Evening journal., 1911-12-01
STREET BOARD
$4,000 BEHIND
Needs S25,OOO Advance to Do
Needed Work Before
Winter Sets In
DEFICIT FROM LAST
YEAR CAUSE OF TROUBLE

The Board o. Street and Sewer
Commissioners held a special meeting
today TO take action on the decision
reached by the members of City
Council last night refusing to grant
the REQUEST Of the commissioners Tor
an advance Of $4,000 on account Of
its next quarterly appropriation
Council not only refused to grant
the advance but directed the Street
and Sewer Commissioners to set
forth in d etail just what the
money was wanted for. The next
appropriation of the department is
due in February.
Following the meeting of the COM
missioners, the following statement
WAS issued
The Street and Sewer Department
is appropriated. for current purposes.
the sum of S192,32O per annum, pay
able quarterly in August. November.
February and May I'm equal propor-
ionate sums. The work of the Street
and Sewer Department must neces-
sarily be accomplished during the
open season and it has ever been
the case that they must necessarily
have advances TO accomplish this.
making up their over expenditure
during the winter months or the
closed season. The members Of
Council who have served in previous
bodies know this.
Through an unfortunate occurrence
the last Council deducted the sum OF
S14,30250 from the appropriation of
1901, which burden the Department
had to assume on July 1st The cur
rent or corporate year Of the city of
Wilmington begins July LIST, but the
appropriations are not payable to the
City Departments until August, max
ing it necessary for the City Depart
ments TO. carry one month of the first
quarter without funds, payable that
current year. This follows throughout
the year, payments always being one
month behind the expenditures, con-
sequently, the Department is now cay-
rying the sum Of s14,3O2.5O which
necessarily had TO be taken from the
first quarters appropriation of this
year TO pay the deficit OF the preced-
ing year, added TO which, $4,000, an
approximate expenditure for one
month, makes a total of $4,000 which
the Department is behind al this time.
AT the last session of the Legisla-
ture an act, was passed requiring
Council to pass an appropriation Of
$4,000 in addition to the regular cur
rent appropriation for forestry pur-
poses. To this time Council has taken
absolutely no steps towards setting
up same, while the department has
been required, to degree. 10 shoulder
a portion Of this amount.
There appears to be an idea in the
minds of some people that because
the department has a large balance in
bank appropriated and paid from the
sale Of bonds that it can utilize this
fund for its current expenses. but
such is not the. case as that money
can only be expended for work as
specified in the ordinance providing
for the sale of bonds.
"The Department In consequence
OF the failure Of Council to provide
them with money, TO their deep re-
gret, have been unable to pay their
monthly payroll, approved on Tues
day, November 2Sth, aud in the ab-
sence Of receipts prior to next Tues
day the payroll Of fhe entire Depart
ment. excepting such portions Of the
pay-roll as are applicable 10 the
special fund must be withheld, as the
directors are forbidden by law to bor-
row money in the city's behalf.
morning paper states that the action
was q rebuke to the Street and Sewer
Department. The Department feels
that as It is simply a servant TO the
city administering to its requirements
to the extent of the funds appropri.
ated under the specific items. thai
there is no rebuke due that Depart
ment, but rather sympathy, as We
have been informed several times b,
the chairman of the finance commit
tee Of the Council when conferrinf
with him relative TO the above state
ments TO go ahead as best We coui6
and that Council would take care o.
us to the extent of their ability. The,
now ask for an investigation as tC
what purpose the funds are wanted
II is for the purpose OF cleaning th'
streets. raising the ashes and doins
some very NECESSARY street repairs
that should be concluded before win
ter cts in, saying nothing of lightinl
the streets at night. In other word'
the purpose for which the approprl
alton was made to the Street an'
Sewer Department by Council undei
specific items and with which Coun
.ii fe or should he fully cOnVerSant