Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-08-20
POLICE COMMITTEE
NET LAST EVENING
But DID NOT PASS UPON THE
PLANS FOR THE NEW CITY
woRkHOUSE.
TALK OF REFUNDING SCHEME
Consumed n Great Deal of the Time
spent by the Committec-Mnyor
sweeney Explains Why the city
is in Debt. and states That One
of Two Things Must be Done.
Committee Meets Again Tonight.

The Council police committee met last
night for the purpose OF receiving
the report of the subcommittee pre-
yiously appointed to examine the plans
for the proposed new city workhouse.
The committee was not ready to re-
port, but will do so at another meet
ing to be held this evening.
Incidental to the purpose for which
the meeting was called. an interesting
discussion was precipitated by the sug-
gestion of DIR. A. NJ Haskins that the
police force should be increased. Mem
bers of the committee all agreed with
him. The suggestion was made that
there should be at least one officer to
each 900 of population, and one mem
Der thought il should be one TO each
S00 IL was stated that Wheeling's
police force is not only inadequate, but
small In comparison with other cities.
The present force consists of 80 men.
This force not only handles the $4,000
people who comprise the resident popu-
lation, but an average of 5000 to 10000
transients who argument the popula-
ton daily.
Mayor Sweeney pointed out the i'm
possibility of securing an increase in
tDlS uCDdi tmtnNy WHiit thG SitJ 10 al ~
present financial condition. Incident
ally, he dwelt upon the practices in
making both ends meet in the estimates
and appropriations in the various de-
partments He accounted for the ex-
istenee of drafts in transitu, which are
really the citys promissory notes, by
the custom of stretching the estimated
revenues to such point as TO cover
estimated expenditures which zeal for
the efficiency of the various departments
places too high. The result Is debts
which must be provided for in the next
years appropriations.
This has been practiced for years,
and possibly the needs of the municipal
government have justified 1t. To-day,
however, the city is confronted with a
financial condition which forces the ac-
ceptance of one of two propositions.
either a direct levy to provide ;nore
funds, or the adoption of refundlag
ordinance to extend the time of matur-
ity of the city's debts, with reduction
in the rate of interest. Mayor Sweeney
was of opinion that much of the oppo-
sition to the refunding of the clty's
debt, is due to lack OF familiarity with
exisong conditions.
DIR. Haskins and others took part In
the discussion. DR.. Haskins oppoged
the idea of buying the plant of the
Wheeling Electrical Company, feature
of the proposed refunding ordinance
which has by tacit common consent
been abandoned. He spoke of the ten
dency to use private plants, which ne
thought would place In jeopardy in the
not distant future. the financial success
of any general electric light and power
enterprise. Independent of this con-
viction, he was opposed to the pur-
chase because he felt that the city
would be asked to pay an extravagant
sum for well worn machinery.
Another member of the committee as
serted that the city will never buy the
plant of the Wheeling Electrical Con-
pany, because the price, even If fixed by
arbitration, will be too high to be seri-
ously considered.
The committee drifted into a discus
sion of the recent carnival, and it was
stated that the difference between the
revenue from licenses, and the cost OF
extra police, represented an expense to
the city of about $500.
The committee adjourned to meet
again this evening.