Evening journal., 1913-05-30

oioiy 70 prevent vote Delne taken
on the budget appropriations ordin-
ance) for the next fiscal year begin
ming July /. This was done after
the tax rate was fixed at sl53. II
requires two-thirds vote to pass an
ordinance carrying with it the expen-
diture of money. and it is charged by
some of the Republican members that
the four Councilmen who left their
seats, all Democrats. made the move
so that there would not be a two
thirds vote present when the appro
priations ordinance was brought up
to be passed upon. They we're pres
ent earlier in the evening and par
ticipated in conference in tn
Mayors Office
The Councilmen were: Jacob Zim-
mermann. First ward; John J. Hauey.
Tenth ward; James A. McKeown.
Eleventh ward. and Samuel Il.
Hinger. Twelfth ward.
The reason the men would not re-
main TO vote on the appropriations
ordinance, II is said. was because Of
a difference Of opinion with the mem
Gus budget items. The appropriations
OF the various departments had
been cut down by the finance COM
mittee until they came within the es-
timated revenues of the city for the
next fiscal year, and without increas-
ing the tax rate.
Before Council met in regular scs-
sion after holding a short recess.
meeting from last Thursday night
conference between all the members
was held in Mayor Howell's Office to
discuss the budget and there was
some opposition from the Democratic
side relative to sums allowed some OF
the departments, the claim being
made that the appropriations in some
instances were not sufficient to main
tain the departments and would be-
come exhausted before the end of the
fiscal year. For instance one MEM
Der said he thought the Police De-
partment should have more money to
increase the force and he was willing
that the Street and Sewer Department
should receive less that the police
might be provided for. There already
Is cut in the appropriation of that
department There we're other SINH
lar objections but it was thought that
when the conference had ended all
the rough spots had been smoothed
over. and the members were ready to
vote on the appropriations ordinance
when it was presented
Colonel w. +. Stover, chairman of
the finance committee. at first pre-
sented a report OF that committee
relative to the citys estimated reve-
aues for the next fiscal year and
recommended that the tax rate be
liked at s1.53 on each one hundred
dollars OF assessment. the same as
the present figure. He moved that
he report he adopted and the motion
was seconded. but before a vote was
taken William 7. Bancroft, president
Of the Board Of Park Commissioners,
who was present. was on his feet.
MY impression is that the appro-
priations cannot met II proper re-
sponsibilities OF the city
Colonel Stover in reply to Mr. Ran
sroft said he did not care TO argue
The matter He said. however. that
certain people had come TO him and
urged an increase i'm the tax rate He
added, however. that the members of
Council had been elected to look after
The interests Of the people and he
considered the tax rat rather high,
compared with other cities Of the
same size He said tn committee
bad gone into the matter carefully
and on the whole he was OF the opin-
Ion that the different departments
II Il
upon them, provided they practiced
economy.
Colonel Stover said the increase
asked for by the different depart
ments aggregated $1,000, which II
granted, would necessitate a material
Increase in the tax rate and he did
not believe the people we're willing
that the present rate should be in
creased.
Mr. Bancroft wanted to know when
the appropriations Of the departments
we're decided upon.
did you do it in secret session,
be asked.
He was informed by President Ben
son that the appropriations were
fixed in a meeting of Council sitting
as a committee of the whole.
MIR. Bancroft volunteered the advise
that this was not the proper way to
transact the city's business.
Mr.. Bilderback. of the Ninth ward
said he thought the different depart
ments we're given a hearing by the
finance committee of Council relative
to the financial needs for next year
Mr.. A. Higgins. Of the Third ward
considered the present tax rate high
enough and that the people generally
d'd not want it increased.
At this iuncture President Benson
called a vote on the motion to ADOPT
the finance committees report ano
again Mr.. Bancroft arose stating thai
If he was in order he would like tC
take up with the Council the amount
allowed the Park Commission to con
slider what that board could get alonl
with next year.
Mfr. Bancroft sat down and Presi
dent Benson asked: Are there an.
further remarks?r There we're noni
and he put the motion, and it wal
unanimously carried.
Whether Mr.. Bancroft's remarks
had any effect on the members is ;
matter of conjecture. At any even
while other routine business was be
ing transacted and before the appro
priations ordinance could be pre-
sented four Democratic members lef
the chamber. When Colonel Stove
looked around short time later III
found that there was not two-third
of the members present and he there
fore could not present the budget.
Once when some one made a motion
to refer something that had beei
brought up. to the Council as a com