The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-01-25

YEAR, 4 more THAN eVGF
impressed by the fact that the officials
generally ask for more thar they ek-
pect to get and, needless to state, for
much more than the city can afford TO
give them. This is unfortunate in
several respects, because it places the
responsibility of elimination on you
and me But it must be met and we
cannot shirk it, fors we have duties
towards the taxpayers as well to
me public officers making the requi-
S.tions
1t is our duty to provide adequately
for the wants of the city and to do it
in such a manner as not to burden too
much those who pay the taxes and
foot the bills.
regret to state that I cannot see
my way clear 80 provide adequately
Tor the pressing needs of the city,
without increasing the tax rate over
that of last year. but however desir-
able a low tax rate may be, it is not
an unmixed blessing if made low at
The expense of dispensing with or
Pestponing needed things.
1t is not political problem but
purely business one that confronts US,
and it would have to be fairly met,
no matter on whose shoulders the re-
sponsibilities of city government
might rest.
I have always advocated paying as
haEesRmae the phrase current expen-
ses' pretty brohdg 50 susv t6yincf6de new
school houses and other similar I'M
provements, usually classed elsewhere
as permanent improvements, as con-
slider them yearly necessities I there
Tore, IN the first place. eliminate
rom the list of acquisitions, all re-
quests for lands or buildings, except
school buildings and for an additional
payment for land purchased for park
purposes : at the West End, as an
agreement for such purchase has been
entered into between the property
wners in interest and the city, and
has also been approved by the Com
mon Council. I consider the following
matters of such a permanent charac-
ter as TO justify me in recommending
that bond issues be resorted to in
order TO meet them, provided of
course, that the people on a referen-
dunn vote so decide.
In FIRST DISTRICT.
New Almshouse and land for same.
New Isolation Hospital
New Bridge at North and Glenwood
avenues.
New Bridge at North avenue and
Rooster River
In SECOND DISTRICT.
Public Comfort Stations.
Land for new Park at North End.
Construction Of Boulevard and Ex-
tension Of Seawan at Seaside Park
recommend that bond issues be
asked Cor such purposes, by first pre-
senting the matters to the common
council for approval, and, if SO APP
presentation to the General Assembly,
and authority secured for such issues.
subject Of course 70 the areferenduin
November next. L haVe no doubt that
f such a course is pursued and the
matters fairly and fully presented 70,
ab1eness of at least some of the pro-
positions thus submitted and exercise
2 wise and salutRry discretion.
am convinced that it would be ex-
fail f. xrf7
ers to proTfitess = 1Sp HI tn e.. e. d esaeds of
taxation. in one or two years. for such
permanent improvements
All bonds issued by the city for
many years past. have been serial
bonds. payable IN reasonable annual
i1stallments, sufficient in amount to
pay the bonds within reasonable
time. and well within the life of the
improvements bonded for
I know that there is considerable
opposition to bonding but there are
many things that we should either
bond. for or go without.
Ills Just as necessary in our mod
for permanent improvements, as 1T is
for an Individual to do SO, and it is
entirely fair as [ view it SO to do.
trust that fuf4er expression Of
opinion on such important matters
as bond issues, can be procured on
such referendum vote. before the
matters can be considered fairly and.
finally settled.
At the annual city meeting on the
It'll NoEem Der, 1911, at which was
subEnit.ed, for instance, the question
q new almshOuse, the total vote cast,
both for and against the proposition,
was 1885. whereas, at the same city
meeting, the total vote cast for mayor,
was 1A.S74 or five times as great
Only one voter Of five voting at such
election evidently deemed the matter
for. asnEsv -salH1s1a0uBe, zE6Ts uuficfent I'M
poFtanee to cast his vote either for
or against the proposition. I think
that il such matters are deemed
worthy to be submitted to referen-
dunn vote, the voters ought to be alive
to the Importance of the issues in
on. BY such full vote only can we
get an expression of opinion of any
great value, and such as will guide US
in shaping our future course in mat
ters Of bond issues.
The GRAND LIST.
There is a very gratifying increase
to be sure in the city's grand list,
section is rapidly approaching in
yziue.
The Assessors Abstract shows an
increase of about $s,50O,oOs.
The particular properties, the valu-
alton of which has been increased f.y
the assessors, have not enhanced in
value that entire amount during the
past year, but have been, in the opin-
ION Of the assessors undervalued for
several years past.
The foregoing increase in the grand
list, figured on the basis of the tax
rate recommended by me, will realize
about $$140,00O.Go; a very handsome
sum- but it appears to be wholly in
adequate to meet but a fraction of the
increased demands for funds made in
the acquisitions of the various boards
and officers, If the same were fully
granted
have deemed it necessary, and
consider my action justifiable, to cut
or from such acquisitions about ST.
900, 100000.
Our Estimated Revenues.
1t was my candid belief, one year
ago, that our revenues for the current
year were overestinat in at least
one particular, that of adding IS 1000
10 the tax collections, in excess of the