Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1912-09-25
"WEDNESDAY. SEPT. 25, 1912
mPROvEMENTs AND RESPONSIBILITY.

T 10 folly for the members Of City Council to en-
desvor to pass back to the various city depart
ments the responsibility the lack OF money TO carry
out public imp rovements demanded by the people.
The departments operate, a rule, upon appropria-
tions made to them by City Council through the buu-
get If those appropriations be inadequate, It is the
fault of one except the City Councmen. provided
of course that in the estimates the departments
cd for money than allowed to them The
departments have right TO raise or lower the tax
rate. That Is clearly the function Of City Council.
The bulk Of she money for defrayng the city expenses
is raised through the tax levy made by authority Of
Council. There certain departmental revenues
which go to augment the fund but they are con-
sdered in fixing the rate. Therefore, It is clear
that II is imp orant part OF the duty OF City Coun
Gil TO provide the needed transact the cys
business and TO provide for public improvements
n the people demand certain improvements from
the Water Depa rtment the Street and Sewer Depart
ment the Department Of Education or any other city
department and that department has not at command
the money TO carry out that Improvement is clearly
the fault of City Council n fault there be- because
the department affected relies City Council for
the funds It needs to make improvements We fail
therefore, why Councilman Slower and his as
socates should complain that department officials are
trying ito make goats Of the Councilmen when they
inform those who desire public Improvements that they
cannot be supplied because Council has failed to
vote the money TO carry them out To our mind such
assertion is the bald and simple truth. and a fair
and square way OF putting where Il belongs the re-
sponsbility for shortages in departmental funds pro
vided, Of course there has been waste Of the
budget appropriations
The truth Of the matter is that the rate does not
bring in the that is needed for a large and
growing city such have here. The Councilmen
know IL; the department officials know it and as a
rule the people know H. So, what does II avail for
Councilman Slower any other Councilman TO talk
about anyone making goat" of him. Narrowed
th.
and his associates; the department officials and hun
dreds OF other persons know that the city rate ia
too low TO make up fund large enough to meet the
current expense Of the city and TO pay in
addition for the various improvements demand
ed. One might ask why the tax rate Is not
raised. Simply because the taxpayers. although they
the improvements do not want 70 contribute the
money them by Increased taxes and the Council
men, Republicans and Democrats. afraid to in
the tax rate in the face OF protest from the
taxpayers. The Councilmen know that the taxpayers
want both the milk and the meat; they know they
get them. and yet instead Of meeting the ques-
ton honestly and openly, they begin talking about
goats"
The Borough OF the Bronx in the city Of New York
has president by the Miller In dealing with
public improvement question. he has adopted
policy which II might be we'll for City Council to pui
into effect here and thereby pass back to where Il
properly belongs the responsibility for a shortage O
funds in the city treasury. When there is a camor
ing in the Bronx for public improvement and Il
ohcially before President Miller he calls
public meeting TO consider the matter. Between tn,
issuance of that call and the holding of the meeting
he has his engineers figure exactly what the improve
ment will cost and what the expense will be to the
taxpayers who clamoring for IT, When the meetins
h held. he arises and says you people are demand
ing this Improvement SO far as I am affected per
eunaIly shall be pleased for you 10 have IT, Before
you decide however, wish you to know exactly wha
Il is going to cost you. The information you will re
celve from my engineer as I am through 4
not guesswork The figures exactly what the,
say IT, when you have heard him. you still want tn
improvement and are willing TO pay for H. shall in
struct my TO go right ahead with the work.
will be your improvement and you will have 90 foe
the bill" The engineer then reads his report. II
discussed in open meeting by the taxpayers The
vote is taken. and if majority Of the taxpayer
favor the improvement It is put through and the pro
perry owners pay the bill. That is honest wa
of dealing with the taxpayers and ever hear
Of snyone being goat" Perhaps If Councilma
Slower aud his associates would do a little work
the Miller sort instead Of induleng in goat orator.
It would be better for Council and also for the severe
departments.