The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1914-09-26
CITY FINANCES

AT the last regular meeting 81 the
civ Council The Commissioner OF fi-
nance sounded note Of warning,
calling attention 70 the fact that the
cit, n revenues were falling short some
$4,000 Of the amount anticipated when
the budget was made. about year
aro Ihtg ehoftage ~ the revenue
Was due TO shrinkHFC IN the returns
from licensed Of about $1,000, aud from
taxes IA 80 amount of about el0Vo.
An amended report we undefstand,
catriea the shortage 10 SlSUo rms
condition dcyrlupes at time three
months before ,he expiration 81 the
fiscal wear. and proves father cmhar
rasalng II II made more 80 nv the
fact that the Commissioner OF Finance
a,pgrstg thai The Council should re
trench hy making uniform per cent
ACE cot III HE wages of all city EN-
ployeps The fact also tfanspires
That some of the departments have
exhausted their budgeted allowances.
Az we understand the problem,
there are 30 grounds FOR susree'iug, IN
ike absence Of the figures, that any
department has been protlIgatc ia its
expenditures. other than as iOreor-
dained ~ tbe budget 1t "a shrink
age of revenue that has brought about
the situation,
At q special meeting, subsequently
held the idea Of cutting the salaries
Was threshed out aud for most excel
tent reasons was abandoned,
An effort will hp made to borrow
money enough 10 tide over II the tax
money begins 20 come IN again. What
ever deficit there will then appear
will have to he provided for ia the
next budget This course is not with
out rs precedent.
The experience, however, is rather
appointing TO the tax payers, who
were assured only few months ago
that II would be perfectly feasible and
cafe 10 float a bond issue OF S4o,uOo,
the proCeodH of which to be devoted to
the extension Of the waterwolks, IN
stHlatiou Of a fire alarm system, and
other works Of public imrrovemeht
which bond issue. IT wa- affirmed,
would be card jor ont ~ ne surplus
rtrcHue ~ me citH In order TO take
care of the obligation consequent TO
this bond issue II WAS proposed that
$4,000 should be annually set aside for
a sinking fund and that $500 more
should he annually applied to satisfy
lug the demands # interest, making a
total of $500 Now, with $500, al
ready appearing as a deticit to he car
ell for out of tGe next years revenue,
the future Is not altogether promising.
Especially Is this the case in such
times as these, There are but few
property owners indeed WHO have not
experienced = shFiukage in their reve.
nuea from their holdings. 1t Il truly
a stout heart who can believingly de-
clare that hia property values have
not ehl INK IN consequence of the gener
al conditions now prevailing through
out the country. With shrinking val
ues On every hand, is there not danger
that next years tax and license reve-
uues Will again show an Increased
shortageP And can property stand
further increase of assessments?
There are few property owners, per.
haps, no would undo the extension
of the water mains, or who would wish
to take down the fire alarm. 1t IL a
bargain aud IL must be stood by Tie
promised pure water Is anticipated
with hopes of comfort and profit. We
have long needed these blessings We
can't have them without paying Tor
them. Aud they are among our great
est needs.
But this experience should prompt
for the future very clear headed
conservatism on the part Of those who
are vested with the authority OF admi-
mis- ering public affairs Otherwise,
the referendum may have to be invok Z.
ed TO prevent our biting off an embar-
RAISING chunk.
The conservatism of the other two
members of the Council has prompted
them to offer and pass an ordinance,
amending former ordinance, which
latter provided that all wooden side
walks, needing repairs, should be re.
placed by concrete walks. This was
done IN recognition of the distress OF
the holders OF small properties in the
outlying districts Of the city at this
particular time. Such conservatism
and consideration Is appreciated by
the owners of the small homes, and
may prevent many abandonments OF
| cunHseations