The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-19

OF the facts, they seek another such ex.
per1ence, they may have it,
TAX LEVIEs AND VALUATIONS.
Here is a complete statement of as
sessed valuations under Mr. Wright's adj
Hthinlstratlon and those under the last
tratfons, the 1904 valuation not being
completed; and also of the tax levies fixed
each year under both administrations:
1892-Assessed valuation under
Mayor Wright ..........S1252 39 B8e
1893-Assessed valuation under
Mayor Wright .......... 1924 731 0H1
1901-Assessed valuation under
1aN Mayor 9 rss Smith ss.957,s2s
,o0 Mayor Smith ;;..;;:.....;.. sO.Oss. 1856
Mayor Smith ............. 90 992 41S
Inc tax levies under Mayor Wright
were as follows:
1929 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 20 mills
1917 1917 No. 49,. 2o.4o Mills
1sSS2-Tax levy under Mayor 10''O miiiS
1sS5ITax levy under Mayor 81 mills
1994LTax levy under Mayor Wv INNS
0hlth ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $3.50 mills
SOME THINGS MADE PLAIN.
~. dh taG figures show, among other things,
l. That the statement that the tax
levy under Mayor Smith has been in
creas1ng year by year and is bound to
INCREASE 5Se is an unqualified falsehood.
r,iiis mat ma the tax rate for 1903 Is 100
rate Of 1904 is less than that of 1903 by
z.60 mills and less than that Of 1902 BY
In considering the relatively high tax
rate of 81 mills for 1902 under MaVor
Smith, 1T must be borne in mind that the
county tax rate, declared by a Republican
board OF county commissioners, had in
creased from 3.71 mills in 1900 to 5.72 in
8. That in spite of the vast increases in
population and property values and of the
valuable additions made to the city's as
sets. In the form of the permanent i'm
proVements specified, the assessed valua-
lions under Mayor Smith are for each
year several millions of dollars less than
those under Wrights administration.
The showing is equally to the credit Of
Mayor Smiths administration when the
per capita rate Of taxation is considered.
CITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.
On Feb. q, 1903, a subcommittee Of the
CITY development committee of the ST,
Paul Commercial club submitted repOrt
70 that body relating to the finances as
SeSSed valuation and tax rate Of st. Paul
compared with other American cities Of
the same class. 1t was based on the re-
turns published by the United States de-
paftment OF labor, and presents the as
sessed valuation, the taxes per 81 900. the
bonded debts, the per capita cost of main
tenance inclusive Of schools, and the per
L..
Kansas City, Denver, Toledo and Roches-
ter, NJ. Y. 1t shows that in spite Of a
much larger area to be provided with
schools, fire protection sewers Streets
lights, etc, and in spite OF a Topography
which necessitates the building and main
tanning of over sixty bridges the per
capita cost OF running the city govern
ment compares favOrably with that Of
others in its class
The Pioneer Press. on the day following
the appearance Of this report, comment
declared Nc. fnl1nrrc.
population and area considered, it viii
be seen that the assessed valuation is
lower than that of any other city, and
that the tax rate Chat of 1902, which was
81 mllls) even on this low basis, Is not
comparatively high
In spite of the representations Of those
tation and lower its credit in order to
get Office for themselves, the fact re-
mains that st. Paul is recognized through
out the country as one Of the best and
most economically governed Of American
cities.
In support of this statement there is
ample proof to be cited. The one cireum-
stance alone would suffice for this pur-
pose. that at the recent sale of SIS, 600 re.
funding 4 per cent bonds Of the city a
premium of S., $40 was realized-the high
est premium ever paid for bonds in this
city.
WHAT THE FINANcIER THINKS.
But, in addition to this, the attention
of the taxpayers deserves to be called
TO the analytical examination of every
phase of st. PauIs financial condition
made by The Financier. Of New York city,
covering two pages of it's issue of April
T., 1904. The conclusion reached by The
Financier as the result Of such eXamina-
ton is as follows:
All this very naturally proves that
the city is operating on profitable basis
to meet all maturing obligations. St.
Paul has been very exact in providing
funds wherewith to cancel its Nloans at
the proper time and the banking frater-
nifty has learned TO appreciate this i'm
portant feature of the city's government.
In the future. however, with the addi-
tional sinking fund safeguard (Section 2,
Chapter 304, Laws of Minnesota, 1903),
the bonds Of the municipality will be
doubly secure and safe investment from
every standpoint"
Respectfully submitted,
Robert A. Smith, Mayor
Louis Betz, Comptroller
Otto Bremen, City Treasurer.