The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-14

Mayor of orange.
the business world and the high rate of
interest which nus be paid for money on
temporary loans ana upon bonds we are
confronted with a condition which behooves
us to exercise the most rigid economy in
every department. Your honorable body
should cut off every unnecessary expense
and De diligent in the supervision Of the
work of every department in order that
there may be no waste of public money.
I'm connection with the matter Of
finances it is apparent from recent de-
velopments and statements before your
honorable body that taxes are not equitably
imposed upon the people throughout the
city. Steps should be taken to compel the
assessors TO perform their work in a thor
oughly fair manner. so that all citizens
will know that there is no discrimination
or favOritism. AS a powerful aid to this
erd l would recommend that your honor
able body instruct the tax collector to
maintain in the outer section of his Office
during the entire year a complete copy of
his tax book showing the valuation upon
every piece of property in the city, and the
amount of tax upon each, together with
the other necessary details, this copy to
be for the convenient reference of any -citi-
zen who desires TO enter the tax office and
inspect the copy.
1T should be remembered that the re-
sources of the city are what we have
available Tor the payment OF our obliga-
the year 1906 was 81, 2Os, SO7.9I. a fraction
over Z per cent. of the tax valuation of
1906 ($11, S5I boo. Tho funded and floating
debt oil 1907 amounted to 81 ,669, 1905, as
against 81, 172,S50 of valuation. making
the percentage of debt ratables IA per
cent.
The property owned by the city, com
prising water works. exclusive OF inn
proyements now under way, eight school
buildings. Three fire houses, police station
and poor house and equipments, has an
estimated value of 1874 900.
up to the present time arrcarages for
taxes and assessments for street and
sewer Improvements aggregate S257, 900.
Il would recommend that steps be taken
looking to the collection of this large
sum of money. l would suggest that re-
Martin act or that the Legislature be
appealed to for the enactment Of a law
which will meet the emergency.
l favor the printing of all reports of
the various city departments in pamphlet
form and recommend that your honorable
body take tho matter up at once.
AS. under existing. circumstances, it
VIII be impossible, even in case of the sub
mission of the Jones act to the people,
for the city to estab lish a lighting plant
within two or three years, ! would suggest
the adv1sab ility of making a lighting con-
tract with the Public Service or some
other corporation to cover the intervening
period. we are also confronted by. The
municipal lighting plant under present
financial conditions. | do not think. how
ever. that We should continue to pay $50
per arc Ugh. when we might get the cost
reduced to $40 or SIS Der light.
Il therefore recommend that the Council
take such steps as may be necessary TO
submit the Jones act to the people at the
next election and that In the meantime A
contract be entered into for two or three
years at, a rate per light less than that
now paid.
Il call attention to the laxity Of the
city in promptly levying assessments for
streets are not properly kept up. The rea-
son for this Is lack of attention and care
less supervision. Plenty of money is APP
propriated and spent to keep all the streets
in good order, but results rave been very
unsatisfactory. Main street is particularly
Objectionable because of the dust nuisance.
The fault possibly lies with the method
of k repairs and the use of too
much top soil. Something should be done
to remedy the evil. which is not only a
public discomfort. but a menace to public
health and an injury to ~storekeepers.
II would recommend that your honora-
BILE body take UP the matter vigorously
and in the making of street improvements
consider asphalt or some other material
for street paving purposes.
The present poor farm property is too
valuable In its present location, and we
ought not to continue paying heavy taxes
upon 1t when We can dispose of it at a
handsome figure.
body cause a thorough and practical sys-
adopted.
II would recommend that all city offices
be required to be open not later than s
O'clock each morning.
Il call your attention to the fact that
the schools are crowded. and in the Lin
coin Avenue and Cleveland Street schools
particularly the congestion is great. /
believe In the principle Of n seat for every
child. therefore urge upon your hon
orable body that careful consideration be
given the request of the board of school
estimate that the appropriation for this
year may be as nearly ~adequate as your
resources will permit.
Your honorable body should pass an
ordinance defining the duties of the city
physician. That official has complained
to me several lines Of the lack OF any
regulation In this regard. and at times
suited.
AN ordinance covering his entire juris-
diction and duties would effectually settle
the matter and, ] believe, would result in
a more efficient service In this department.
In making up the tax budget for tho
current year | would recommend that you
place therein IN amount for st. Mary's
Hospital equal to that appropriated for the
Memorial Hospital and for the same pur-
poses. Many Of the city's INDECENT patient:
are treated at this hospital and ii is fair
that proper compensation be provided.
~ would recommend that the necessities
Of the Police Department require the es
tablishment Of a sub-station in the Valley
II would also r~scommend that In the
pensed with and the department be com
STEPS should be taken as soon as pos
sible toward the conserving of the city''
watershed for the future. I I'M OF the
opinion that the rayine etWee the ole
reservoir and Campbelrs Pond Is a great
whole OF Essex County. The property Il
ell owned BY the city
oIIleEu Ham Ersslsu aSt9s'