The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-15
MAYOR SAYS BOND ISSUE
MUST BE HELD TWO YEARS.
Continued From Page One.

Schumacher. president OF the American
Central Trust Company.
| A resolution offered by J. ]. Wertheimer,
| providing that the members Of the league
| decorate their business houses and dwell
ings on April 90 and May l and 9. was unan-
imousy adopted.
After quoting statistics showing the inan-
cial condition of St Louis, Comptroller
I Players speech. read by Mr.. Schnurmacher,
! stated. in part:
The first question to be considered is
| whether or not. through the strictest econ
omy in all departments and in all directions,
a sufficient amount may be saved to meet
| the extraordinary expenses necessltsted by
| general improvements.
Municipal improvements and great public
works cannot be carried forward without a
sufficiency Of revenue. The revenues obtain
able only in one Of two ways-either by
| direct taxation or by bond issue.
1t will require an amendment 10 the
Charter. however. 10 authorize bond issue
in order that We may provide adequate and
thorouEhly sanitary buildings for the citys
sick and dependent.
Should the bond issue fail. II will be in
cumbent upon the administration. in fact.
an imperative necessity. to levy the whole
| municipal revenue purposes under the con-
stitutional amendment approved at the
election last November"
The various purposes for which the bond
issue is necessary were then detailed. They
include the completion OF the City Hall.
construction and extension OF the Water
works and other municipal necessities.
LIOSBERGERS REVIEW.
Isaac II. Lionberger. beginning his ad-
dress. pointed out the conditions of the city
in 1900. when the Public Welfare Commits
sion was formed. At that time the income
of the city was sSssI0es.ss. the necessary
expenses SSH. 1914. leaving a deficit OF
sl.2l7 .Sos. IS.
THE causes OF this condition we're the
constitutional restrictions on the rate Of
taxation. the increase in the appropriations
required by the Police Board. the extrav-
Rgance in some OF the public departments
and negligence In the collection OF revenues.
1T was the unanimous conclusion OF the
Public welfare Commission that municipal
economy could not wipe out this deficit.
Increase in assessment was out OF the ques-
ton, valuations already being too high. and
borrowing money, except in anticipation OF
current revenue. IS prohibited by the
Charter.
which were adopted by the commission. The
effect Of these changes in the Charter and
the imposition OF the increased tax was
entirely satisfactory.
THE current funds VIII not be sufficient.
however. to pay for needed public improve
ments The only way to meet these neces-
sary expenses is by an issue of municipal
bonds"
NOT A PARTY tssr-t,
Mr.. Lionberger closed his address by
showing that after these bonds are issued
the people Of ST. Louis would be more
lightly burdened than those of other cities
OF the same class IN the United states.
Charles Nagei was introduced. He ex-
pressed himself as heartily in accord with |
the views OF the preceding speakers. say |
ing;
OF the ultimate triumph OF the proposed |
amsndnent It is distinctly a, part Of an |
our people have entered
1T Is really modification OF the Char |
ter IN the consideration Of such ques- 1
part. The purpose here is 10 permanently
enlarge the authority OF our city govern |
ment- for this and for succeeding admins
J. L, Nan ornum Of Washington uniyer-
sity. president of the Engineers Club o. |
st. Louis said that public improvements
usually known as public works"- are now
serious attention
He held that funds for the necessary m
provenents would not be a burden. and
ton Of sch ropossS n1Sres s pS f5r
the benefg ef the future city and IN which
the Future should ehare
aid. less than Is equitable" he said