The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-01-14
POOR Mr.. PARKER
Topeka's New Mayor Faces a
Bankrupt City Treasury.
About $4,000 Unpaid War
rants in the Banks.
THROTTLE WIDE OPEN.
Mayor Hughes Administration
Stopped Not at Expenses.
Incurred Nearly $4,000 of Ad-
diti0nal Liabilities.
PLEA FOR ECONOMY.
Mr.. Parker Says That There
Must Be Retrenchment.
Expenses of the City Must Be
Curtailed.
Mayor Hughes Administration
Stopped Not at Expenses.
Incurred Nearly $4,000 of Ad-
diti0nal Liabilities.
PLEA FOR ECONOMY.
Mr.. Parker Says That There
Must Be Retrenchment.
Expenses of the City Must BE
Curtailed.

1.-The thing which worries me great
deal more than my appointments" said
Mayor Parker today, lis the financial
condition of the city To straighten out
the finances will probably be the great
est problem of my administration"
And there is reason for Mayor Par
ker's apprehension. The finances of the
city are in deplorable condition, and
We're rendered still worse by the wild
extravagances of the Hughes admins
tration.
Under Col. Hughes eight months of
power, the city took upon itself nearly
$4,000 in obligations which were all
extras" and were largely due to in
creases in salaries paid, and in special
employees hired.
At the present time, the city owes to
the various banks of Topeka nearly
S25. 600, which is drawing interest at 6
per cent. This enormous debt has been
piled up because of lack of city money
to pay current expenses. Some warrants
which date back for months are still
held by the banks. City Treasurer Hale
states that a few days ago he took up
city warrant for $4,000 which had been
drawing interest at one of the banks
for over a year.
Treasurer Hale was asked for an ex-
act statement of the city's financial
condition, but said:
Il am unable to give statement at
the present time, because do not know
just how much money is due from the
county or how much money the city
owes to the banks. Anything l might
say would be simply guess work l ex-
pect this week to receive from the coun-
ty clerk enough money to take up all
the city warrants outstanding and have
probably $4,000 left on hand to pay
current expenses"
1t is estimated that the S25, 900 which
the city will get as its share from the
county will pay the city's current ex-
penses for four or five months. The in
terval from April, when the city's mon
ey will run out, and July. when the sec
ond installment of taxes will come in
from the county. will have to be pro-
vided for by the help of the banks.
The following are some of the ap-
proximate annual increases in expendi-
lures contracted for by the Hughes ad-
ministration:
Mayor salary, increased from 5000
TO Sl5OO -----.-.---.------.$ 600
Salary of twelve counciImen. in
creased from $50 to $2O0....... 900
Extra help for city attorney y... 200
Attorneys in waterworks case. 5000
w. A. S. Bird. Vinewood Park case
CprObably) ...... . 500
City attorneys office force. in
crease ----::..--. .---.-.---..-.-. 24O
Salary of police judge, increased
from $500 to $3.50. $50
Board of health. extra salaries
Board of health, city dump ex-
penses. not ordered by city,. 300
Sewer inspector. new job.... $50
Increase pay. city engineers force. 120
Increase pay, electric light force. 300
Increase pay, police force (abouO ], 500
Total extra expenses of Hughes
auInIllStfaJOn $500 So, $50
This list does not take into account
the unusual number of sanitary men
employed by the board of health, or the
measures pending for an increase in the
pay of the city physician, or the pro-
which will cost over $4,000, and which
Mayor Hughes turned over to Mayor
Parker to finally o. X. To complete the
deal, Mayor Parker must sign. the con-
tract on behalf of the city
1t is believed that Mayor Parker will
advocate reductions in a large number
of the salaries now being paid to CITY
employees Speaking today of possible
reductions, he said:
while recognize that it would be
very proper to pay the city EMPLOYEES
more. 1 think that it is a bad time to
do so now. The city is like an individ-
ual. 1t should curtail its expenses when
1t is hard up, instead of fncreasin -
them. l don't believe in buying things
that can't be paid for. I have some
pride. naturally, in having this city
make a good financial showing. 7
think that people in general recognize
that my interest in Topeka is sufficient
to guarantee that l will not adopt
policies which will hurt the city I want
my record as mayor to be one which I
can look back uDon with satisfaction
/ never expect TO be a candidate for
another public office"