The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-09
REVENUE AND RESULTS.


The Wells administration has made u record in
the first half of its which is being digested by
public opinion 1t has instituted REFORM raised the
standard OF the public service, established system
done away with political practices that are equiva-
lent TO private gain collected all of the revenue from
all sources held fast to economy and brought about
material advancement. For these purposes it was in
stalled.
When citizen or a representative of a corporation
to the office of the License Collector or the Col
lector of the Revenue he knows that he is paying
more and no less, relatively than some one else.
He does not ask politician CRATER to intercede
that his taxes be reduced remitted He knows
that the CRATER has influence; that favoritism is
not tolerated. These offices are conducted on bust
ness lines as they should be; result the revenue
from ordinary channels is much larger than at any
time in the past.
The visitor to the Mayors office is not obliged
to meet horde of politicians in the corridor. nor
TO have friend-at-court introduce him. There are
no courtiers All matters are considered, no matter
by whom presented and decided on their partic-
ular merit or dement,. One man has rs much iniu-
ence as another 1t is not the man, but the cause,
which is taken under consideration.
Two years ago. when the present administration
took charge of the municipality, there was no money
in the City Treasury. ostensibly there was bal
ance of about S2S000, which had been effected by
transferring a large amount from waterworks rev.
enue to municipal revenue. But in fact, there was
no balance Outstanding bills showed actual de-
felt of about 100000
License Collector Whyte and Collector of the Rev
enue Hammer gave instructions that there should be
no determinations reductions in the collection of
licenses and taxes Comptroller Player notified de-
partment chiefs that economy would be the watch
word. Mayor Wells told the officials that business
would have to be conducted properly; that the munc
ipaiity would have to be run business concern.
At the end of the first year the enormous deficit
had been wiped out and balance of several hun
dred thousand dollars had been accumulated At the
end of the second year the balance is still larger
And it is an actual, not fictitious, balance Not
only is the balance larger but the money spent
makes a material showing. 1t has been invested in
improvements.
New sewers have been built, money has been APP
proprated for completing the City Hail. electric gen.
Grating plants have been installed in public buildings
an addition has been built to the Poorhouse i'm
provements have been made in and to other public
buildings, an emergency hospital has been acquired,
the efficiency of the Fire Department has been aug
mented, plans have been made for charging the
Waterworks plant in order provide better quail
ty of water, municipal electric railway is operated
between the Waterworks pumping stations. Other
improvements, of permanent class, have been made
There are three reasons for these results The
revenue officials have collected more money, simply
by enforcing the law and doing away with favorit-
ism. The fiscal officials have compelled economy
Mayor Wells has conducted public affairs on business
principles.
That the administration deserves the confidence
commentator and support of the lovers of good gov
eminent is plain. 1t has accomplished real good it
has brought about radical betterment in all depart
ments; 1t has effected permanent Improvements; it
has wiped out deficit, accumulated balance and
realized benefits that will be permanent Mayor
Wells can do no better than to adhere to this policy
There can be no better policy than plain business
plain industry and plain strictness.