The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-07

against any particular set of men or particular kind of property.
 Income Inadequate.
 The question of tax equalization is not unique to Bridgeport. Other cities are grappling with this impor- tant problem forced Spon them by the expense of caring for the needs of a population that is increasing at a tremendous rate.
 Most of the deficiencies in the City of Bridgeport at the end of the fiscal year, will be- found. upon investigR- tion. to have had their origin in its inadequate income. This ina.ie- quacy of the public funds to meet the demands for necessary improve ments cannot be remcdied while our homes. together with the lands. fur nish more than five eighths of the public revenue.
 The platform upon which the May or was elected pledged him, and sll those who were elected with him, 10 an equitable adjustment of the tax system This promise, as every other promise made to the people, must be scrupulouslv kept
 Call On Department Heads.
 Section S6 of the Charter says: The Board of Police Commissioners, Fire Commissioners, Park Commis- sioners. Charities and Apportionment. respectively. shall elect from their own members a president who shall be known as the head of such de- partment- Such heads of depart ments shall have seats in the Com mon Council. and they shall be en- titled to take part in the proceedings and deliberations of the Common Council on all questions relating to or affecting their respective depart ments: but they shall not have the right to vote thereon"
 This privilege certainly has not been taken advantage of by the presi- dents of the above departments in the past except onJrare occasions, and the consequence has been that mat ters have come up for consideration affecting these departments and have been acted upon without a proper un- derstanding of the conditions relat- ing to them
 I would earnestly recommend that whenever any matter affecting a de- partment is before the Common Coun- ell, the head of such department will feel 1t his duty to be present
 I am confident that if such a policy is pursued 1t will produce a more ef- fective cooperation and a closer and more satisfactory relationship be- several boards
 Public Lacks Interest.
 It is perhaps not out of place at this time to refer to the lack of fn- terest that is taken in public hear ings before this body in matters of general interest Those in favor of a project or improvement, as a rule, appear for the same, but those in op- position frequently are not present. For this reason the members of the body are often unable to obtain a full expression of opinion in reference to the matter before them I trust that during the coming year your honor able body may be able to devise some means to promote a full expression of opinion at all public hearings
 The investigation of the Electric Light company should be pursued with view to ascertaining the actual investment. of the company and its cost of producing electricity, for the purpose of obtaining a reduction in price both for private and public con- sumers- Only with an adequate knowledge can it be determined whether the charges now made for public service monopoly unlike an or dfpary private business. is not per mitted by law to charge what price it pleases for its product. but may charge only such price as will yield fair profit on its actual investment While the rights of all such corpora ticns should be respected. yet they in turn must fully perform all their du- ties to the city and its citizens.
 Purchase Dock Room
 recommend that the Committee on Harbor Improvements be. empow- cred to take up negotiations with the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad company relative to the pur- chase of more dock front adjacent to the present holdings of the City at the foot of Wall street
 While the Common Council has small control over the expenditure of the public moneys, at the same time I would earnestly urge upon you. in so far as your duties involve the ex- penditure of the city's revenue. the necessity to economize as far as pos sible. because during the coming year the city will be called upon to meet several extraordinary demands upon its treasury. The most conspicuous of these demands is the State Tax inn posed upon us by the last General Assembly, This alone will add sub stantially one mill to the tax rate. It should be borne in mind that this is due to the condition of the States finances, and is a matter over which we have absolutely no control and from which the city derives no direct penent- While IL may not be possi- ble to prevent an increase of the tax rate. yet, it is certain, that on account or this additional expense the rate will rise beyond reasonable bounds unless we and all the departments of the city government exercise the strictest frugality and wisdom in ex- 
 Trolley Service Poor.
 Our citizens are justly complaining of the trolley service furnished by the which enjoys the 5trset rail- way franchise in our city. Complaint r. especially made Of the small un- stable, unclean, and unsightly cars which are run with flat wheels and are irregular and uncertain in apera- tion- Complaint is also made of ov- ercrowded cars. especially during rush hours. when our citizens are go- | Ing to or returning from work It l will be the duty of the Common Coup- ell to find means to remedy thesa con ditions either by conference with the company or otherwise. I recommend that steps to this end be immediately | taken.
 It is the duty of the Connecticut l company to keep in repair the streets between its rails and two feet | pm either side. This duty is almost en- tirely neglected and it will be the pol- Icy of this administration to require a | prompt and full performance in this |