The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-03
CITY SAVES MONEY.


Probably for the first time in years
the city administration VIII effect the
saving in running the various depart
ments- Last july the ways AID means
committee Of the city council asked for
estimates from the city departments
for the probable running expenses for
the ensuing year. Instructions were
specially issued by Mayor Davis that
these estimates should be kept down in
every particular and that only rigid
care should be exercised in providing
for unusual Incidental expenses.
one Of the best recommendations
which can be given to Mayor Davis Is
that he is introducing strict business
methods IN handling the finances of
the city A policy of retrenchme nt was
what the city has been trying long 10
introduce and it looks very much as if
it has succeeded at last through Mayor
Davis.
Though the fiscal year ends for the
city with March 81. the report Of the
city clerk presented at this time covers
and ends for the year ending with the
month previous. This is due to the
fact that the report of the city clerk
follows the allowing of the city's bills
by the council at the previous session
OF the council
The city administration last July
placed itself on record that it would
attempt to save $4,000 over the pre-
ceding year, and the indications are
bright for this accomplishment.
The only fall down of note in any
item is the one of miscellaneous ex-
p.hse which will run close to 1900
over the estimate returned last July
$4,000 instead of the $4,000.
For the twelve months ending with
February Is, the report shows that the
total receipts over disbursements for
1906, was $2O,054-19, while for the
twelve months ending with February
%, 1905, q deficit e. s1.314.88 existed.
Though salaries have been raised IN
the street department, police depart
ment and city engineers department.
the reduction In the size of these forces
has just about offset the increase which
would occur from the salary Increase.
The largest percentage of saving in
any one department has taken place IN
the sanitary department. The estimate
returned last summer by City Physi-l
clan Hogeboom was S9,999 while the
actual running expenses for the last
twelve months has been $6,12S-04. This
IS due largely to the absence of any
seasons of epidemic. The smallpox
epidemic has not appeared, as condi-
tons seemed to indicate that it would,
while typhoid fever has been the only
disease to break out with any degree
Of violence. At present the city's
health is above the normal.
Another saving will take place in the
disbursements to the city officers. The
police. fire, city engineering and electric
light department expenditures VIII
about tally with their estimates return
ed in July. IN the case of the electric
light department it probably viii reach
a little higher The street commission
er's department will be lower.
AS viii be seen from the report the
grand total receipts for the twelve
months in question was: In 1905,
S18I,795.1S: in 1905, S164.O88.34.
The disbursements for the time was:
In 1906 s161.740.99; in 1905, $685.,
4O3-22.
For the month of February the com
parison between 1905 and 1905 isl
equally favorable to 1905.
In 1905 the total receipts were S25.-l
1882, while in 1905 s21. 494.34. The
disbursements in 1906 were S13,S43.64,
in 1905 S11.972.40.