The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-02-12
THE BOARDS REQUEST.

lection be made to the sum asked Of the finance
committee by the administrative board for the
operation of the four departments under its
direction Less than two million dollars for
water gas. street cleaning, cemeteries. markets.
grounds and buildings, city engineer ana for
other minor expenses IS a small sum for city
the size OF Ricbmond-sman whether considered
from the standpoint Of a lump sum or rom the
standpoint Of detailed expenses.
With no one item of moment can anyone find
grounds for opposition. Increases might be MADE
in some, but in none Of Importance could de-
creases be made without hampering the work
of the department,
In presenting It's detailed statement to the
finance committee, Mr.. Whittet, acting for the
board. stated that everything had been cut to the
bone; that the board asks for the appropriation
of the least possible amount. FRANKLY he told
the members OF the committee that the usual
custom OF those who ask for appropriations has
been disreEarded and that instead OF asking for
more than needed so as TO be able to stand n
cut, the board asks only for what is absolutely
necessary. II the finance committee can see
its way clear TO appropriate larger sums the
money could be used, but every cent asked for
Is NEEDED. In other words the board gives the
committee credit for willingness and anxiety 10
appropriate much as possible. Instead of re
garding II miser which will give only what
1t Is forced to give The board is playing
grab game, 1t is acting In conservative, bust
nesslike manner and Is creditinF the finance COM
mittee with desire to act in the same way The
I
each having confidence in tlfo other The GUS
tom OF regarding the approprating body
tagonistc and. consequently. to be hood
winked is not very frequently honored in the
breach. In city, State and nation 1t Is customary
for the administrative departments to put their
figures at the highest possible point the theory
that they will not get what they ask anyway.
and 1t is best TO be prepared to accept a sub
stantial reduction. The members of administra-
tive board have acted differently, asking for whag
is needed. that the finance committee as well
as they is DESTROYS of promoting the city's wei
fare, and that 1t has confidence In the ability of
the board properly to estimate correctly the
needs of the city
In presenting the boards request for an ap-
preparation of $1,s50.87095, Mr. Whittet did not
fail to emphasize one OF the most important
items In the boards budget~~the street cleaning
department. Rightly he called It the most
criticized department in the city government"
and he would not have been wide of the mark
had he said that 1t is the most important Ger
tainly, ii is the most important to the individual
comfort of the citizens and it is for that reason
as much for Its failngs. that ii Is the most
criticized It's faults evident to all and, while
they may be greater than those OF some otner
department. they are more obvious.
/ Two members of the board have worked long
and faithfully upon this budget. Commissioners
Mccarthy and Whittet have given 1t careful con-
sideration and what they ask, we are confident
/ is no more than what Is needed But while be
leving that all the appropriations asked for
should be granted, If possible, The Virgintan
would especially direct the attention OF the CON-
mittee to the street cleaning item. If the state
of the citys finances make 1t permissible the ap.
preparation OF s5l.e34 fer improvements equip
ment and additional men should be increased
That the board asked for this sum only does not
mean that q larger appropriation could not be
used, for the board asked for the least possible
sum To give the additional men asked by
Superintendent Cohn and to pay for the new
equipment which the board deems necessary
would require more than the ffty-one thousand
dollars asked. Seventy-eight additional men are
needed in the opinion of Mr. Cohn. The board
asks for appropriation to make possible the en-
ployment of only thirty-nine more men. The
Vtrgintan is not prepared TO say that seventy
eight additional men are needed. but Superin.
tendent Cohn thinks they are. The board asks
for only half that number, not necessarily be
cause 1t does not agree with the superintendent
but because It is asking only for absolute neces
sites. A little luxury In the matter of cleanli
ness can be afforded by Richmond and be-
lieve the citizens would approve a larger ap
preparation for this purpose If the finance CON-
mttee finds that the funds at its disposal make
the increase possible.
ABOLISH TOLL EXEMPTIONS.
InA~