The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-09-08
AMOUNT DOUBLED


II was decided yesterday that the city
VIII double the public library appropria-
ton. making the total $4,000 but this will
compel another library deficit and mem
bers of the city council finance commit
tee say they will use their influence TO
raise the needed amount by private SUBJ
scription.
The Joint committee on finance has had
task of no inconsiderable magnitude in
making mp its report upon the approprfa-
ton for the next fiscal year which will
be presented to the common council on
Monday evening next
One of the most Interesting discussions
came on the estimates for the City Hall
departments, which were sent to the city
council last March by the city auditor
and II was realized by the committee that
IL would be impossible TO recommend all
the funds asked for, and this due to the
fact that the amount available for appro-
priations is less by $4,000 than il was last
year, as result OF the reduction OF the
tax rate from s1.65 to s1eO.
The committee unanimously voted how
ever, TO give the additional appropria tion
to the Public Library. The trustees of the
library asked the city for $50 900 In place
OF $4,000, which Is now set aside for thai
purpose, but the committee could not see
it's way TO appropriate so large a sum. 7.
unanimously voted by the committee on
finance TO recommend that the appropria-
ton for the Public Library be increased
to $4,000 this year, with the hope that
the sum might be still further increased
next year.
After the meeting Of the committee
some OF the members talked over the
matter OF the Public Library. and the
general opinion was one of regret that the
alI
the library. which each member recog-
nized as being most fully worthy of all
the support that the city could possibly
afford.
Councilman Benjamin w Sphinx Of the
committee volunteered his services as an
advocate among business and profession
al men I'm order to raise fund I'm behalf
OF the library. which the city at present
was unable TO furnish, and said this
morning, to a News reporter:
II am very anxious TO see the Provi-
dence Public Library on n sound financial
footing, and as a committee on finance
we did all that we possibly could do. III
more money IL needed. I shall be very
glad to use any influence that I may pos
sess towards furthering subscriptions to
make up the amount that the trustees
deem necessary TO conduct the institu-
tion.
"Of course, you understand. | do this
as AN individual and not as member of
the committee, for We could not take ac-
tion OF that sort Councilman Parsons OF
the committee II also willing To- use his
influence among men who are able TO con-
tribute. and. altogether do not think
that the library will suffer"
The News man also called upon Conn
Gilman John w. Angel, chairman OF the
inanoe committee. and he stated that tho
committee had gone just az far as n
possibly could In giving funds for the
Public Library.
"We would all have liked 90 do moro =
said MIR Angel. hut there Is not enough
money an sight 90 allow a. With x3e. zoo
cut of. we have hadLto figure very close.
~ indeed / do not know whether anv
attempt viii be made to raise funds ont
side. but did remark. after fhe commit-
Zee meeting had adjourned. that 4 had
40 doubt that there were men I'm Provi.
dence who would come TO the front lf inc
library ran short of fuhos.v
In speaking OF the general CITY estl-
mates. Chairman Angel said: I'VE were
Obliged 60 scale down some Of the estI.
mates. "a we do IN fact about every wear.
We could easily use "a much larger
amount on highway and on public school
buildings. hut We have not the money.
aud consequently cannot appropriate H."