The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-08
In Addition There Is n Mandatory
Levy of Four Cents, Making the
Total Ninety Cents.
CITY PROPERTY Is RUN DOWN
BANEFUL EFFECTS OF THE LOW
LEVY MADE BY TAGGART.
Departments Ask for S214,OOO More
This Year than Last-Finance
Committee To-Day.

Mayor Bookwalter will send his annual
message to a special meeting of the Coun-
Gil tonight. and in ii he will recommend
that the tax levy for direct city purposes
be placed at Sc cents. In addition, there
is a mandatory levy of cents-2 cents for
the sinking fund and / cent each for the
fire and police force pension funds-thus
making a total chargeable against the tax
duplicate 80 cents on each 800. Ninety
cents is the maximum allowed by the State
Constitution, and this is the first time since
the adoption of the charter that it has
been reached.
The reasons for the increase, however,
are a matter of municipal history. The
pernicious influence of the famous Taggart
50-cent levy has so deteriorated city prop
erty and contracted the progress of the
city along lines where ii had made distinct
and notable advances that increased in
come is necessary to enable the admin!stra-
ton to properly discharge its responsible
ties. The administration regards the pres
ent increase the logical balancing Of
accounts on account of the 59-cent levy,
which was far below what it should have
been. This levy was a campaign maneuver,
reckless of its consequences. 1t was uE-
derstood, by even the members of Tag
CARTS official family, as a step full of dire
consequences, but was approved as a po-
litical expedient The Taggart adminIstra-
ton expected to be able to continue the
policy of meeting current expenses out Of
funds borrowed for other purposes, but was
prevented by Republican Council.
Mayor Bookwalter came into office facing
bills unpaid amounting to SCI, 900 and tenn
porary loans aggregating s195, 900, with only
$4,000 to meet them. 1t has required the
closest economy to transact this years
business without increasing the burden of
floating debt. There has been evident ever
since he took office a startling deteriora-
ton In the city property. particularly
bridges, and to restore the city to its
proper condition a large increase in rev.
enue was necessary. This was not pop
ular policy, but the mayor had first in
mind the complete restoration of the city s
physical condition. He feels that the in
| crease asked will be sufficient to put the
| city in the first rank of American mu-
inequalities, and that its results will be
| the community. Where the Taggart ad-
| ministration sought to deceive by a false
| economy Mayor Bookwalter seeks to make
| clear that no city may make progress and
provide safety and comfort without being
able to provide a sufficient revenue and
then living within it.
ESTIMATES OF DEPARTMENTS.
The estimates of the departments ask
in the aggregate for appropriations max
| ing an increase over last year of s214,0 OO OF
/ this amount about $4,000 will be for the
| use of the department of Public Safety in
| providing for the equipment and manning
of the new engine houses to be built in
| Irvington and on South East street and
other necessary improvements; also the ad-
dition of seven new patrolmen. The Board
| of Health will require about $4,000 ad-
| ditional for new wing at the City Hospi-
| tai and the maintenance of the new con-
| tagious disease hospital and detention hos
| pital The Park Board will receive about
| $4,000 additional The remainder, amount.
ing TO over $4,000 will be distributed
| Public Works for such purposes street
cleaning, repairs of permanently improved
| streets, water rentals, electric gas anC
gasoline lighting, bridges, the building OF
| two engine houses, roofing the exposed
| space at the East market, and many Other
| important items
The administration had expected to sub
| sist during the year on a total levy of 8
cents, but found that Sc cents would b,
necessary to provide for all the needs. Ac
companying the estimates tonight Their,
will be ordinances fixing the tax levy anS
making the appropriations.
Chairman Wynne, Of the council finance
committee, has called a meeting of tn
committee for this afternoon to conside
the boulevard bond ordinance While h
believes the committee will agree to :
favorable report, ii will not be presente,
tonight, since in the special call thi
business is not included.