The Saint Paul globe., 1904-10-22
CHANGES IN CHARTER
WILL cost $4,000
Continued From First Page

i6nQ6Q Dy the uTeluSli that WQ6Q II
became necessary some years ago to
retrench as to city expenses they
agreed TO a reduction in wages, with
the understanding that the salaries
would be restored as soon as possible.
With the increase in population SO much
of the annual appropriation has been
used for machinery and maintenance
that it has been found impossible to
restore wages to their old basis.
Better Fire Protection
"All the amount will not be used for
the proposed increase in salaries" ex-
plained A. j. Schweizer, of the board
of fire commissioners, but additional
fire protection will be given to various
sections of the city. This will include
the Eighth and Ninth wards, the Mid
way district, the Fifth and Sixth
wards, and the First and Second wards.
In the instances given better. protec-
ton is needed, and the additional $780,
600 asked will be largely used for bet
terments. although it will permit the
restoration of the salaries of the fire.
men,"
The provision as to the police de-
partment is:
That subdivision of section of title
II of chapter v of said charter be
amended so as to read as follows:
To provide for the support and main
tenance of the police department of the
city. The total expense of the adminis-
tration of the police department, includ-
ing compensation of pound masters. and
all expenditures for lands, buildings,
appliances of all kinds. salaries. wages
and all other outlay, whether of perma-
nent or temporary nature. shall not, IN
any year, exceed the sum OF two hun
addition to any uneXpended balance re-
naming in said police department fund
from the preceding year
For the police department an in
crease of $4,000 is asked, and it is con-
tended that the urgent demands of the
citizens for additional police protec-
tion cannot be met unless the appro-
priation is increased. All Of the out
lying districts, many of which are
rapidly building up, are demanding
more officers The present limit of the
appropriation for the department is
$185,000 a year, and the amendment
makes it possible to set aside $214, 600.
Reason for Increase
considering the area to be covered
and the population, ST. Paul at pres
for the police than any other city in
the country" explained Lieut.. Frank
Horn, one of the committee in charge
of the campaign for the adoption of the
amendment. .tSt. Paul iss rapidly in
creasing in population. Great tracts of
country which were few years ago
vacant are now covered with resi-
dences, and these citizens pay taxes
and are demanding police protection
adequate to their needs. 1t is desira-
bic that they be granted their demand,
but the situation is this:
'The police department today is
granted the same amount that it was
given fifteen years ago, when the pop
ulation of ST. Paul was little more than
half what it is now. If the city is to
be properly polieed it is necessary that
the increase be granted. 1t has been
agreed by the firenen and policemen
that they will support all the amend
mentS submitted, it having been shown
to our satisfaction that the small in
crease in taxation will be fully met
by the additional assessment for inn
proyements each year. This means
that the increase in the value of build
ings and personal property will each
year meet the additional expense, and
we believe that if the city is to con-
tinue to prosper all the amendments
should be adopted"
The provision as to the street and
sewer fund Is here given:
That subdivision Is of section 4 of til
tie II. of chapter v of said charter be
amended so as to read as follows:
To provide for cleaning and repair
Ing streets, sewers, sidewalks and cross
walks, The total amount of expenditure
In any one year for all of said purposes.
other than that paid by special assess
ment, shall not exceed the sum of two
hundred thousand dollars, in addition to
any unexpended balance remaining in said
street and sewer fund from the preceding
year.
Increase of $4,000
For the street and sewer fund, from
which the streets are swept and the
sewers kept in condition, City Engi-
neer Rundlett asks that the allowance
be increased from $150,000 to 100000
a year, and makes an argument SINH
lar to that advanced for the police and
firemen. He said:
The growth of the city and the in
creasing number of paved streets that
must be swept and cared for, and the
many additional sewers that must be
looked after, make it impossible to get
along with the present appropriation.
Many Of the outlying streets are in
bad condition owing to the heavy rains
during the summer because I have not
the money with which to repair them.
If the people generally were familiar
with the conditions they would not
hesitate to vote the additional $50,000
year. 1t may not be necessary to
levy the entire amount, and the fact
that all unexpended balances left in a
department fund will hereafter remain
with that department will result in
saving considerable, believe. With
the full amount allowed and with the
privilege of holding over what is saved
it will be possible to undertake i'm
provements of note that cannot now be
considered"
For the park board an additional
$4,000 is to be allowed. raising the
amount from $4,000 to $4,000 a year.
In their public arguments in favor of
the amendment the members of the
board of park commissioners have adj
vanced the argument that the acquiSi-
ton of Phalen and other parks makes
it absolutely necessary that additional
funds be obtained. With the present
amount it is said that it will be merely
possible to maintain the parks as they
are without making improvements.
The free text book amendment,
which requires that the board of school
inspectors install free text books in
the grade schools, will entail cost Of
s35, 900 the first year and $4,000 a year
thereafter, according to the estimate of
Supt. Smith. The advocates of the
measure contend that it will cost moth
ing in addition. as the school inspectors
will be compelled to maintain the sys-
tenn on the appropriation they are now
receiving.
Advocates of public Fairgrounds ask
for $4,000, making a charter provision
for the future maintenance of a system
of Fairgrounds. The Civic league is
making Campaign through the pubic