The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-09
improvements to City Hospital and
tionaI Light and Water Charges.
STATEMENT OF CONTROLLER
RECOMMENDS APPROPRIATIONS AG-
GREGATING s1,416, Also.
Biggest Item II the Board of Public
Works, which Gets $e29, ,ssO-Es-
Inmates I'm Detail.

The first annual message Of Mayor Book
walter to the Council was received by that
body last night. The message is largely
an explanation OF the immediate necessity
for higher tax levy than has been made
before and the purposes for which the ad-
ditional revenue is to bo expended. The
message in full is as follows:
To the President and Members Of the
honor to submit herewith an estimate or
the amounts OF money required for the use
of the various departments of the city
government for the fiscal year commence
been prepared after consultation with the
city controller and the various boards
o. these figures will show that the total
revsnues estimated TO be necessary aggre-
gaze 81, ,416, so, being increase IN the
am, INT 20 be raised by taxation and from
othe- sources during the ensuing year OF
s213,901 over the amount levied during the
year 1902, provided for in the levy made
In september, 1901.
II Is with a feeling of considerable re-
luctance that / have brought myself TO
approve this increase and TO recommend
TO your honorable body that tax levy
or SO cents on each hundred dollars of tax
able property and 30 cents on each poll be
laid for city purposes for the ensuing year;
but 1 am satisfied that careful study
and review of the condition of the city
treasury which prevailed in October, 1901
at the commencement of the present ad-
ministration, will satisfy every believer In
good government that the time has come
In indianapolis for change in the finan-
cial policy which prevailed prior TO
said date / have always been. and am
now, believer in the lowest possible tax
. alton consistent with good business man.
agement, and consider 1t the duty OF every
public official charged with the expenditure
and economy In such expenditure as he
would IL he were disbursing his own funds.
firmly believe that the people have the
right TO look TO their representatives, not
only for an economical discharge OF their
duties, but TO exercise the utmost caution
In increasing in any way the naturally
onerous burdens Of taxation; but | have
never been an advocate of the policy of
borrowing to-day To meet current ex-
penses and obligations of Tomorrow thus
not only spending the substance of to-
day, but mortgaging the. future. There
must always come a day of reckoning
believe that 1t is the best policy for a
municipality TO be managed like any other
business enterprise. and IL would not be
considered good business management for
any corporation or mercantile establish
ment TO borrow money to meet current ex-
penses rather than .curtail dividends TO
stockholders. call upon such stock
holders to advance funds sufficient to
maintain the solvency of the enterprise
THE PAST SIX YEARS.
In October. 1895, at the commencement of
the six years above mentioned. there was
unpaid city obligations outstanding. other
than incidental bills for the previous
month. and no part of the taxes due the
month following in any way anticipated.
During the succeeding six years not only
were all the revenues expended but re-
peated bond issues made for the purpose of
making those necessary improvements
which should have been provided for in the
TO- -
the same time all kinds of city property
were allowed to deteriorate. In addition to
the expenditure of all these moneys Sc
cured by bond issues and all of the cash
balance turned over in October 1895 the
present city administration found upon
taxing possession of the city's business in
OCTOBER. 1901, temporary loans standing
a mortgage upon the taxes to be secured
from the people in the succeeding month
aggregating about Sls5.OOo. sum which
almost consumed the entire amount of
taxes which would then become avaiIahle
with 10000 of unpaid city obIigations then
due, and with but $4,000 balance In the city
treasury.
In addition to this all kinds of citv nron-
erty were found TO be in seriously deteri-
GRATED condition. Every bridge across
hriad MniIe river: witt with the exception of the
avenue, were found to be dangerous and
to-day all such bridges are being made
lures The Virginia-avenue y,sdnnt sdrus-
through long continued neglect. having
been allowed to go for years without even
TO be In such condition that large sum of
money should be spent upon IL Immediately
to prevent the possibility of serious
calamity. The same condition prevailed
with the viaduct across Noble street one
side of which is closed to the public The
bridges spanning Pogue's run and other
waterways. with few exceptions. were
found to be In a dangerous condition and
are to-day held in position by proDs and
other expedlents. while the culverts i'm all
ten and unsafe. The channel OF Pogue's
run was found 10 be foul from the north
ern line Of the city TO its outlet in White
river, not a dollar having been spent in
cleaning IL or placing IL in sanitary con-
dtsion since 1897.
CITY HOSPITAL NEEDS.
The equipment OF the City Hospital and
Dispensary In the way OF horses and ambu-
lances was found TO be practically worth
less. while no provision had been made
to furnish the addition to the City
Hospital. nor for the completion and prep
aration for occupancy of either of the
three engine houses. for the construction
of which n bond issue had been made. all
OF such appropriation having been spent
without placing such houses In fit condi-
tion for use. In neither OF these houses was
any plumbing provided. approaches made,
fences constructed or the necessary out
buildings erected.
This condition prevailed with all city
property and IL has required the utmost
economy on the part OF the present ad-
ministration TO carry on the business of the
city without the adoption OF extraordin-
AIRY measures 10 raise revenues.
I believe that the day of reckoning before
mentioned has come; that II Is time for
the people OF the city Of indianapolis 10
stop and take an inventory: that IL Is time
for II TO be determined whether or not
the policy which has obtained OF placing
the tax levy az figure wholly Inadequate
10 care for the city's needs and borrow
<sx from tirsf ~ue to make good the