Evening journal., 1902-11-29
AGAIN AFTER
TAX COLLECTORS
City Auditor John Boughman
Says That the Delinquent
List is Incomplete
SENT LETTER TO CITY COUNCIL

CITY Auditor John Bcughman, in q
letter to City Council last night, plainly
expressed himself regarding the con-
dition of the city's finances, and the
cause Of a depleted treasury. He sug-
gested that immediate measures should
be taken to compel the city tax collec-
tors to make an early settlement for
all outstanding taxes particularly for
the years 1896, 1897 and 1898, to relieve
the financial predicament which at
present prevails. The following is a
copy OF the communication
ITO the Hon. President and Members
of City Council.
Gentlemen: | again respectfully call
TO your attention the amount OF taxes
lyet unsettled for by the collectors for
the years 1896. 1897, 1898, 1899. 1900.
1901 The amount in the aggregate, in
round numbers, is $1,000 less, OF
course. any error lists which may be
lallowed over $4,000 of this amount
is for the years 1896. '97, '9S.
last September the collectors pub
lished that which they termed a full
list of taxes outstanding for the year
1901 Such lists amounted to between
$4,000 and $1,000. yet they have, since
September 1902, deposited to the
credit of 1901 taxes, over $4,000, and
at the present time there are taxesunset-
| tied for that year of over $4,000 So
| you will observe that the lists as pub
iished were far from being complete.
For the year 1902 there is at the
present time taxes outstanding of over
1913 900, which, however, do not become
delinquent until September 1, 1908.
THAT the collectors have been al
lowed to run so long without being
obliged to make a settlement with the
! city for the years 1896, 81, '9S, 80 is
not right; and ] respectfully suggest
that they be required to make a settle.
ment for those years at an early date
and particularly for the years 1896
81, '9S, without delay.
Is It any wonder that the Council
when near the close of each fiscal year
! for the past three years, has been
Obliged to borrow temporarily from
bank, thousands of dollars, when the
tax collectors have been allowed to dc
as they pleased and practically made
a football of the finances of the city
when great portion of it should have
long since found its way to the city
Treasury? Respectfully,
John Boughman, City Auditor"
Among the many bills ordered pait
were the following; Miscellaneous pay
roll, s2,169.69 Council payroll fol
month of November s275.26; polio,
payroll for the same period, S5,SSL36
r.. c.. Harman and II. II. Ward, fol
legal services, $500.
Councilman Stewart objected to the
payment of the last amount. taking the
lsame stand he did several months ago
His objections, however, were over
ruled, and the account ordered paid
Tax Collectors Clerks Harry ]. Gillii
land Owen j. Hession were also allow
ed S55 each.
The monthly report of City Cow
lClerlz John II. Neary showed tina
lS44705 had been collected for fines an,
costs i'm October, and $40 for unclaim
ed witness fees during September
City Treasurer Feaster reported I
balance i'm bank to current expenses o
S67 ,12O.5O and $4,000 in each of tn
-four depository banks; receipts from
Eugene NJ. Sayers on account Of take
for the years of 1898, 1900, 1901 an,
1902, $500; from Collector Lewis, $500
flor taxes in 1900, and 1925 from Georg
ia. Mccall for 1902.