The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-11-12
limiting NOW AT
HIGHER TAX rate
Continued From First Page.

ceed the appropriations, so arrange
ments were made to use the excess in
satisfying deficiencies which had becn
accruing for upwards of ten years and
also in providing for the payment of
the assessments incident to the paving
of the westside Of North Front street.
City Lacks Ready Money
The property owners on the east side
of the street paid for the east side
paving and the court has been asked
to determine whether the city or the
owners of the unimproved property on
the west side are liable. City officials
are of the opinion that the city will
be compelled to foot the bill.
At any rate all of the revenues ap-
propriated were expended during the
nine-month period and the same
amount must necessarily take care of
the coming full year, unless the mill
age is boosted. When the trainers of
the Clark commission form of govern
ment bill decided to change the begin
ming of the fiscal year in cities of the
third class from April l to January l.,
they also extended the time for begin
ming the collection of city taxes from
July l. to August l. That circum-
stance leaves Harrisburg with very lit
tie ready money-so to speak, with
which to carry on its affairs until
August l, and even a boost in the tax
rate would not remedy conditions be-
fore August.
There is the possibility Of the city
doing some temporary borrowing, al
though the commissioners yet hope
they will not be compelled to resort
to that method of raising funds.
Mayor Royal to-day said it will be
impossible to do much salary boosting
or to increase to any great extent the
city's fixed expenses, although he add
ed that he will in all probability ask
for five additional patrolmen and an
increase in the salary of Chief of Po-
lice Hutchison who now receives 81 500
year.
Wants More Motor Fire Apparatus
Since the Friendship Steam Fire En-.
gine Company has been given one of
the two motor combination chemical
and hose wagons, purchased last sum
mer, that company has found no use
for two of its five horses. Commission
er NJ. Harvey Taylor now plans to get
two or more tractors to be placed on
fire pparatus-one on the Friendship
steamer and the other on the Mt. Yer
non hook and ladder truck. Should he
carry out that plan the Friendship will
have no need for horses.
Mr.. Taylor has prepared further ten
tative plans under which he proposes
tearing out the horse stalls in the
Friendship fire house, and converting
the basement of that fire house into a
storage room for gasoline, oils and 9th
er necessaries which now are bought in
small quantities for use by the city.
1t Is his plan to put meters on the
oil and gasoline tanks so that all de
partments may be served from the
Friendship storage place and the prop.
er charge made to each. Besides the
two tractors he proposes buying, Mr..
Taylor also may try to get one or more
combination wagons next year.
The street sweepers purchased for
the Highway Department last summer,
Commissioner Lynch said, now are
working satisfactorily and with say.
ing to the city, and he plans TO buy
one or two more in the early spring of
1913. Unless he decides to purchase
two more, Mr.. Lynch said. he NAV YET
apparatus for flushing the streets.