The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-04
His Annual Message to the Body, the
Tax Levy and Estimates to be
Considered.
LEVY TO BE FIXED AT SO CENTS
A TOTAL REVENUE OF $1,45O, 900
WILL BE AVAILABLE.
Estimates Of Necessary Appropria-
tions Prepared by the Various De-
partments for the Year.

Mayor Bookwalter will call a special
meeting of the Council either for to-mor-
row night or Monday night to receive his
annual message, the city's budget and tax
levy for 1903. The estimates were practically
settled before the mayor went away on his
vacation trip. but he took them. in their
biggest items, with him for more careful
and less interrupted study. AS a result he
will probably recommend in his message
that the revenue needed by the city for
next year to carry out the estimated ex-
penses will require tax levy of IS cents
on each 500 of taxable property.
In considering and deciding on the ap-
propriatjons Mayor Bookwalter and the
heads of his departments have been guided
by the actual necessities of the city, in
keeping with it's progress and dignity, and
the tax levy is the result of what is deemed
necessary. Material increases will be asked
for most of the larger demands of the city
except increases in salary, the administra-
tion providing for none, even the firemen's
proposed increase not being included. The
administration of Controller Breunig makes
it possible for the city to close this year
without making temporary loan and the
levy also anticipates the payment of every
expense from current revenues and the
complete absence of need for a tempor-
ary loan.
Mayor Bookwalter says he believes the
people of Indianapolis want such improve
ments as are needed and want to pay for
them as they get them. In that spirit he
has guided the making of expenses for next
year The increases asked are for general
benefit and within the scope of municipal
progress One of the largest increases will
be for cleaning and repairing improved
streets.
FAR FROM SATISFIED.
'T am far from satisfied" said the mayor,
with the street cleaning it has been
done. But il we had ordered additional
sweepings during the summer We would
have so reduced the amount available for
this work that when winter came we
would have no funds to take care of the
snow and ice in the streets. Another thing:
| believe that 1t is unjust to ask the peo-
pie who have paid for pavements. at the
end of the ten-year guarantee period, or
even before it. to again go In their pockets
and pay for resurfacing them. For these
two reasons a material increase will be
asked in both funds so that the city NAV
have clean streets at all seasons and so
that when pavements begin to break they
may be Immediately repaired at the ex-
pense of the city and not the property own
ers.
The appropriations for the Department
of Public Safety will include provisions
for two new engine houses. one in Irving
ton and another on South East street and
additional appropriations 60 the payroll
TO take care of manning their equipment
also TO provide for building a roof over the
exposed market stands at Alabama and
Market streets.
The appropriations. for the Department
of Public Works will carry material in
creases for water, lighting and bridges.
The water appropriation will provide for
an adequate supply for Irvington and other
annexed territory and excentions in the
old territory. The appropriation for light
will carry an increase over this year of
about s25 900. which will provide adequat ately
for Irvington. Tuxedo and otheS parts
needing light. II is the idea that july i
1903, the city will become the beneficiary OF
greatly reduced prices per lamp The rate
is now $s5 per year and the mayor expects
a decrease of from SIS TO $50 I'm the price 10
be bid next July. Through his argument
with the Indianapolis Light and Power