Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-03
WILL SIGN LEVY ORDINANCE
Mayor Mcores Decides to Approve the
Action Of City Council.
crTYs HOPE is TO COLLECT BACK TAXES
T~rensurer HcnninFs Says 100000 of
Delinquent Taxes Can he Col
Iected This Year ~ ~"scaven-
ger" Bill Passes.

Aather than to do something that might
jeopardize the interests OF the city in the
railway tax fight. Mayor Moores has de-
cided to sign the levy ordinance as passed
by the council, fixing the rate at 6.45 mills,
which, added to the school. levy, makes a
total rate OF SIS mills. The mayor has
reached this conclusion after ascertaining
the views Of numerous prominent citizens
and the people generally. Recognizing the
fact that the city will be considerably Grip
pied by short funds, due to the low levy,
he deems'this course more acceptable to the
taxpayers, than to run the slightest FISK
of extending aid to the railroads by re-
turning the ordinance to the council with
his veto attached. He said.
I'm all probability l shall sign the or
dinance today and return 1t to the city
clerk. The sentiment is undoubtedly for
as low a levy as possible and for a de-
termined fight on the railroad tax propo-
sition, and / do not propose to stand in the
way of a public movement, which is just
and right, as this one is.
Funds VIII he short.
How the city is to get along with each
fund thousands Of dollars short l do not
know, but I suppose the only thing to do
is to 60 ahead and take our chances and
do the best we can on an inadequate al
lowance."
The one bright ray OF hope that illumi-
mated the somberness OF the outlook at the
city hall Monday was that the so-called
Nscavenger' bill may be passed by the
legislature. This measure is designed TO
facilitate the collection Of back taxes, by
making it possible to remove the cloud
from tax-ridden property and effect settle
ments. not for full amounts due, but at
least for portions. There are 1900, 900 OF
such delinquent taxes standing on the
treaeurer's books in Omaha.
Held back by temporary injunctions Sc
cured by the Union Pacific and Burlington
railroads are $2O5, 256 in taxes, figuring with
the SIS mill levy rate. It is this amount
that is to be shy, that is to couse every
city fund and the school fund to be about
one-hfth short for the present year. Should
the 'scavenger' bill become a law the col
~loctions resulting may almost r%ecompense
for this loss.
city Treasurer's Statement.
City Treasurer Hennings said:
III the bill becomes a law l estimate at
least 5000. 900 in delinquent taxes can be
collected during 1903. OF course the total
amount that will be realized will be much
greater, but the money will come slowly.
With the new arrangement for getting at
the back taxes we are given something to
work on that will enable us to put money.
into each fund. Only about 80 per cent of
the money appropriated for the funds is
collected and paid into them every year.
This leaves the funds open to the addition
of the back taxes, pro rata, when they are
paid in. Therefore If the city could realize
on some Of its outstanding claims there
can yet be money enough put in the treas
ury to pay running expenses for the year
and leave the right for more equal railway
taxes unimpaired."