The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-04
MONEY TO BURN.
Councilman Howe Thinks CITY win Be
in That Position.

Councilman S. T. Howe, chairman OF
the ways and means committee says
that the city viii have money to burn
at the expiration OF the fiscal year. The
present reports of the city treasurer
and city clerk do not look so auSaic-
ious. Though there is evidence that
the city is saving in the cost of run
ming its departments in comparison
with similar reports Of last year, still
the Increase in salaries in the various
city departments, particularly so in the
police department, which will become
effective within the next two months,
viii commence to cut down the differ
enc.
When the ways and means commit
tee made an estimate in August show
ing the city expenditures for the en-
suing year. no accounting was taken
of an increase in the police department
or for the extra miscellaneous expendi-
ture involved in putting electric light
on the Melan bridge and other items of
similar nature
Furthermore it reekons the worth of
the $4,000 on deposit at the First Ma
tional bank failure at its face value.
These will all play part in the final
reckoning. The eity's finances are not
in particularly better shape than they
have been for a number Of years past.
The city treasurer reSorts that there
is balance on hand of $154, $3.50. The
general revenue fund is down to bed
eek and the same report showed a
balance in that fund of So 308.75 while
the general Improvement fund had $780,,
063.96. The city clerks report for the
six months ending the 31st of August
showed receipts for the general revenue
fund of $S9, 502.11 while for the CORE
spending period last year 1t amounted
to SIS. 1862. For the general improve
ment fund it amounted to So, $500 at
the end of the six months in 1903 and
in 1904, $23, $3.50. The grand total
shows for both funds for the six
months of 1905, Se5,357.12; for 1904, $62,-
TIA 80.
The distribution from the general rev.
enue fund for the past six months end
ing August 81, 1905. amounted to $751;
7O3 20; for the corresponding period in
1904, S57, 29030. From the general inn
provement in 1905, $SS, 275.10; in 1904,
s6S, 957. 3d.
The grand total shows that the city
expended for the first six months of
the fiscal year ending with August 81,
1885,, 1880, while for 1904 it amounted to
S14e, 24zS2.
ebb of the general revenue fund, has
been compelled to borrow from other
funds in order to pay the bills which
rightfully should be paid from the gem
eral revenue.
..Oh. we viii have money to burn at
the end of the fiscal year, said Howe
I'VE always have to borrow from one
fund to the other at this time of the
year because there is scarcely anything
to come in The taxes are not available
yet. I know there is a law against
borrowing from one fund the way we
do but what else can you do? At mas
always been done. If we should issue
warrants stamped unpaid. the city
would have to pay the interest on
them. There are a lot of things which
the city does that is wrong but the
trouble is with the laws. they ought to
be altered. but you can't get them al
tered: you can't get needed legislation
attended to-
II don't see how the city is going to
come out even" said Vim. Green, form
er chairman of the ways and means
committee.