The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-19

The common council met last evening
per adjournment and disposed Of the tax
rate question In a manner that was haru-
ly expected, as after the strong showing
made by the friends OF the N.6o rate AT
the previous meeting when they were
In the majority II was thought that the
old rate would be continued.
But the result OF thefv fixed the rate
at y.e5, so far as the council Is concern
ed.
President Kendrick called the council
to order. Councilmen Massie, Nicholson
and Rawson being the absentees.
The committee on claims reported rec
ommend.nR a resolution to pay Olivia i.
Park and George W. Park the sum OF
s4oO In settlement of their claim for com
pensation for injuries sustained by Olivia
I. Park. passed.
The monthly report Of the city auditor
was received and ordered communicated
10 the board of aldermen.
. The committee on highways reported
| the following resolutions:
Resolution 10 lay out Algonquin street.
Resolution requesting the boarda or al
| dermen TO establish Rosedale street as
| q public highway. the same having been
decided TO the city
Also resolution authorizing the COM
missioner OF public works 10 use either
granite blocks. asphalt or bituminous
macadam for paving the roadway OF
! Branch avenue from Veazie street t.
the bridge near Vandewater street.
Report upon the petitions of Alfred
I Caldwell ct al. to lay out and extend
Lillian avenue; William n. Harris ct al
to Law ont Fifeld avenue. and also upor
the petition of. Henry Whelan 10 move
a building.
Mr.. Balch moved that the reports of the
committee on highways be laid on tho
table temporarily; passed.
TAX RATE TAKEN UP.
On motion OF Mr Ssson the resolution
providing for the assessment and collec
ton OF taxes was taken from the table
The original resolution called for SIG
rate. which was amended by fixing IL
N.e5.
Councilman Parsons was the hrs
speaker and said that the city could no
be run at the preent rate and Is RUNNING
behind every year He voted for N.B II
the finance committee and should vot
for that amount In the council
Councilman Coffey said he was oppose
to increasing the tax, believing that tn
/. people OF the Tenth ward were opposes
to Il.
Councilman Balch in long speech ad
vocated the sl65 rate He said thar tn
Increase OF fveS cents will simply Civ
enough money TO pay the deficit or for
mer years. and will prevent running be
hind in the year covered by these esti
mates The increase to the individua
taxpayer is small n man now payin
$50. at s1.eo, will pay. II the tax is raise
TO sl.s5. only $50 more, or per cent. @
the amount OF the tax. or $5l.50; IL no'
paying 800, the increase would make
.S163: II i,000. then t.c3O. and so on.
THE city has not been raising none
enough 10 pay It's ordinary running OK
penses and fixed charges for interest an
sinking funds The deficit In 1901 wa
sl2. 900: in 1902 ssi 900; In 1903, there wi
undoubtedly be a deficit This conditio
OF affairs was brought about by unwisc
ly reducing the tax rate. which was SIG
TO the present rate. $50.
THE utmost economy will he necessar
at sls5. but that will provide enoug
money 10 pay what the city Is still be
hind for these amounts must be paid, h
said.
VALUATION TOO HIGH.
The valuation is already too high
almost all instances, he declared an ir