Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-03-13


department, when the city treasury
is so badly depleated. He referred
to sections 260s and 27D2 of the Re
vised Statutes, which restrict the
amount of money that may be cxpend-
ed for improvements in any particular
department to the adequate tax re-
sources Of the department, or the sup
| ply Of funds on hand Mr.. Clerkin
was also desirous of knowing why the
expenses of conducting the fire de-
partment had advanced SO steadily
and rapidly in recent years. He said
that in 1880 the annual expenses ag-
gregated only $4,000 while for 1929
they summed up to $4,000, and would
reach $4,000 for the present year.
Mr.. Clerkin also compared the expense
of conducting Akron's fire department
with that Of other cities in Akron's
class, comparing $4,000 with Cantons
fire department expense Of $4,000, aud
Youngstown's S2S,00O. He claims
that indications are that the expense
of conducting the local fire department
will soon reach 100000 annually, IL
a remedy is not found. Mr.. Clerkin
also says that there are $4,000 not
yet accounted for in reports submitted
of the fire department
The speaker expressed the opinion
that Akron's valuation, to be fixed by
the new apprnisomcnt would not reach
the anticipated S2o,o00,ooo, but tnat
$1S,00o,0OO would he good.
Mr. Ficbeger explained that it was
always good investment 10 provide
protection for property, and he used
Illustrations to show how greatly Ak
ron would be loser did some OF Its
large manufacturing establishments
burn down by reason of inadequate
equipment for fighting fire. He said
that the law had been complied with
in every detail in the preparation OF
the ordinance to issue bonds, and that
If such bond Issue were authorized,
there would be found no legal defect
about It,
Mr.. Paul said:
,.iy,.r tl,.a.r Act T,f O.
ing the efficiency of the Fire Depart
nent was submitted to the people and
was carried by a vote of nearly two to
one. voted for 1t in the Council be-
cause am in favor of submitting these
questions to the people. voted against
1t at the polls because there was no
way provided for the payment of the
debt. Mr. Fiebegers bill obviates this
difficulty. am no wiser than the peo
pie who have sent me here and am al
ways willing to give them what they
want. They have said they want this
protection. What excuse can we make
IL We fail to obey them. Every Coun- !
Gilman, | think, recognizes that We
cannot hire man or buy n thing for
the fire department.. That rests, under
our present system of government,
with the Commissioners. We believe
that expenses have been unnecessarily
high. We can, however, only act
through the law as we find 1t. We
cannot govern the city by injunctions.
We must act through the Commits
sioner law until it is repealed. 1t Is
costly, inefficient, and un-democratic,
but until the people demand it's repeal
they must pay the bill. We cannot re-
fuse to give them light, police, and fire
protection simply because the Commits
cral affairs of the city in the interests
of economy. If the Commissioners
neglect their duties it Is no excuse for
MS to neglect our Obligations. The
Councilmen have repeatedly and almost
continuously fought against this ex-
travagance, but political influences
and dead-locks have made 1t impossi-
bic to accomplish anything. The Board
of Commissioners has appeared to
Council of late years to be organized
and controlled more in the interests
of politicians and the privileged inter
ests than for the benefit of the people
who pay the taxes. These abuses will
continue until the people determine to
do away with them
MI. Fiebeger said; Il heartily sec
ond Mr. Pauls remarks. Council hasn't
power to spend a dollar for anything.
| have been consured by newspaper,
after calling for statement of the ex-
penses of the Fire Department, for not
knowing what those expenses were
without the asking, but want to say
that as chairman Of the fire committee
wasn't consulted in any matter by
the Commissioners regarding eSpendi-
lures for the fire department. It
looks as though the Commissioner law
had been made by man who expected