The Detroit times., 1909-04-10
CUT BUDGET HARD
CAUTIONS CRAIG
Says $2,260,000 Must Be Topped
Of If Tax Rate Is To Be Kept
Down To SIG.

Just one division took place in the
first meeting Of the board OF estl'
mates, Thursday evening That was
over a resolution introduced by Esti'
mator Frisch regarding department
automobiles. He wanted TO have the
various departments owning automo-
biles requested to allow the use OF
them by the estimators' committee In
touring the city, thus saving the usual
big sum for auto hire.
What caused the defeat OF thu reso-
luton. however, was joker attached,
calling upon these departments 20 let
ter their automobiles so that they
might be distinguished as city prop
erty. On a viva voce vote. Chairman
Behlow declared the resolution lost
II appeared to be a crack at the school
board. Estimator F,isch representing
the Twelfth ward. as does School In
spector Goldberg.
Estimator Thomas G. Craig. OF the
Second ward, mad. his annual econ
omy speech. He characterized he re-
quests of the various departments by
harsh names, the "rapacity OF pirates"
being one Of his terms.
He termed the budget the most
colossal ever put up TO the estimators
since the board was created. and de-
c!ared that, on an assessed valuation
Of $3o5. 1000, 900 for the city. II would
be necessary TO cut the estimates to
IS. $780, 900, a cut of s2.260,000 from the
figures as they passed the council. II
keep the tax rate down TO SIG.
Last year the tax rate was 1854.
the total appropriations being s5,204.-
900 on a valuation OF 1898. 900. 900.
Il believe the tax payers will stand
for a SIC tax rate, but anything abovt
that would be legalized highway rob
berry," declared Craig.
He asserted his belief that low
tax rate would induce industry and i'm
prove business, while a high tax rate
would mean confscation Il property
and general depression In the city
Salary increases were decried By him
Automobiles, public bath houses.
public shelter stations, public play.
are some OF the items In this budget.
said Craig. In the school budget are
hndergartens, manual training and
other things of the same kind, with
teachers, supplies and janitors. II the
school board forgot TO put anything
in. ii would take an expert TO detect
It. 1 do not believe the trainers or
the constitution intended that We
should furnish an education beyond
the common branches"
RE pointed out the department of
public works budget and that OF the
school board as shining marks to
strike al. especially going after tho
school board as incompetent and
was;efu;, particularly with regard TO
the Cass school
Chairman Behlow made short
speech in which he informed Craig
that the committees had been care
fully chosen TO properly cut the esti-
mates and that he believed they would
do their duty 10 the satisfaction or
the city Estimator Barnett also eI-
pressed his opinion that the matter OF
proper economy lay with the commit
tees.
Sheriff CASTOR, who was long clerk
of the board OF estimates, made
short speech. After the meeting the
various committees met
There was a more or less general
impression that Craig's speech is the
beginning OF contest in the board.
some OF the estimators expressing re-
sentiment that one man should lecture
the whole body on its duties at this
time.
IF Craig is going to try to run the
whole board. he will have his troub-
les" declared an east-side estimator.