The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-22
The City's Needs Are Growing, He
Says, and the Levy Named Is
Financial Necessity.
PREPARING BUDGET FOR 1903
THE CITY'S TAX DUPLICATE WILL
AMOUNT TO S134, 100000.
Present Administration, Mr.. Book
walter Says, Received Scuttled
Ship from Predecessor.

The city administration, which is now
preparing it's budget for 1903 for the action
of the Council the first Monday in Sep
tember, will ask for a tax levy Of eighty
five cents each 800 of taxables, an in
crease of ten cents. This announcement
was made by Mayor Bookwalter yesterday.
In speaking of the financial problem before
the city the mayor said:
This administration received a ship that
was scuttled. 1t came into authority with
a depleted treasury and deteriorated prop
erty. This condition was caused by the
memorable fifty-nine-cent tax levy of the
preceding administration and the effect of
this act is still felt in all its force. By it
the city los. the income it should have
had from fourteen cents charge against
the taxables, which amounted to more
than $780, 600. Thus crippled, the city was
forced to meet the problem of bridge re-
pairs and reconstruction, the Improvement
of the fire and police departments and the
burdens assumed by annexed territory.
The condition of the citys bridges is well
known. They have been neglected and i'm
properly repaired. when they were repaired
at all and the city has found itself, by rea-
son of the acts of the preceding admins
tration, unable to improve them. We are
now facing needed improvements in the
fire and police departments, because the
apparatus is ruined through past misuse,
and because of the large area of territory
annexed, and a hundred things that the
growth and progress of this city require.
1t would take much time and space TO
state them in detail, but they are pressing
and must be cared for. This administra-
tion has not only had to make up the loss
in revenue caused by the ffty-nine-cent
levy, but has had to carry the burden of
years of neglect of the citys property.
NOT A POPULAR STATEMENT.
Having in mind all the necessities of
the city, L believe that tax levy of eighty
five cents, for all purposes, will be neces-
sary l do not for one moment imagine
that this statement will be a popular one.
l feel it to be my duty regardless of what
ever political or other consideration may
be involved TO say to the people just what
they will have to pay to put the city in
proper business condition. l am willing
to assume all responsibility for this levy
because have confidence in the good com
mon sense of the people and know that
they will understand the situation l want
my successor. whoever he may be. to re-
ceive the city as property that will be in
good condition. which is justly due for the
taxes paid by the people"
Controller Breunig has asked all the
departments of the city to furnish him
with their estimated expenditures for 1903
by Aug. l. 1t is not likely all will be re-
ported TO him by that time. The chief
effort of the controller now is TO provide
enough money to meet and pay all bills
al the end of this year. He is not expect
ing to have balance in the treasury. Last
year the appropriations for the various de-
partments were: