The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-29
Lower TAX rate
FINALLY Carries
Continued From First Page.

and last year we provided $4,000 to
cover the cost of paving the west side
of North Front street, an exiense which
the City not yet has been required to
meet.
The question raised by the Mayor
was considered by his colleagues to be
"purely TECHNICAL one of them said,
and no one attempted to offer an an
swer. The Republican members and
Commissioner Gorgas, Democrat, insist
ed that the nine mill tax rate was de-
cided upon after Mr.. Gorgas, estimates
showed that the receipts from all
sources in 1915 should be not less than
$555,O0O and the budget carries only
s552,0O0
Mayor Submits Figures
But the Mayor had figures which he
said he, too, had gathered from the
city records and by making compari-
sons with 1913 appropriations and
revenues, the Mayor insisted:
cannot understand how we are
going to take care of all these appro-
priations with reduced tax rate when
apparently the figures show that our
revenues will be less"
Later the Mayor touched upon the
departmental increases, saying that the
total budget for 1915 will exceed the
1913 budget by more than $4,000.
However, his colleagues pointed out
that in 1913 the departmental def
ciencies totaled more than $4,000,
which would really have made the cost
of running the city that year some
thing like $53S,000. 1t was also said
by the Mayors colleagues that the
natural increases in revenues from one
year to another have ran anywhere
from $4,000 to $4,000.
The Republican Commissioners took
issue with the Mayor when he remark
ed that the Clark act has not been
the means of running the city at less
cost than formerly, Commissioner Tav-
lor saying:
by economical administration we
have cut down the running expenses
and these reductions enabled us to
make the Improvements.
The mayors reply to that was TO
read from a record of departmental
increases which he has compiled. He
noted these appropriation boosts:
Executive Department, $6,44O; Law,
$500; Highway, $15,901; Sealer Of
Weights and Measures, 1910; Health,
S5,7O8; Food Inspection. sl692
Plumbing, s270; Park, s4,SOO Fire,
$4,000; Lighting, $S,956; Fire and
Police alarm, $2,385.
New Positions Created in Year
New positions created by the Com.
mission under the Clark act, the mayor
sand, are these: Planning Commission.
CITY Forester, Captain of Police, As.
slstant City Assessor, Assistant Health
Officer, three school inspectors. food in.
speetors, city chemist and six patrol
men.
This data the Mayor said he obtained
through comparisons with the 1919
and 1915 appropriation bills. Vie add
ed that he Favored them or most of
then" and remarked that many are
natural increases due to the growth of
the city.
Eventually the Mayor called for the
vote on the passage of the tax levy
ordinance. His colleagues favored it
without qualifying their vote, but the
Mayor said he favored it on the
strength of Commissioner Gorgas' state
ment that the revenues will take care
of the appropriations.
Ordinances introduced and passed on
first reading to-day included a meas.
ure providing for one additional patrol
mana traffic man to be stationed on
the Hill.
The contract for the construction of
golf club house in Reservoir Park
was awarded to j. A. McKelvey at his
bid of $2,194. To W. H. Murphy &
Son, Chambersburg, was awarded the
contract for the construction OF a con-
crete bridge over Spring creek at Cam.
eron street for $1,6S7