The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-21
FOR morn: LIBERIA
APPROX RIA 'lIION|S.
The Budget Provides for a Large
Increase.
GAS DEPARTMENTS 7 At me NEEDS.
city Engineer Asks Tor More Than
nlilIion-W Office Is Modest in
Its Isrquest-NIoney to Build
Jail-Mus:c III tic Parks.
DEPARTMENTS NEEDS.

From what can be cleaned in genera
conversation with Counclimen, anu liiel l
bers of the Finance Committee IN part1cu-
lar, the budget this year Will give the
most complete satisfaction. finance S ~.
roitteemen will do little talking, but tney
90 SO far as to intimate that the result
of their labors III this respect will prove
erninently satisfactory.
1t was stated by a. leading member Oh
the Finance Committee last night that the
departments would receive Increased ap,
propriations over those of last year All
of them will not get what they asked 1ot,
but it is evident from what can be learned
that the figures will not disappoint them.
WHAT SOME ASKED FOR.
For instance, the City Engineers De-
partment has aked for the following
amounts: Streets, sewers, sidewalks ana
bridges, s., OF 1880; grounds and build
ings, inclusive of Jail, SS4, 651; James RlEer
Improvement, $4,000; Shockoe Creek, So
0oO This department will not get this
much money. Last year the approprla-
lions for streets was $50, 600; for sewers,
$4,000; of this sum, and that for other
departments in the Engineers Office $l.-
COO was turned back unused into tho
treasury.
The Gas Department asks for S2O2,3O0, Of
when :.4,.JJ IS Il be used for 24-lnch
connection pipe that is badly needed to
connect the two gas houses, and thus give
the city better supply Of gas. The
amount will probably be given, as 1t is
scarcely in excess of last years appro-
priation, q portion of which was turned
back.
The Water Department asks for the
modest sum of $4,000. a large portion of
which goes to improvements and mainte-
nance of the canal in connection with the
pump-house. This amount will very like
ly be given.
The appropriations for streets and sew
ers will hardly be less than Sis, 600, which
will include a slice for Lee District.
So that it is clearly seen that with an
increase all along the. line. the work in
the various departments will so on with
increased viSor.
ClTY'S FINANCIAL CONDITION.
1.-THE financial condition Of the city is
better than it ever has been,' said a
members of the Finance Committee yes
terday. While l am not at liberty to
disclose the figures in the budget that
was finished UP by the Finance Commit
tee last night, I can say that the appro-
priations are much larger than ever be-
fore.
Each department Of the city govern
ment has received the best of attention
by increased appropriations, in the very
face of the fact that the receipts from
real estate taxes were less by $4,000
than it was last year, because of a de-
crease in the assessments, and because
of the great amount of real estate that
has been purchased by the railroads.
The increase over last year is more
than $150,O00, and there is no suggestion
as to the issue of bonds 20 cover any
appropriation. Of course some of the de-
partments asked for more money than
we could give, but the departments do
this regularly, and some of them do not
expect to get all they a.slk for.
''In view of the fact that nearly every
department returned a part of their APP
preparation last year. it is most encour-
aging to them that an increase over that
is given. The Streets Department will
get a magnificent sum, and Lee District
is provided for, and with careful eXpendi-
lures, which I am sure each department
will exercise, the appropriations will
prove OF vast benefit to the city.
MUSIC IN THE PARKS.
1.-THE parks will be provided for and the
recommendation of an appropriation of
100000 for the new Jail is included IN the
budget, and there will be music in the
parks
The city is practically out of debt
and no new debts are being incurred
while the city officials and the heads of
the various departments deserve great
CTedlC LOT the manner IN winch they nave
performed their dutes.'
Last year the appropriations amounted
to $1,Q54,000 With the increase, as the
committeeman said, of more than $4,000
this year. the total amount of money APP
propriated this year will be between ST.
20000 and 100000 This money, with the
exception of the special Jail appropria-
til ms.
THE reason we can afford to be so
liberal this year. said one of the fl
nance committeeman. SIS because of the
fact that the departments have more than
lived within their appropriations, thus in
creasinS the amount OF money on hand
year by year."
The budget is locked up in the City
Auditors safe, sacred to the view Of any
but the Finance Committee, until it shall
be handed over to the Council at the
called meeting next Monday night Not
one member Of the Council aside from
those o., the Finance Committee, knows
the contents of the proposed budget, and
the idea of that committee is to Keep
them from an acquaintance with it until
it Is offered for adoption.
rsrR,5r Nsn-