The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-01-10

Mayor Wilson in a communication ] addressed to the Board of Apportion- | ment and Taxation completely aban- doIs his pledge to establish a uniform tax rate of 15 mills and pleads with l the Board not to make the rate more than 15 and one-haIf mills.
 This communication follows the an
 nouncement by the Board of Assessors
 that there will be an increase in the
 grand list of more than $8,OOo oe0.
 The communication was received by the board at it's meeting for organi- zation, 2:3O o'clock this afternoon.
 It was then confidently expected that President A. M. Cooper would be reelected. Beyond the preliminary
 work Of getting ready for business nothing will be done today by the
 board.
 The Mayors message follows:
 'fGentIemen: Although I do not wish
 to usurp any of the powers which are peculiarly yours under our Charter, am taking the liberty of briefly out
 lining the policies which I would like
 to see carried out in reference to the appropriations to be made to the var
 ious city departments for the coming fiscal years.
 have advocated, since being in of
 
 which I believe would be ample were the city to bond for certain permanent improvements and issue serial notes for better paVen1entS and highways, which course would spread the cost thereof over the period of enjoyment instead of forcing it upon the avails the city does bond to this extent, am satisfied that with the many de mands which, in many cases. are not unreasonable, such a desirable result h faY will a nn$fn0nGd until that time. I trust, however, that the rate finally fixed by your Board will be under 15.5 mills.
 gro touch briefly upon the various departments and their needs for the coming year, would respectfully sub
 init the following:
 |"The Police Department should be developed along the lines of the ordin- ance submitted to the Common Coun- ell by the Board of Police Commis- sioners- This will entail an addition al expense of about $42,O00.O0 but I be- lieve that the better efficiency fully warrants this additional appropriation to meet this proposed development
 The Fire Department is, believe, one of the most efficient in the coun- try, and the only way that can sug- gest increased efficiency is by the sub stttution of notor-driven for horse drawn apparatus. I shall therefore suggest that possibly two CD tractors be tried out on two hook and ladder trucks, so that we may have our own experience as to this particular form of motor apparatus.
 tfThe Board of Charities is, I believe, l more efficiently conducted than at any time during it's history. The crying need in this branch is new aims l house, but I am unalterably opposed to an appropriation from current rev enue for the purpose of building such l 1mshouse. This, in my Judgment, is | a matter peculiarly the subject of a | bond issue. as it will in it's very na-
 @fThe Board of Health has increased ] it's work very materially and is ren- dering splendid service to the city | through the medium of it's school doc tor and visiting nurse. The expendi- ture of a considerable sum is recom- by this board for dental c1in- ic which is a subject that needs care full consideration. At the present ] time, I feel that I am not in a posi- ton to give you my mature judgment, but I will advise with you later dur ing the month.
 fThe Park Department is also do- ing splendid work but I think that it's energies this year had better be de- voted to a development of the proper ties already under it's control, rather than the acquiring of additional park deveIopme mt of the land now owned by the city Bostwick avenue into 3 playground for the children of that the opening up of the new territory recently added to l. Beardsley Park, and the possible in sta1lation of a comfort station, if the same can pc erected ana 6QulpP6d al reasonable cost. I would recom- mend that the sum of S11, 100000 which 1as been set aside by your Board for the acquisition of the Smith property adjoining Seaside park for several ears, be not appropriated this year, IS it will not be needed during the coming fiscal year even if the City I should renew the condemnation pro- l at this time
 The Library Board, I believe, has 10 great demands to be met at this ime. I would recommend in this con- I lection that the property be main { aimed in it's present excellent condi- { ion and it's supply of books rDaintain- I d with new additions but that any urther development of this depart I nent be left until it has been decided $ to what ought to be done with it's c present. property; whether the board c mould sell, or repair, or establish it's nafn building on this side of the river | I with a branch on the East Side, are .uestions which, in my opinion, should e first decided. C ''The Board of Educa tion, I should Q ay from my present knowledge, needs I 10 new buildings this coming year. ut it should have money enough ap- ropriated to 1t to finish and equip T hose now under construction The !