The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-25
Finance Committee Forced to
Take Steps to Keep EApendi-
lures Within Citys Income.
MUST PRACTICE ECONOMY
Effort to Check Salary Grab Not
OF Much Avail-A Glance at
the Situation.

Notwithstanding the fact that 30 per
rent. of the requests for Increased ap-
organizations are meritorious and 20 per
cent. almost necessary, the Finance
Committee of the Council will be forced
to strike out demands aggregating
$4,000. 900. The budget for 1908, which
will not differ materially from that OF
last year, must be kept within the total
of the receipts of the city, which
amount to about s2.300,000.
The Budget Committee consisting OF
Alderman ]. B. Wood, chairman. and
Councilnen II. r. Pollard, Jr.. and Gilbert
X. Pollock. practically concluded Its
work last night a report will be sub
mitted to the Finance Committee for
approval. and Will be transmitted to
the Common Council next week.
COMMITTEES Forced TO Cut.
Mr.. Pollard. who Is subchairman OF
the Finance Committee, and familiar
therefore. with the conditions of the
treasury of the city. said yesterday
that the work of preparing tenta-
tive budget has been extremely diff
cult.
Last year" he declared, 1--WE had a
cash balance of $4,000 to carry for
WdIG. MS SeI We AZ ny eiDOdl
$500. The gross receipts for 1907 were
about S2,a00 600. On account of the
drop in the value of stocks and bonds,
which are taxable, it is impossible to
figure the revenue much, If any, larger
this year. The requests from all
sources amount TO s4,78s.00o in round
numbers. Deductng the revenue of
s2,300.o0O received in 1907. this means
that The requests must be cut down
about s2.4SS,o00. OF these requests. so
per cent. are meritorious and % per
cent. almost necessary. At the same
time. showever, it is absolutely essential
that we ,ketp within the income.
Let lis, suppose that the receipts for
1908 are about the same as last year.
s2,3oo.oo0. From this we must deduct
tho city's pay roll. which is 100000.
Interest and redemption amount to
s561,SS2. The fixed charges of the
Water and Gas Departments are s2OO.-
revenue s1,5G1.3S2. This means, of
course. that the city cannot appro-
pirate mere than $73S.6lS"
Salary Grabbing Strong.
II members Of Council generally I'M
derstood the finances Of the city as
clearly as members Of the Budget Com
lnittee, there would be a speedy de-
nand to reduce exorbitant expenditures
and requests for additional amounts
from the various departments. In spite
of the conditions, however. there is AN
everlasting grab for higher salaries.
In 1907 the salary increase amounted
10 about $4,000. Figures at present
snow that In its municipal owner
ship plants the city is paying an
average OF 20 per cent. more for wages
than is paid by private corporations.
Moreover, while corporations ana busi-
ness concerns of one character or an
other are reducing salaries and OK
penses, the city has been steadily in
creasiag them, often over tho protest
or the Finance Committee. The charge
mas peen rather openly made that this
ialh on lhe treasury Is due to the
sprihg eiecilon, In the Same way 1t is
mell Understood that there would be
less demand Tor larger department an.
propriations II this were not can
palgn year.
win tho exception OF tho Police
commission, every department nm,
rotnHlttee went before the Ieinanr,
Committee and urged that sums large,
t1an those appropriated In 1907 III
provided for tho current year. IL was
khoWn that requests would hava Ia he
S't sou CONSIDERABLY, but few ,ncmbers
oi me Council expected that the "cuts'
would aggregate S2,5o0oOO.
Lax business Methods.
~ Is notorious fact, admitted h,
hepaFtments and committees. that me,
invariably ask for more than thew az
tual!y need. The explanation IL sim
pie They realize tina. the Enls,n,
committee, striving always 10 max
Inc ends meet, must cut. Mr.. Pollard,
statement therefore, that so ner can,
OF the requests are proper, and ~ ne
cent' necessary, naturally shows INA
the other rs per cent. represent I'M
which the departments are wjllfn,, !,
concede Is not actually needed h.,
which they asked for merely ia eiH
the committee something 10 Ion q,
SO that it might feel satisfied ana /,
the rest go. This method. however. ia
left the departments open to the eri,
lcism that they do not adopt busina,
methods, and the taxpayers naturall
rely upon the Finance COMMITTEES an
the Coancii 70 detect and expose ii
rusc.
The Common Council refused to pa,
= I..ti gft,,ll,