The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-01
ALDERMEN ADOPT
ANNUAL BUDGET
Nielsen Charges Members With
Inconsistency in Regard
to Junketing.
PLANNING FOR BOND ISSUE
Fuller Wants Revision of City's
Fiscal System and Earlier
Budget.
PLANNING FOR BOND ISSUE

Without dissenting voics on the
final roll call. tho Board OF Alder
men last night concurrcd in the an
nual appropriation ordinance. appro-
nriating ss.+17,O35.s5 for the city gov
eminent during this year 1t will be
cnsrossed and presented to Mayor
Ainslie to-day Under the law the
Mayor may veto any individual item
without its affecting tho remaining
items, but the belief is general that
the ordinance will meet with executive
approval. and that tho funds will be
available by the first OF next week.
Inconsistent Says Nielsen.
a number of questions were asked
Chairman 4rundy, of tho Finance
Committee. last night In regard to va
rious items. The only effort to amend
the paper was made by Alderman Nell
son. OF Fulton, who proposed to strike
on. the item OF $4,000 for advertis-
ing the resources OF the city. At the
last meeting of tho Board OF Alder
men Mr.. Nielsen was the author of n
resolution which was hopelesslv re-
iectcd. appropriating $3.50 to pay tho
expenses OF members of the Common
Council and Board of Aldermen in at
lending the inauguration ceremonies in
Washington next week. Mr. Nelson
said he had not heretofore objected
10 the advertising item. and had voted
Tor II from year to year but he de-
sired to show the Inconsistency OF the
members who had laughed out of
court his proposed trip to Washing
ton. Practically all of tho advertis-
Ing appropriation. he stated. was used
Tor receptions, entertainments ana
boat trips TO visiting conventions. ana
TO these functions members OF the CITY
Council and their families are usually
invited.
Entertainment OF CounciImcn.
Mr.. Nielsen thought 1t as much an ad-
vertisemcnt Of the RESOURCES of the
city 10 havo II represented by its city
council IN a body In the inauguration
parade At Washington as IL was 10
nave Counciimen dine at tho Jefferson
with some visiting convention or tn
have Councilmen and their families
entertained on all-day excursions on
James River on some Old Dominion
steamer. with luncheon, light refresh
mcnts and liquors served at the cx-
pense of the municipality
MIR. Mitchell seemed to be the ONLY
member 10 take Mr.. Nielsen seriously.
lie contendcd that it was absurd to
tn'nk OF cutting out the appropria-
tion which has done so much for. Rich-
mond. and read list OF the conven-
tons which have adopted Richmond
AZ their meeting place for this wear
Mr.. Fuller suggested that there was
some difference between hospitan,,
reception TO visitors, III which the
chamber OF Commerce and other bodies
Joined. and IA mere junketing trip and
the Nielsen amendment was rejected.
The budget was thcreupon concurrod
IN as II came from the Common Conn
eli.
The "Littie BudgetU
hat Mr.. Powers called the little
puoset was then concurred ina Sc
rIes or 1our resolutions providing SIS,
so Tor purchase of a lot for public
school west of the Boulevard o:,Oou
Tor lot Tor lakewood public school;
S25.5o5 for acquisition of Lester street
property, and $4,000 for "A new meat
mouse for the First Market. amount
ing in all TO Sl13.Sc5. IT Is provided
mat the Committee on Finance, may ir
necessary. borrow money 70 meet these
Investments, the general fund To be
feimbursed at some later, day when
me city makes a general Improvement
pohd ISSUE to cover the walling in Of
Creek, the ercctioin OF new
schooi houses and the proposed Ninth
street FREQ Bridge
Chairman Grundy. Of Tn Finance
com mittee. briefly thanked 1.-The mem
pcrs Tor the consideration which thoy
mad given TO the work OF his commit
Tee IN preparing the budget and Mr.
\eisen spoke on the acquisition of the
Lester Street property, which he stated
Wonld open the way for the compile
nor OF that enterprise at an carly
date and made it possible for the
city to sell Oft tho lots PRINTING on
the new street nj price that will
repay r large part OF tho outlay.
WANTS Earlier Action.
MT. Puller asked whether it would
not be practicable for thcl Finance
committee TO formulate nj, annual
budget in December of each (yea.r and
report 1t to the Council by tile first OF
January. IT seemed absurd he said,
that il should take the city Fiscal Oft, :
GERS two or three months TO chose their
hooks and open them again and city
dcpartments be kept at a lsiandsti1i
Tor lack of funds when important pub
lie improvements might he under con-
tract. Chairman Grundy rcphied that
he and Special Accountant (trcnshaw
inill agreed that the budgeb should
he prepared two months cartier ana
that the methods OF city ba.okkeep-
ing, especially in the Auditor $ office.
should be revised. With the AID of the
Finance Committee he hopcn no an
other year 10 effect such cha}nSes TINT
the budget would be adoptcA and the
departments ready TO procScd with
their work Immediately aftetr closing
their books on the first day iof Janu-