El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-01-12
The Significance of Items.

The Significance of Items.
The decrease in the appropriation for
the fire department is because of the
fact that in the previous budget there
was considerable money for new APP
paratus, and as a matter OF fact there
are more men on the payroll than ever
before in the history of the department;
more money is being paid out in SAL
aries and maintenance, and the depart
ment is more efficient than at any time
in its history. The Eel Paso fire depart
ment Is really ahead of the city and Is
now Keeping the Insurance rate or the
city at a minimum.
The small decrease for sewers does
not mean that this important part or
city government Is being neglected, but,
like In the fire department, the CORNER
appropriation covered materials now on
hand and not necessary.
The increase in the city engineering
department Is necessary to keep up
with the increased amount of work
through increased population, and this
department does work which Is also
covered by bond issues, and does not
show in the appropriations for sewer
and street departments.
The increase In the police department
IL simply an increase in the force con-
seuuent upon an increased population.
An Increase OF almost 5000 for
schools is the real guide to the In
creased settled population OF the year.
1t simply means that the increase for
the year 1909 has crowded the capacity
OF the schools to such an extent that
the coming year requires such an in
crease in the teaching and administra-
tive departments as calls for that
amount Of money. 1t Is the strongest
possible evidence Of the real growth
of the city Part of the increase is ac-
counted for by increases in the teach
nl.nnG npn
about the best paid in the United
States.
The total tax rate of the city for 1910
will be but $l90.
Continuous Growth.
This increased municipal expenditure
has gone along with the increasing pop
ulation. ana the consequently increas-
ing demands for public Improvements.
The items show that the increases are
always for the departments first feel
ing this increased population In all new
cities. and therefore the steadlness or
this growth, MS marked by these en-
forced. increased expenditures becomes
Of great interest, and shows as follows:
1907-8 ..,.., ...,,,,..,,,,.,.,.. S1O3, 224
190S-9 ,.. .......,,,..,, 46S,O00
1909-lO .,....,, .,.,,,..,,.,.,, O3l SUI
Public improvements.
During the year 1909 the city made
great progress with the many public
improvements in hand, including street
paving, which Is covered by bond
issue; the construction of cement walks
and curbing, done at the expense or
property owners; the extension Of the
city sewerage, and the Improvement of
the methods Of it's disposal the In
creaslng OF the city parks, and their inn
proVement; the paving of street cross
ings, which is done at city expense
the construction OF flood water sewers;
the opening Of number OF important
streets. and the Improvement of the
play grounds OF the different public
schools of the city
Public Parks,
The Herald has always been strong
advocate OF public parks and play
grounds for the children OF the city
and it is with pleasure that 1t records
an increased number of city pubic
parks for the year 1909, and grea
Improvement in their appearance,
The San Jaclnto park, the main plaza
has been greatly improved during TIT
year.
The library park has been improved
and made q place of beauty.
Cleveland square where the band CON