The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1902-03-27
Aldermen are Considering Redue-
ton in the Fund for the Gilbert
M. Simmons Library.
MANY in FAVOR OF INCREASE.
But Some of the Aldermen Hold That the
Financial Condition of the City War
rants ONLY the Tax Agreed to.


bers Of the City Council Of reducing
the amount allowed by the city for the
maintainence of the Gilbert M. Sim
mons Library and on this account the
appropriation of $1,000, as provided for
last year, has been held up for short
time pending an investigation on the
part of the finance committee into the
funds of the library. The appropria-
ton will undoubtedly be made for this
year, but it is possible that the mem
bers of the council will insist on the
tax for the library being held strictly
within the one mill tax in succeeding
years. This action is not to be taken
with the idea of pinching the library,
but SOL of the aldermen seem to
think that there are so many demands
on the exchecquer of the city that
every cent possible must be saved.
Should the contemplated action OF
the council be taken it is certain to
cause a howl of indignation in the
city. The one mill tax demanded by the
agreement between Mr.. Simmons and
the city is probably all that the city
could be forced TO pay, but at the same
time there are few If any uses of the
city moneys from which the people re-
ceive so grand a benefit, and the
movement of the aldermen to reduce
the amount should meet with frown
of encouragement.
The tax as now levied for library
purposes amounts to about one and
one-third mills. With this income last
year the library board managed to pay
all it's expenses, but with. the growth
of the library and the demand for
books on the part Of the people Of the
city it will be necessary for the
librarian to have further assistance
and if the fund is reduced it will be al.
most impossible for the directors to
make the library what it should be.
While the appropriation asked is but
$500 above the mill tax, this amount
means great deal to the library and
without it the directors would be hard
pushed for funds to supply the actual
demands of the library.
It is given out by some Of the alder
men that the reduction would only be a
temporary one and that it is possible
that the financial condition of the city
will allow an increase in another year.
It is also urged that with a reassess-
ment of the property of the city the
amount of taxable property in Keno
sha will be doubled and with this
amount returned the one mill tax levy
would furnish the library with an
annual income of $4,000.
The aldermen should take into con.
sideration the work that has been done
by the Kenosha library. In all parts
of the state gifts are being received
from Andrew Carnegie, the under.
standing being that the people provide
10 per cent of the gift annually. Mr..
Simmons has spent more than $3.50, OO(
in building and eqdipping the Kenoshs
library and should he ask of the city Z
10 per cent appropriation the amount
would be more than six times the
paltry sum that is now being given fol
the support of the library.
When the matter comes before thu
council at their last regular meeting {
week from next Monday evening Their,
is sure to be hot discussion andA it il
to be hoped that the friends of tn,
library will be able to prevent any
reduction in the fund.