Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-27
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Condition of City Finances
Shown by Alderman.
OPPOSES HIGHER TAX RATE
Increase Considered Necessary, How
ever, if More Money Is
Raised by City.
OPPOSES HIGHER TAX RATE
pecial Correspondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, March %, 1912.
A striking feature of the statement OF
the finances of the city made last nigh
by Alderman III. X. Field. at a meeting OF
city council, from figures compiled from
the report of City Auditor f. F. Price
reads:
Il cannot see where we can raise ever
as much as $1JOOOO. unless the tax rate
is raised, or license tax increased, tt
opposed, and to which the people would
not submit
Are we to continue an endless chair
of settlement"
1t is declared in the opening of the
statement that the report is given b,
the finance committee. in view of the
various calls for money that are bein.
made on city council at this time.
Condition of Finances.
! The report sets forth that on the first
day of the present month the receipts
placed to the credit of the general
fund amounted to $129.971.46. 1t is also
set forth that March / warrants to
the amount of $142,20S.26 had been
drawn, paid and charged to the general
fund, or an excess of $12,235.80 above
the receipts.
treasurer was not entirely out of funds
at that date, because money to the
credit of other funds about balanced
this overdraft 1t is a fact well known
proceeds of the gas works are not
transferred to the general fund &C
count until the end of the fiscal year.
You are aware also, of the fact that
the treasurer enters all deposits and
warrants on his cash book before sep
arating or charging them to the gen
of the general fund $142, 20S 26; that we
and school account, hence the balance
shows the true condition of the treas
ury, but the cityS money does it's work
until all is exhausted. The fact re-
mains, however, that we have paid out
Of the general fund s14.2OS26, that we
will be called upon for $4,000 or more be-
fore the close of the fiscal year in ad.
dition to the $4,000 for the purchase OF
lot for school purposes"
Further on the report says: There has
been some talk about the extra money
to be received by the public schools from
the next five years. This may be true.
but none of it will be received this wear.
The superintendent of schools, I am in
formed. stated two weeks ago that we
WOuIU Tedllze HOtllIlS TINS year.
Last year, 1910 and 1911, We made two
extra appropriations for schools Of SIS. 600
for improvements at Lee and Washing
ton schools! and at the end of the year
$500 made necessary by the decrease in
the state apportionment of our city.
I'VE appropriated last year $21 900 and
this year $15.725. but the school year
has not closed, and perhaps council may
be asked for more, notwithstanding the
school fund has received more this wear
from both the general state apportion-
ment and the literary fund than last
year. From figures handed I find they
have received this year $7.S1a.23, and last
year the amount was s6&1 r.
Debate on Bond Issue.
Most of the session was taken up in
hearing debates on the resolution of
Councilman Howard W. Smith providing
for a bond issue of 100000 for street
improvements. which it proposes shall be
voted on in the primary April % next.
The bill was referred to the finance
committee.
The higher branch of council passed a
resolution permitting the city to borrow
$4,000 to meet the present deficit. Under
the rules 1t was laid over in the lower
branch Of council.
A resolution Of Councilman Leadbeater
for grading and paving Peyton street