The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-08-27

The city tax rate passed upon by
council last night at a special meet
ing, was fixed for the following year
at $110. the same as it has been
since 1905. In making the oppropria-
tions for the ensuing year, the officials
became generous and everybody re-
ceived raise in salary but the coun-
cilmen. The total increase in the sal
aries for next year over this year, will
be almost $4,000 The anticipated in
come of the city from taxes and other
resourc IS, exclusive of the light plant,
is $1SS, 1922.
The appropriation ordinance was
passed by the council as it was pre-
pared by City Attorney Bond Control
Ter McMahan and other officials, with
the exception of one change, the coun-
cilmen voting to increase the salary
of the park superintendent IS a
month.
Knife Was Freely Used,
Although a larger amount of money
is expected to be collected during
1914, several of the departments had
to be cut because Of the increased
salaries. The fund for paying the
city's share in improvements suffered
the most, the appropriation being
pruned from $4,000 to $4,000, al
though the total amount spent this
year by the street department is ex-
pected to exceed $4,000. For the
condemnation of property on North
Third street from the c. & o. depot to
North ID street, $4,000 was appropri-
ated for the board of works fund
Both the police and FIRE department
appropriations were cut this year, al
though the heads of both departments
had confidently expected to make ad-
ditions to their departments. The fire
chief was notified Monday that he
would not be granted the money for a
new auto ladder truck. but last night
was requested to investigate an offer
made by a Dayton company for a trac-
to- and ladder truck which will be of
fered at reduced rate at the fire
chiefs annual asenvention. in New
York city, nextssnonth. 1t is possible
that another appropriation will be
made for this purpose, councilmen said
last night
! Chief Gormon Don't Care.
II don't care" said Chief of Police
Gormon, when informed that his de-
partment would receive less in 1914
than in 1913. THE action of council
shows that the work of the department
fs satisfactory. I will manage to get
along on whatever is allowed"
City Attorney Bond stated to the
council that in increasing the appro-
priations for salaries, the action is
only in accordance with the laws re-
garding third class cities. AS Rich
fnond passes from the fourth class
into the third class in 1914, the salar-
tes were based as nearly as possible
on the same scale obtaining in other
third class cities.
Conflicting laws regarding third
class cities have made the salary ques-
tion a difficult one. Laws passed in
h913 fix salaries highe~ than law
passed in 1909 and at other times. The
officials clairt that the salaries were
fixed so that they would be in accord
iance WITH any laws for cities of the
class of Richmond.
May Abolish Works Board.
Council was in favor of abolishing
the board of works. but whether this
can be done or not is doubtful. City
Attorney Bond believes not, as there
Is provision in the acts of 1913
which says that the board of works
and Office of city controller shall be
continued in cities passing from the
fourth class into the third class, where
boards have existed before Another
law provides that the board of works
shall be constituted of three members
chosen from the council. the salaries
OF the members being fxed at $1,000
each.
This administration may not benefit
by the increase in salaries unless
Mayor Zimmerman is reelected this
GALL
Mayor Zimmerman was asked last
hight if he expected to benefit by the
raise of $500 annually, making the sal
ary for that office $4,000. He stated
that he expects to be elected, How
ever, he added. he does not care If his
salary is increased or not.
Fund for Lighting.
One of the expenditures which help
led to cut departmental az pRopriations