Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1910-06-18
DR.. CLAUDE'S ANSWER
His Reply To Letter OF Prof. Angelo Hall
Published In Capital.

In reply to Prof. Angelo Halls ref
erence to me in his letter published in
The Capital few days ago express
ing his Difference TO my knowledge of
city affairs, and in the following
clause of the same sentence disagree
ing with me. would state that two
years ago proposed bond issue, in
Guiding Madison and West streets.
the engine house and all the other
streets named in the present bond is
sue, was proposed and was defeated.
although it was clearly shown that
the tax rate could have been reduced
thereby.
The Council then levied for 81, 76I. II
to pay for the Rescue Hose House
and this or a part of this money was
applied to this purpose, and on Janu-
airy 1910 of this year the total amount
of indebtedness of the city was
$2,76l.41, which amount is in this
years budget the amount levied to
pay for what the Mayors report calls
the balance of note on Rescue Hose
Company's quarters.
The Rescue Hose House has been
paid for and there was no debt created
for that building, except what was
provided for in the levy. The only
debt created by the last administra-
tiOn, which was not provided for en-
tirely in the levy was Shipwright
street and the streets at Murray Hill.
| advocated the paving of the two
approaches to the city in my first rec
ommendation to the Board. We
naturally took up the foot of Glouces-
ter street first because it was impas-
sable for teams between the city and
Eastport. West street and Madison
streets were to come next and had it
not been for the emergency requiring
a new engine house, would have been
done. The engine house having been
paid for, what is to be done with this
balance left over, $7,761.41, which,
with the SIS, now in their state
ment and the $4,000 uncollected due
the city making $23, 761.41 which,
with the bond issue, should it pass,
would give this Council about $4S,-
600 to make of specified improve
ments less than SIG,
In conclusion the statement over
the names of Mayor Strange, Coun-
selor Melvin and Treasurer Gott,
showing "How the City can afford to
Carry Another Bond Issue of $24, 900
Without Increasing the Tax Rate"
is the strongest argument that can
be made showing why it is unneces-
sary to issue bonds. The cost of spec
flied improvements under the bond
issue ordinance is only SIS, 143. 90,
and their statement shows SIG, 492. Is
of resources to do this SIS, 143.00 of
improvements.
Then why issue $4,000 of bonds?
What is to be done with the $4,000
left over? The answer might be that
IS, 900 will be uncollected next July.
Then | would ask how are you going
to spend the SIS, 1000? If this work
could not be carried out without
bond issue ! would favor issuing
bonds, but / am not in favor of issu-
ing bonds and leaving the Council
the use of SIS, 900, make an apparent
good showing to influence voters at
the next election, with a promise of
a reduction of the tax rate in 1913.
Why not reduce the taxes now? These
improvements can be done now with
out bond issue and no increase in
the tax rate this year and a prospect
of reduction next year by judicious
management.
Let this Board that is facing no
financial crisis as the last did, and
with about 81, 900 more annual revenue
than when we asked for bond issue.
Let them solve the problem and make
real showing as we were forced to
do. Asthings turned out, am glad the
lastbond issue failed that recon-
mended and hope this one will not
pass.
GORDON II. CLAUDE.