Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-01-02

We have already set out on this new
work In Newark, and there is a great
necessity that we shall not be di-
Yerted from or halted in 1t. He is
the best public servant whose horizon
is broad and whose sense of perspec-
tive is accurate.
1.-THE gross funded indebtedness of
the city at this time of writing is
$50, 500, 200 compared to $29,3S5, 200 a
year ago. During the year bonds
amounting to $1,550,000 were issued
and sold, and bonds of $4,000 ma
tured and were paid out of the sink
ing fund. The sinking fund accumu-
lations amount to $500, 72s, so that
the net funded debt is $21, 902,472. The
ratio of the gross debt to the tax
able ratables is 1909 per cent. and
of the net debt to the ratables, 5.55
per cent. Included in the figures
given for the gross funded indebted
ness are water bonds to the amount
of s13,377 900, which are paid, interest
and sinking fund charges, out of the
revenues of the water department,
and therefore constitute no burden
upon the general taxpayer. The ratio
of that portion of the gross debt
which is a charge upon the general
taxpayer, interest and sinking fund
alike, is about 4.419 per cent to the
total ratables
During the year which lies before
us it will be necessary to issue bonds
in large amounts in payment for pro-
iects to which the city is already
committed, such as the Passaic Val
ley sewer, the almshouse, the public
schools, and the like. A vareful
scrutiny of all appropriations is
therefore particularly necessary at
this time.
Tax Complaints.
"There have been some complaints
during the year just ended about
high taxes. A ready answer could
be given to such complaints by citing
the failure of the city to have granted
its lust claim, as / consider it, to as
sess the so-called contingent reserve
fund of the Prudential Insurance
Company. But it would be well for
our taxpayers to consider that of the
revenues gathered by the city by no
means all are devoted to city pur-
poses The county taxes, over which
the city has no control, for instance,
have shown great increase in re-
cent years In 1907 the city paid the
county $1,554, 365.54. For 1918 the city
has paid, or will pay, to the county
81. 534 1863. 30. This is an increase of
but a few thousand less than $1,000
900 in seven yeaYs
II must not be understood as criti-
cising the county government in this.
The increase may have been entirely
justified, but it is an increase over
which the city has had no control and
for which the city is in no way re-
sponsible.
city Purchasing Bureau.
1.-THE thought that there should be
q central bureau or department to
look after all city purchasing, of
whatever description, and to supply
all city departments upon requisition
has long been in my mind. / have no
doubt that such an agency could
save many thousands of dollars q
wear, and that quality would not suf-
fer while low cost was being at
tanned. There is some force in the
objection to such system, based on
the assumption that single Off
cial would be in control, but | believe
that this would be largely, If not en-
tirely, removed by the placing of the
bureau in charge of board of three
one to be selected by the
Board of Street and Water Commits
sioners, one to be selected by the
lected by the Mayor. Thus the prin-
cipal branches of the city govern
ment would be represented, each by
a person acquainted with its needs
and methods.
almost every department of the
city government, however small, now
makes purchases independently, and
the city loses the advantage that
wholesale dealing would bring to it.
There are. moreover. frequent differ
ences with tradesmen in cases where
orders have been given, doubtless in
good faith, but without sufficient in
sistence upon, or understanding OF
prices. The work that a central pur-
chasing agency could do in the mere
matter of standardization and test
ing woul6 represent an important
saving, and if there should be added
TO it's duties the maintenance and re-
pair of vehicles and machines owned
by the city, such as automobiles,
wagons and the like, an opportunity
for another great economy would be
presented.
ITO create the Bureau of Purchases,
Supplies and Maintenance, If such
should be the title adopted, it will be
necessary to appeal to Trenton. The
legislative act, | am persuaded, can
be so Drawn as 10 permit II great utdl
of flexibility in the operations of the
bureau so as to provide fully the
needs of the several city departments,
and at the same time enforce the
maximum of economy.
Patented Pavements.
During the year controversy in
the Board of Street and Water Com
revived the question as to
the advisable of laying patented
in the city. The law per-
mits such pavements to be laid upon
the presentation of an affirmative
petition of the owners of more than
fifty per cent. of the property fronting
on the street to be paved.
IT have never favored patented
but I have always felt
that when a majority of the prop
erty owners on street. where traffic
is local and the question may be de-
scribed as purely of neighborhood in
terest, petition for such an improve
ment, the city should not deny them.
This is the position l have assumed
whenever this question has come be-
fore me.
There is a way. however. of pro-
ducing competition even where
patented pavements are concerned.
If the board, when advertising for
bids for such pavements. should. at
the same time, invite proposals for