The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-12

The conference committee yesterday
approved the city comptroller's mu-
nicipal expense list for 1904 to the ex-
tent of $2,591,3OO The total amount
provided by Mr.. Betz is S2,715,30O
All charter funds for which limit
is provided were approved without
question.
On the recommendation of the school
board $4,000 was cut from the item
for schools and the total for that de-
partment fixed at $4,000.
An item of $4,000 for crosswalks
was increased to $4,000, and one of
$4,000 for recoupment of bank losses
was cut to $4,000.
New Fund Is Created.
At the instance of City Engineer
Rundlett a new fund, to be known as
the betterment fund, was created and
$50 placed to it's credit
The uncompleted portions of the
budget will be considered Friday aft
ernoon.
All of yesterday afternoon was given
over by the conference committee TO
the consideration of Mr.. BetZ's figures
and considerable work was accom-
plished. Not an outsider appeared IN
support of q favored appropriation.
While a number of the funds re-
ceived close scrutiny from the mem
bers. the principal matter to receive
their attention was the general fund.
One item in this department was lop-
ped to the extent of $1,000, but this
was partly offset by the add1tlon OF
SIS, 900 to another.
For the Improvement Of the city
markets Comptroller BetZ had set aside
$50, 900, but opposition was made TO the
figures by Assemblyman Schurme1er.
He thought the simple paving of the
new addition to the market would be
sufficient for awhile. The item was
laid over until the market committee
could be heard from.
For the maintenance and betterment
of the public baths $4,000 was speci-
fed. but no action was taken because
of the absence of Health Commits
sioner Ohage. The sentiment display
ed indicated a desire to cut 1t.
Fund to Cover Illegal Bond Issue.
A movement which seemed to have
general support from the members was
to place $4,000 to the credit of street
intersection account in addition to
$40. 900 specified by Mr.. Betz. This adj
dition was to care for the proposed
matchmaking of West Seventh street
from Tuscarora to Fort Smelling, out
final action was not taken because the
board Of public works had not figured
out the assessment district. rms ap-
preparation was considered mer1torlouS
and was approved by nearly all of the
committee. The appropriation is to be
in lieu of 10000 worth of bonds au-
thoriZed by the legislature, but which
| the legal department considers 1lle-
! gal.
Only $4,000 had been called for by
Mr.. Betz for sewers, and this brought
a lively protest from City Engineer
entirely inadequate. He declared that
| every section Of the city was suffering
because of inadequate sewer service,
| but his protest fell on deaf ears. The
! members insisted on Mr.. Betz's fig
ures.
An attempt was made to cut an item
| of $4,000 for unforeseen expenses,
but it failed.
To Recoup on Bank Losses.
For the recoupment of about $685.
| coo in losses suffered by the failure OF
| the Germania and other banks, Comp
| troller Betz provided $4,000, but the
amount was not allowed to stand. As
semblyman Schurmeier wanted it re-
| duced to $4,000 and compromise was
| finally effected by making the amount
| $4,000. An appropriation is to be
made each year until the full amount
| is satisfied.
Several items, among them the wa
| ter department, city hall and court
house and other funds, were passed
| over because of the absence of the par
| ties interested. One of these was an
| item of $4,000 for the water depart
ment. President Doran, Of the water
| board, wanted the amount increased
| to provide for the payment of fire
hydrant rent, but the members did
| not seem favorable to the project. It
| was laid over.
An item of $4,000 to aid in the pur-
chase of the triangular block in front
| of the new federal building was pro-
posed, but no action was taken.
The committee will try and complete
| it's consideration of the budget Friday