The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-08-09
Another Change in Budget at
City Hall.
Commissioners Do Not Agree
on New LeYieS.
ROW IS DUE ON MONDAY
StOttS and Billiard Don't Like
Bones whiting.
Mayor Wants Motor Cars
StOtts Supports Parks.

A half mill-smalI as it Iooks-is
due Monday morning to start the big
gest row of the administration at the
city hall. The city commissioners do
not agree on the levy for taxes next
year-thelrs difference is based on a
half mill. Commissioners Tandy and
Bone have taken their pruning knife in
hand and as a result the budgets of
Mayor Billiard and Commissioner
Stotts look like an apple after a trip
through the cider mill. The mayor
and Stotts declare they are rot going
to stand for it. So there you area
rather stormy outlook. Ell?
Tandy and Bone want the city levy
cut down from mills to 6.5 mills.
cut cannot go below mills if the city
is going to progress. Commissioners
Miller rests calmly on the fence.
The trouble began when Bone whit
tled Stotts's park budget to a quarter
of a mill. Stotts wanted at least
half mill. He declared he couldn't t
carry out the improvements and main
tain the extensive Topeka park system
at less than this. Then Bone gently
waited his blade toward Mayor Bill
lard. 1t fell on the police and fire 1e-
partment motor cars. Then the mayor
raised his right hand-and the knife
was withdrawn slowly.
Today Commissioner Bone insists
that 6.5 mills is enough this year. 1t
would means a reduction of 112 mills
since the budget levy last year. Com
missioner Tandy agrees with Bone.
Mayor Billiard says he will be pleased If
the commissioners are able to shave the
budget to mills. Stotts says it will
take a better barber than Commissioner
Miller and the other cohorts to make
one and one-half mill shave.
And so it goes.
Here is what the mayor declares will
rest on his budget platform:
1.-THE police and fire department need
the motors I have included in my esti-
mates. The fire companies will have to
have a tractor at No. 3. Either this or
buy three horses-and the horses would
cost half much as a motor. And I
believe the taxpayers will be glad to
pay out small sum for police auto
chile. 1t is needed badly. 1 will not
allow the motors to be dropped from
my budget
Then Stotts takes the witness stand.
He says:
II notice that all the publicity pos
sible has been given to the statement
that Commissioner of Finance Bone
will reduce the city levy for next year
to 6.5 mills, a larger part of the re-
duction coming from the various de-
partments over which l have charge
Under the proposed plan there are to
be no municipal band concerts next
year.
81 favor the lowest possible levy
consistent with the operation of the
city on a sane basis and I know that
figures will not lie but why continue
the quotation. Under the plan pro-
posed by Mr.. Bone the departments
under me might well be discontfn-
ued. Abolish the departments of
health and sanitation, discontinue the
operation of the crematory, discharge
the sanitary police force and turn the
parks into COW pastures, for they
would then bring in some revenue.
Commissioner Bones budget shows an
increase under his smooth method OF
nruning and tax reduction. If he is
really on the square about reducing
the levy I would suggest that he DO
away with the city auditor and do
that officiaHs work himself