Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-11


Difference in favor Of this years 701, 376.s
This $40, 1876 80 increase over last years
income would be enough to meet the
requirements arising from the natural
growth of the city and allow very
considerable sum for permanent i'm
provements " it were not for the fact
that we began this year with short
age nearly equal to the above revenue
increase.
The outlay for July and
August was ........... SB44 0OO
The outlay for Septem-
ber, estimated ......... 322oOo
Total outlay for three months. 1886, 900
On July 1 the city had
on hand from balances
in the various depart
nnents ...... .$lsOVV
Income for July, August
and September from
personal taxes, licenses,
etc. ........... 45oVVV
This gives total funds for first
three months ''seio'oOo
Leaving deficiency of............$ $780, 600
Outfall sewer enforced outlay
in three months ..................... 3oOOOo
Total QenclenCy Ior Julys
August and September er..............S 800, ,0Oo
This simply means that If the city
treasury's balance on July 1 had been
$500, 900 larger than 1t was, !. e., $780,
900 instead of s1so,0Oo, it would all be
used by the end of this month. 1t did,
in effect, have s1SO,0OO on hand, and so
will be- on September 1, 100000 behind
the game, an amount almost equal to
the total increase in this years rev.
enues.
Because of these facts only $450,000
has been appropriated for permanent
improvements, 1. e., sewer and bridges.
No provision need be made for out"
fall sewer a year hence, but the city
must have, at the beginning of the
next fiscal year, $500, 900 from this pres
ent years revenue or face another
financial embarrassment 1t is 1mpoS-
sible to provide this large amount after
putting so much into the outfall sewer
without unduly crippling the work Of
various departments. The council, up
on the recommendation of the finance
committee, has set aside $250000 for
reserve fund This reserve fund should
be augmented by department balances
at the end of the present fiscal year,
though they will be small and should
make a total of 100000 held over to
begin the fiscal year OF July l. 1908.
The aim will be one year later to hold
over the full 100000 to meet the outlay
of the first three months of the sue
ceeding year.
The common school fund is increased
because of the growth of the city and
because of a much needed advance IN
the salaries of teachers The play
ground commission made a strong
plea for 100000 and got $4,000,
which was large advance on
last years appropriation of $16,0O0 but
an investigation of what is being done
by this commission in the congested
districts will make the right-minded
wish the appropriation to be much
larger next year.
The police department began last
year an appropriation of 100000 which
was largely increased in December.
Over one hundred men were added to
the force, and nothing less than $780,
900 would maintain this department
cut of a little over $4,000 was, how
ever, made by transferring the chain
gang and most of its expense to the
street department
AS the engineers department had by
the extra help given it during the year,
practically caught up with its work, a
reduction was made In IT'S force,
though leaving it then % per cent
larger than in July, 1906.
The appeal of the parks for increased
funds had to be denied, and yet Los
Angeles peculiarly needs outlay in this
direction.
On bridges a beginning is made, the
chief outlay to be on Seventh street,
where the necessity is dire, and on De
los POsOc In the Ninth ward.
The fire department allowance is
made as low as possible in view of the
expected bond issue of 100000 To
carry this issue is to put our fire de-
partment on a god basis To defeat it
means a postponement of needed i'm
provements in fire protection and the
compulsory drawing of some. funds
from this years overburdened treasury
as we'll as further crippling of condi-
tions at the opening of the next fiscal
year.
Following are the budget figures