The Detroit times., 1910-01-21
1910 DUDGET WILL
Be BIGGEST EVER
Estimates May Exceed $l2,oOo,0oo
and Rate Is Sure To Set
New Record.

N While the 1909 budget OF the city
was the largest ever placed before
the common council and board CT es-
Inmates for consideration. II is almost
certain that the 1910 budget viii sur
pass II In size. Demands for improve
ments. due to the rapid growth or the
city, are piling up. and the allowance
o. any great portion OF these VIII
mean an increase In the last tax rate
0f S18.07 which was the record mark
This prospect does not seem 10 be
particularly discouraging TO the bust
, ness interests, as a large portion OK
7 the requests for large Improvements
& have come from the Board OF Com
merce and other organizations OF bust
! ness interests. The idea OF going into
4 d city election next fall with a record
OF two years Of high taxation is max
I ing the city officials think very hard,
4 however.
While Mayor Breitmeyer had no d
rect part in the increase OF the tax
last year, his only influence in that
regard being his outspoken advocacy
OF a policy OF improvement, he is
4 kcnerally blamed for the tax rate.
This year the mayor is extremely con-
I servative In his utterances in this
regard.
one thing which might partially
I save the boosting of the tax rate
would be an increase in the bonding
limit Of the city. This has Deen talk
ed OF for some time, but no agree
ment has yet been reached as TO the
/ amount OF increase. An increase in
bonding limit would have to be APP
proved by popular vote, and no spe-
cial election for that purpose has
been called; none can be called now
until a time subsequent 10 the meet
ling OF the board of estimates. IL that
ibody In 10 authorize a large issue or
bonds, IL must authorize them con.
.tingent on the adoption OF such an
amendment, as the growth I'm the as
neased valuation OF the city cannot
take care of any great amount of
bonds.
In the department OF public works
there Is sure TO be big paving bud
Get. as the paving was pared down
very thin last year. There will also
ibe big estimates for two new trunk
I sewers to drain the northeastern anc
Northwestern sections OF the city.
( which latter may be taken care OF by
bonds II the limit Is raised
The park department needs Toney
% enlarge the Belle Isle bridge ap-
proach, for several proposed parks.
and for extensive improvements on
Belle Isle and other parks
Police Commissioner Croul has al
ready announced that he will ask for
40 Increase OF 200 patrolmen. IN al
difion, there is the plan for a new
municipal building OF buildings 10 !
house the recorders and police
courts. police headquarters and poor !
commission. /
The public lighting commission and I
the fre commission have plans for /
extension OF their work. which will I
require a great deal OF money. and
nc minor departments are also am
bilious for iinprovements-ali or
which cost money.
Another considerable item 10 be !
reckoned with Is the cost OF elections 4
Z m. the fall OF 1910 and spring OF 1911. 4
These are very costly affairs. II is /
20 be remembered that the only cleo /
fi0n included In the estimates for the I
present fiscal year was a special char
Ser election. to be held some time
next spring.
II will not be at all surprising II the !
total estimates OF 1910 run up
wards of s12.O00.0O0 and the figure
may be away beyond that.