The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-03-06

These were the conclusions reached
last night during busy session of the
charter commission.
The subcommittee on fire department
reported, through Chairman Charles w.
Gordon, that the salaries of the fire
men ought to be restored to the rates
paid previous to 1895; that new engine
houses be located at Payne avenue and
York streets, Dale and University ave-
nue., Ashland avenue and Victoria
street, and that a hook and ladder
company be placed at Edmund and
Marion streets.
The total cost of these Improvements
and additions, said Mr.. Gordon, would
be about $4,000, the cost of equip
ment not being included, but the COM
naittee recommended an increase Of the
present maximum expenditure by $780,
600, hoping that the department would
thus secure the greater part, at least,
Of what was needed.
Commissioner Doran thought one
more engine would do for the Dale
street and University avenue neigh
berhood and for the Ashland and Vic
toria section Also
board, said, in answer to questions,
that of the departments fourteen en-
gines, twelve were from seventeen to
thirty five years old, although the nor
NAL life of an engine was about twenty
years. Ten new engines would cost
$4,000, allowing for old engines re-
turned.
Sanborn Uroes Economy.
e. P. Sanborn, of the charter COM
mission, thought that inasmuch as local
real estate paid the greater part of
the taxes, the rate of taxation should
not be increased until realty could be
sold for something like it's actual value.
He would favor restoring the firemen's
salaries, but would make few other adj
ditions to the cost of the department
IF we're to judge of every proposal"
replied Mr.. Gordon, 'sby the possibility
of it's increasing the tax levy, we might
as well stop right here. We must be
guided by what the city really needs"
Messrs. Gordon and Sanborn then
argued with some spirit as to the
meaning Of what is needed" Mr.. San
born didn't think that additional en-
gines are absolutely needed; the city
could get on without them.
Commissioner J. D. Armstrong point
ed out that the total increase Of funds
for the maintenance Of the fire depart
ment and of other departments, as
suggested to the commission, would
increase the taxes on a lot assessed at
$1,000 by the sum of SO cents Even
little chimney fire, if not promptly eX-
tinguished, would cause taxpayer
more loss than the proposed increase
of his taxes for many years to come.
But Mr.. Doran maintained that much
property was assessed for twice it's as
sessable value; and that unproductive
real estate was thus paying the equiv
alent of per cent in taxes-"which
amounts to confiscation."
Commissioner J. c. Michael inquired,
what brought this commission into
existence? Wasn't 1t a popular de-
mand for increased taxation? Such
demand was made when the city
schools were approaching decrepitude
as in the fire department now. He
asked whether the commission would
not be blamed if needed fire engines
Paul happens to get a taste of what
Baltimore had"
Would Deduct From Schools.
Commissioner F. c. Catlin suggested
that 100000 could be deducted from
the current expenses OF the CITY ScnOOlS
without impairing their efficiency; at
least $4,000 of the school fund could
be used for other departments.
Mr.. Catlin's motion that the 100000
additional for the fire department be
reduced to $4,000 was supported only
by himself, Mr.. Doran and Mr.. Bloom
quest, Mr.. Doran saying that he per-
sonaIly would make the increase $751;
000 The report of the committee was
then adopted against the noes" of
Messrs. Bloomquest, Doran, McNair
and Sanborn.
Chairman J. D. Armstrong, of the
subcommittee on police, reported that
the chief had indicated the needs of
his department as follows:
A new police station on West Sew
enth street.
Twenty-Five additional patrolmen.
Eight more mounted patrolmen.
The additional cost would be $4,000.
Mr.. Armstrong pointed out the ex-
cessive size of the patrolmen in the
outlying districts; and despite ques-
lions by Mr.. Doran which, as Mr.. Cor
don said, accused the police depart
ment of crooked work." the report was
adopted; Messrs. Doran and Sanborn
voting no.
On motion of Commissioner Michael
the amount of money at the disposal
of the health commissioner in case of
an epidemic was changed from the
present indefinite sum to $1,000.
The remaining changes In the exist
ing charter were then adopted as all
ready mentioned.