Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-20
STUDY OF CAESAR
Mayor Thoms Thinks tbe Bi0h
 School Has Enough Books.


 propriations are exceeded this year nobody will be in a position to lay the blame at his door. He appears to be having some difference Of opln' ion with the department of educa' tion and with a view to bringing matters to a head he has forwarded a communication of which the foi- lowing Is copy to Comptroller Rus sell.
 Waterbury, April 16, 1908.
 MT M. D. Russell, Comptroller, City.
 Dear sir:-In, answer to your question as to what discretion you have in ordering 150 copies of iThe introduction of Caesar new text book recently adopted by the board of education, according to requisi- tion furnished by said board, it be- ing your opinion that at the present rate of expenditure this board Will probably exceed its appropriation, l would advise you, that l have given the matter some attention and have come to the following conclusions:
 A study of the amounts expended by the board of education during the first three months of 1908, as com pared with those expended last year for the same period and considered in relation to the total appropriation for the year, shows very clearly that unless the board is more careful ot it's funds, they will be exhausted long before the end of the current year. The superintendent of schools stated at meeting of the heads Of the department of the city held last Monday evening, that if the usual in creases in salaries were made and the usual number of teachers added in September that the appropriation for teachers salaries would fall sev- eral thousand dollars short of pay ing the salaries for the teachers of the current year, and this although the appropriation for teachers sal aries is $7,O00 or $S,000 greater than the amount expended for this item in the year 1907. There is no possibility of any special appropria- tions being made for the school de- partment this year, as there will be no unappropriated revenues, since collections are slow, and it is likely that the income of the city will be much less than the estimates made last November. Under these condi- tions if the board of education en- ters into obligations, either by in- creases of salary, purchases of sup plies, or construction work in ex- cess of it's total appropriations. either a special tax or closing of the schools is the inevitable result.
 If, as the superintendent of schools maintains, the necessary ex- penditures for teachers salaries, to- gether with the increases in salaries which the board will probably make. will make the fixed charges for teachers salaries exceed the appro- priation for that purpose, it will be necessary to provide the funds by transfers from other items of appro- priations for the school department. This cannot be done unless there are funds in these other appropriations for the purpose and at the present rate of expenditure there will be none.
 A short time ago committee of the board of finance was appointed consisting of Mir Scully and Mir Me- Elligott, to confer with the various boards for the purpose of seeing that no department exceeds its ap- propriations. l think that under the all acquisitions for ex purchases by the board of education should be submitted to them.
 It is my advice therefore, and in- struction so far as I have the legal power to give such insEuction to the comptroller, that fof the pres- ent, no requisition for supplies or labor outside of the ordinary | charges for maintenance, repairs, re- | placement of books. and supplies and | like ordinary expenditures, involving sums over $50, be honored by you | unless with the written approval of | the president of the board of alder men and Commissioner McElligott. | unless and until you are advised by the city attorney, that neither you nor they. nor I, have any discre- ton in the matter.
 It must be distinctly understood | that in the current year no depart ment or officer will be permitted to exceed his appropriation. The law 'orbids ii. and the persons mourning such obligations are personally liable for them. This provision will be en- forced to the letter, and in any de- when it's funds are ex- the operation of that de- partment will be suspended for the of the year. unless the board of aldermen should see fit to levy ! special tax, an evil which I am lure. with reasonable economy, can be avoided.
 Yours truly.