The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-23
The Small Taxpayer Will Not Feel
the Increase rIuch, While the 6ene.
fits to Him Are rIany, He Says.

Last evening Mayor Miller signed the
,cini resolution OF the city council. pass
ed BY the common council Monday even
sns and b the hoard of aldermen Thurs
ezy afternoon. fixing the tax rate for
III. ensuing year al siS.
In an interview with Mayor Miller to-
Gay b. said. In consideration Of the
tax rate we are confronted by q condition
an6 this condition must be dealt with.
FOR the past two years the city has run
in debt on tax OF 81 81 per hundred. and
we have 70 consider the fact that while
that rate would not bring IN money
enough &C pay running EXPENSES Of the
present fiscal year. We would also have
th- des.cit OF nearly 10000 hanging
o-er Us.
NO man would be more 10th than
- increase the burden OF the poor man.
but 1t Is not on the poor man that this
falls heaviest. for the poor man, or what
we ordir arily consider the poor man pays
txxes on a thousand dollars or two. while
the fle cents increase means only 80
cents a thousand. or a dollar on 5000.
The raise is slight and will be felt most
by the large taxpayers.
Continuing Mayor Miller said that when
the additional advantages which that ex-
ira 50 cents would bring to the small tax
-
which was inevitable under the old rate
Is made clear, ne was convinced that they
would gladly give several times that
amount to have things right
lit seems 10 be the impression he
said, that the increase is responsible
for the entire tax rate OF 1850. when
really Il only means 80 cents. The SIG
Is already a fact. With the old rate a
considerable curtailment I'm the public
81. I "a,
taxpayers one and all would rather have
this eight increase and have the schools
fully up 10 the standard with all the
protection needed than save the 80 cents.
''The same can be said OF the police
and fire departments. both OF which are
now down pretty fine. | have yet failed
to hear a single good argument advanced
against the 1850 rate.
II am hearty believer in economy.
and l think II can he pracuced To good
effect in some OF our city departments.
We know that I'm past years there has
been cvtravag.nce in the school depart
ment. but this year II Is under new
mana cement Should we handicap the
present committee by refusing 10 pay the
bills contracted by their predecessorsF
IL is not giving them fair opportunity
OF showing whether or not they can man
age the department economically. The
present committee has. II is true. been un-
fortunate at tho start In having 10 pay an
under the circumstances. was unavoid-
able. and believe that in other respects
the committee " handling affairs muCh
more economically than before
Then take the health department. II
an epidemic Of disease should break out.
where would we be FOR there Is absolutely
no money 20 use In such a case. This is
no new condition OF affairs
IF / may refer YOU TO my inaugural
address. YOU Will see that as lonC ago as
January | said that In view OF the action
that the city council had taken IN au-
thorizing the payment Of last years de-
felt from the TAX of this year an increase
In the rate would be necessary. The
members OF the council know a. and in
voting for that resolution virtually
pledged themselves 10 sanction an ad-
vance IN the tax rate this year
There is no other way OF raising tho
money. that is consistent with good bust
ness principles and we are here 10 ad.
minister the affairs of the city. for the in
ierest of the city. and the future hs we'll
a. the present welfare of her citizens
Under n tax OF ti60 our experience of the
rGkt two years has taught that this debt
would KEEP on rolling up like a SNOWFALL
until al some future time Il would become
. great and serious problem Now Il the
time 10 take care OF this matter and ac-
fion has come none 20 soon. for already
the effect Of procrastination. I'm the pay
nent OF city bills threat tens 20 he felt
by The lmpalring of tho ciiv's credit
Providence has aiwavs had an enviabie
reputation for promptness IN money mat
sers. with tho resuli that her credit has
been ~ the besf. and che has been able
- hire money ~ lower rates than almost
srv c'hsr city IN the East Other wsys