The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-04


men and p6licemen ios y
Inspector OF plumb
ing ................... 800 ~
Inspector Of build
ines ... 100 90
Auditing department loo oO
Police department. sS slsS,lb .
Less reductions:
Providence LyIng-in
hospital .......... 5000 90
Public works lights 10000 20
Public works. offices 1.oUO % $4,000 %
Net Increase .... sls5.ifs IS
The deficit from 1sOl-02 and the increase
for interest and sinking funds equals
over six and one-half cents on each 800
OF the valuation.
An increase I'm the appropriations for
some departments was much needed; for
the public buildings department. for the
harbor. for the health department, and
for the support OF the poor previous ap-
propriations had been Inadequate.
A WORTHY INSTITUTION
Included among the reductions is the
item OF $1,000 for the Providence Lying
in hospital The annual appropriation
OF the amount OF $1,000 for that hospital
in 1901 and 1909 having been made without
authority from the general assembly. no
appropriation for that worthy institution
was made for the current year. but a
resolution was passed by the city coun-
Gil which was approved by me Sept. 18th.
1903 instructing the city solicitor 10
apply 20 the general assembly at its next
session for such legislation as may be
necessary 10 authorize the city council TO
appropriate and pay TO the Providence
Lying-in hospital and the Saint Joseph's
hospital OF Providence such sums OF
money annually hereafter as said city
council may deem expedient and ad-
visable for the city OF Providence TO so
appropriate and pay to said hospitals out
OF funds not otherwise. appropriated.
trust that such authority will be given
TO the city and that the city council will
make such appropriations hereafter as
they may deem proper for these hos
pitfalls which are doing excellent service
for our city.
The tax rate having been increased.
and the valuation OF the assessors also
having been increa sed more than IL was
estimated II would be. the revenue for
the current year Is more ample than for
the year previous when the finance com
mittee felt obliged 10 ask you TO urge the
heads OF departments TO practice
most rigid economy. but because more
funds are now available for carrying on
the necessary work OF the departments
there Is no reason why now economy
should not be practiced. even II not
rigid economy as heretofore.
CAUTION ADVISED.
There IL a tendency. II funds are more
plentiful to be less careful in regard to
expenditures and II Is noticed that al
most Immediately efforts are made to
have salaries I'm all departments in
creased. These solicitations should be
carefully considered by YOU before giving
them your approval. and you should
-
plans and projects for certain improve
ments which. while unobjectionable ~
presented at proper time. may now he
urged upon you only for the benefit OF a
comparatively few citizens in localities
where. II such improvements be made
the city as whole will derive from
them but little benefit.
In connection with tho subject OF
finances | desire TO speak again of the
needed change In our present system OF
taxation For the past ten years or
more the city OF Providence has been
endeavoring TO bring about reform In
our tax laws and much work has been
done therefor by committees OF the city
council, by former Mayors and by the
city solicitorss office.
At the last session OF the general as
sembly the late Senator Jackson OF tn.s
city introduced I'm the senate a bill
similar In effect 90 those introduced I'm
previous years TO accomplish the purpose
desired. which. bill was referred TO com
mittee and never reported back TO the
senate This year It is thought that
there may be better prospect OF Sc
curing favorable legislation upon this
important matter than at any time pre-
vlous and I trust that the members of
the city council will use AL their in
nuence To have such law passed al the
next session OF the general assembly.
DEPARTMENT or PULnIC WORKS
Robert r. Smith. who had been the
commissioner of public works for the
city of Providence for twelve consecu-
tive years. died on the END day OF July
last As I said in my message 10 the
city council at that time. BY his death
the municipallt' lost a faithful servant.
man OF great advisory and executive
ability.
The law under which he was chosen
10 that position provided that the COM
missioner should be appointed by the
mayor. To be approved by the board OF
aldermen, but IL did not provide for the
filling Of any vacancy which might occur
In said office. / therefore obtained
from the supreme court OF the state an
opinion as to how such vacancy should
be filled. and the court deciding that Il
should be by the city council. the coun-
ell with excellent Judgment elected the
one man most familiar with the work OF
that department. Walter r. Slade, who
had been the secretary Of Commissioner
Smith during his entire term OF service.
Ny attention has been called by Com
missioner slsde 10 the following matters
10 his department;
SEWERS
The improved sewerage system adopted
some years ago Is practically completed
Extensions OF the Mount Pleasant divi-