Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-11-02
OFFICIAL HECKLED
ON HIGHER TAXES
Kearny Councilman Replies TO
Queries and Explains
Raise.
TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION
HAS SPIRITED MEETING
Others Piled With Questions by
Citizens in Kearny
Hall.


There were lively doings last night
at the meeting of the Citizens ana
Taxpayers Association or the Ffrst
and Second wards Of Kearny in
| Greatorex's Hall, Johnston avenue.
Every candidate In the town was m
vited to be present, but only a few
were able to be on hand owing TO
Pother engagements.
Councilman James j. McAteer, VINO
represents the Second ward. and who
is chairman of the finance commit
tee of the Council, explained the tax
rate from 1875 and showed his hear
ers that in several previous years
| the rate has been heavier than the
present year. He claims his political
enemies are trying TO make capital
out of the present raise and place the
blame on him.
Former School Commissioner Wal
ter Brooks questioned Mr.. McAteer,
former Councilman David Reid and
John i. Anderson, candidate for
councilman in the Second ward. He
wanted to know If they would heed
the voice of the people before voting
on any question. Each candidate re-
| sponded in the affirmative.
Explains Councils Acts.
Councilman McAteer was also ques-
toned by David Reid and William
Taylor. who, it is understood, is a
Socialist. Mr.. Reid said that a saw
ing could have been made in the
pavement in Tappan street. * asked
Mr.. McAteer why the Council dis not
place the granite block on sand in
stead of on a concrete foundation.
MI. McAteer answered thar the Coun-
ell could only do that which the peo-
pie petitioned them to do, and de-
clared that the pavement in Tappan
street was n of the best in towa.
In .answer to the repeated question
what he would do If elected in case
the people petitioned the Council in
public affairs, Mr.. McAteer replied
that he would always abide by the
judgment Of the people as their serv-
ant, and pointed out the cases OF
Davis and Kearny avenues, where he
was instrumental in calling the peo-
pie together in the Town Hall for
the purpose of conference with the
members of the Council.
Mr.. McAteer's speech in part was
as follows:
Submits Figures.
"A candidate for the Office Of
Gilman in the Third ward saw fit TO
dispute my figures as to the actual
increase in taxation aver which the
Council has direct jurisdiction and
the items Owe which the present
Council actually has control. | gave
the increase. as $2.150. and r repeat
here that this figure is correct. I
explained at length to the Council
how the figures were arrived at. /
laid before the Council my report
showing the increase in the county
tax. the school budget, the interest
on town debt and the sinking fund,
all Of which payments have to be
met, not because they are current ex-
penses which might be juggled with
political ingenuity, but because they
are items which must be incurred to
meet the demands Of the people and
the demands of higher authority In
the form of State and county gov
eminent.
II showed to the mayor and other
members of the Common Council
that the bulk of increase in taxation
was caused by the increase in the
county tax of $25, $500. In the State
school tax of ss,2S4.22. / showed that
the increases in the local school bud
get were: For teachers and janitors'
salaries, fuel. repairs, supplies and
other expenses, amounted to $3.50;
for manual training. $675; for interest
on school bonds, 81, 775, and for the
school sinking fund, s5,666.67. 1
pointed out that while these amounts
we're not within jurisdiction for the
Councils consideration. they were
necessary and unavoidable. | did not
point out to the Council where the
amounts were calculated to be spent,
but to you gentlemen I desire~to do.
So"
After explaining where the money
should be used, MI. McAteer con-
tinued: I'm regard to the general
town affairs and in connection with
the tax budget therefor, l would
point out that the two largest IN
~creases occur in the interest on town
debit account and in the sinking
fund. There is an increase in the IN
terest account of $500. and In The
sinking fund of &c. 66. Sc, aused by
bond issues for the new frehouse
and fire apparatus, amounting TO
$40, 900: the Kearny avenue pavement,
amounting to Sos, 200. and street I'M
provement bonds, amounting to sS0,OOV,
which are assessment accounts. Al
though the town at large must now
bear the interest charges. It Will
come back with interest to the town
when the street assessments are paid
by the property holders"
MI. McAteer gave figures of the
tax rate from 1875 to date, showing
several rates higher than this years,