Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1913-06-05
BUDGET GOES
THROUGH BY
DIVIDED VOTE
Board Of Education DiSSatiS-
fled Over Reduced Allow
anCe, May End Year
With Deficit
FOUR COUNCILMEN
OPPOSE THE MEASURE

The appropriation ordinance fixing
the amounts of money that shall be
allowed the different departments
of the city for the ensuing fiscal year,
passed City Council last night by
divided vote of to 4.
Councilman Zimmerman, Higgins,
Haney and McKeown, Democrats,
voted against the ordinance. Coun-
cilmen CohnOr, Kane, White, Slower,
Downs, Bilderback, Hinger and
President Benson voted for the Ordin-
ance. President Benson declared II
adopted and ordered it referred TO the
Mayor for his approval. Immediately
after the meeting several members
who has opposed the ordinance. Ques-
toned its validity on the grounds
that such an ordinance expending
money, required a two-third vote
Councilman Slower had anticipated
such a question and had gotten an
opinion from City Solicitor Daniel o.
Hastings stating that the appropria-
ton ordinance could be passed by
majority vote.
Samuel H. Baynard, president OF
the Board Of Education, William +.
Bancroft, president of the Board OF
Park Commissioners, and Councilman
Higgins opposed the passage of the
budget Mr.. Baynard opposed on the
grounds that if more money was not
given to the Board of Education,
that department could not meet It's
obligations either to the people or 70
is creditors without violating the
law Mr. Bancroft said that more
money should be given TO the PARK
board. THE poor people, he said
would be better off if they paid more
taxes and had better parks.
MIR. Higgins said the reason why ne
was opposed to the ordinance was
that the Street and Sewer Depart
ment was given money to maintain
an army of street supervisors al
year. while the police department
could not get enough money to pro
tect the citizens of the city.
MIR. Baynard admitted that Council
has a serious problem to meet al
the demands made upon II with thu
limited amount OF money at its com
mand. He thought something woul'
have TO be considered. He made l
clear that the Board Of Education i
careful in the management of its ar
fairs; It is economical all the tim
and gets full return for every dolla
spent. He said the law provides tina
the department shall provide school
accommodations for all the childrel
in the city but this cannot be don
with the amount Of money allowed Il
Many of the duties of the board ar
mandatory said Mr.. Baynard, yet tn
board has to depend upon City Coun
ell to carry out what the legislator
instructs il to. He said that $3.50
would have to be paid out in interes
of bonds during the coming year, tina
the Evan G.. Shortlidge school wi
cost $500 during the year: that tn
commercial course in the Hig
School will cost about $4,000; that tn
domestic science courses in the Hig
School will cost another $4,000 an
that with many other additional eS
penses of the board more money wi
he required if the board hopes {
finish the year without a deficit.
Mr.. Baynard did not think Counc
would want any Of the schools close'
Councilman Slower asked no
many out-of-town students attend'
the schools Mr. Baynard replied tn
no out-of-town students we're ev'
taken into the schools unless the
was a vacancy, and then the stude
must pay its pro rata share.
MIR. Slower said the Board OF Ed
cation is a separate corporation. A
nually Council must appropriate ce
tain money to it. Council has
ways met this obligation. The Ct
makes a levy of AZ cents on the 81
for school purposes and regardle
of what the city collects, he sal
the Board of Education always &c
what Is due il. He said the boa
never comes TO Council with an
thing unless it is in trouble. He sa
their present demands would mean
biz Increase in the tax rate which
made would compel the Counctlm'
who were responsible to leave tow
Mr.. Higgins opposed the ordinan
on account of it giving too mu
money to the Street and Sewer i
partment and not enough money
the Police Department He cXplal
ed that he could not vote for the bu
get because the Street and Sew
Department is allowed to mainta
an army of employees called sup'
visors and at the same time the l
lice Department which needs mo
men to give the citizens the prot'
ton they need is deprived Of the nj
essary increase. He said that II
Street and Sewer Department col
maintain its army of useless employ
the $4,000 taken from II would
given the Police Department
mere patrolmen could be employed
Mr.. Bancroft said he agreed wi
Mr. Ravnard and Thought that Il
mp to the Council to provide nec'
sary money for the Board Of Educ
ton. He declared that It was beti
for the poor man to pay few ceI
more taxes each year and to have b