Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-07-06

80 . . . = ID.
Income for the entire year =. 164,44400
Deficit certain at the end of
the year. with ordinary eS-
penses only ......,..,,.,.S 94,t4AOO
MONEY TO BURN.
It's as simple as Micawber's formula
and the result must be failure! But
the American administration is not
content with ending. the year only
Ss4,444 In debt Not by any means
It's too much fun mailing appropria-
tons; saying build this and fix that
and charge it TO me- Roseate dreams
are dreamed wherein money to burn
in all it's crispness tempts. Money to
burn2 That leads 20 an idea. Why
not enlarge the crematory? II would
cost q mere $4,000. At this juncturc
those with regard for care IN business
and municipal management could sit
and listen no longer. with wonder,
fear and disgust they gave voice to-
their feelings and pointing out the fol-
ly of such rank extravaganza, pleaded
for at least some thought on the part
of those who would spend money
which exists In dreams. only. Failing
to get consideration they commanded a
halt and were given a cold stare as
the AMERICAN" conncilmen voted for
the enlargement of the city cren1atory
This vote was taken after Il had been
pointed out that the crematory Is being
used TO but one-thrd it's capacity al
the present time and without another
stick OF lumber can serve this city ex-
cellently for the next five years
MORE APPROPRIATIONS
But even this was not the end. The
money TO burn idea was still strong
and eyes were again turned towards
the crematory- Another appropriation
Was conceived. This was for $1,000 to
build a trestle for garbage dumping
The scheme was put before the council
and it Went through with swing
The minority with Its eyes that see"
as one OF its members put II so aptly,
of course voted against the second ex.
hibition of asinnity. Just as IT had
voted against the first. but the
"spenders' won the costly victory
costly not to themselves but to the
city.
DEEPER IN THE HOLE.
These actions, besides being exhibi-
lions of the rankest kind Of foolishnest.
are other things, even more alarming.
| the two appropriations call for an OK
penditure of $4,000. AS there Is no
| money coming in 10 pay for the crema-
tory changes, this amount must be
added to the deficit already certain,
| S0i ,44i. The sum is sl0S,Aii. At the
end of the year the city will ''bc In the
| hole to use common expression just
| S10S,44i.
| In clause treating of taxes the
| constitution of Utah says explicitly
that no administration can appropriate
| more money i'm year than the amount
| of taxes for the year. The constItu
| tion brands spending more money than
! constitutes a citys income felony.
| This is not a pretty term, but it is the
| one used so tlCcc win be no m!sundor
standing. The city officials permit
| ting deficits to accumulate are held, by
| the constitution responsible.
MATTER FOR THE COURTS.
| 1t is the assertion of a number Of
| those who have investigated the caus-
| es leading to the present shaky condi-
| ton OF the city's treasury that stu
| other peculiar steps are being taken
| in this running OF a city on nerve"
| ment of municipal affairs last year
with a deficit between S32 900 and $50
600 The constitution of Utah states
| (also very plainly that debts of one
! year cannot be paid from the funds OF
| the succeeding year, unless they are
| paid from a surplus. This year has
seen no surplus Where, then ask
the careful citizens, lis this deficit be-
| ing met? And how? And from what
source is the money being obtained2'
| The law is plain and ii provides peni-
| Tertiary sentences for public officials
| who violate its ruling.
| Hints thrown out very recently mol
| cate that the condition of the city's
! treasury may have light thrown upon
| II through the aid of the courts Pa
| thence with many has ceased to be
| virtue.
WHAT MIR. FELT SAYS.
The hue and cry raised by "Am,ri-
| cans" whenever certain affairs have
| been probed, that they went into office
| on the first VI the year. 1906. win de-
| felt left from the Morris admins ration
is tub that will not hold water.
| Charles Felt. city auditor during the
Morris regime. submitted clear, con-
| else re m If the citys financial con-
dition right ND to the moment Mayor
Morris and his aides stepped down and
| the Amer cans" assumed charge ana
none of the figures in the report show
any deficit Actual. unincumbered cash
turned over 20 the Americans reachci
the handsome total of sS1. 424.5G how
ever When Mr. Felt compiled his last
figures he was extremely anxious to
have every entry In it's proper place
to insure an accurate report He found
that s4s, 093.59 the city's portion nt
street paving extensions cost hau not
| been transferred 10 the proper place
l In the accounts. iHls ltlt Rhla 'eiii'SsH
to the credit OF the city, when 1t should
have been deducted from the general
fund. He asked that the city council
hold special meeting and make THIS
transfer properly. He semi a commune
cation making this request explaining
that he wanted the report no was I"
turn over to the new government abso-
lutely fair and accurate. TINS re-
quest SO surprised certain members or
the council that they felt some TRICK
was to be played and to prevent II they
made a quorum OF the council impoSsl-
bic. The transfer as result was not
made. but in his final report MT felt
made an entry like this;
Net balance of general fund,
December 81. 1905 ,..,,,,'', .Si@''olo'lo
City's portion OF cost of street
paving extensions .,ts.'''.' fo'f@''o'
Actual unIncumbered cash on
hand Dec. 81. 1905 ,,,,.,,,.S Al'fZ4'oo
FIGURES WE'RE NOT PADDED.
He did not use figures to make the
surplus look better than II really was
although he had every right TO DO so
as the money was on hand. lie deduct. .
ed the amount due from the city az II
II had been paid out and the surplus
he turned over 10 the Americans was
cash, not mere figures. what mas PC
come of this2 Is Sill another question