Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-12-30

VIE TeuuCIlOn Oh city water rates
from II Il to 10 cents per hun
= dred cubic feet, announced by
Commissioner Harry f. Bow
man, head of the water department,
will be received with approval by the
public. This is the second cut in
water rates since Mr.. Bowman took
charge a year ago. The fact that the
new superintendent was able to reduce
the minimum rate from Sc to IS and
now can add 1000 cubic feet to the
amount that may be used without eX-
ceeding the So cost is largely explained
by his policy of running the depart
ment purely for the benefit of the con-
sumer and not as dividend pro-
ducer. The annual surplus of other
days will be cut down under the new
rates. but the public will get the bene-
fit. This is all to Mr.. Bowmans credit.
In view of these facts few will re-
gard seriously the mutterings of Mayor
Royal against reducing the tax rate a
half mill this year because of the pos
sibilty of having to raise it to 91a
mills next year. The Republican coun-
cilmen have displayed ample ability to
figure closely" and the Mayors ex-
pressed fear that the city may suffer
under a 9-mill rate are not well
rounded-especially since every ap-
preparation is based upon the esti-
mates eff the Mayors own colleague in
Council, Mr.. Gorgas. Mayor Royal is
a clever politician and he plays the
game all the time. Just now he does
not like to see the city tax rate low
cred because he fears the reduction
will aid the Republican members in
their canvass for reelection next Fall.
The Republicans have been getting
entirely too much credit to suit his
Honor. who has been crowded pretty
well out of the limelight since the
Clark act went into effect.
Whatever may be the eventual re-
suits of the commission form of gov
ernment under which the third class
cities of the State are now operating
and the Clark act is still very much in
an experimental form-it must be con-
ceded that Harrisburg is ACCOMPLISH
ing under its provisions more than
many other municipalities that were
far more eager for it than was this
city.
For instance, Erie is facing an in
crease of tax rate for the coming year
while not one other third class mu-
nlcipality in Pennsylvania except Har-
risburg is likely to have a lower mill
age in 1915 than in 1914. Our own
Council has not only Topped a half
mill off the assessment, but our water
rates have been twice reduced and
ample provision has been made for +ha
needs Of the city during the coming
year.
This, despite the fact that it has been
found necessary to create a number of
new offices, including an increase of
SIX In the police force. Council has
been very conservative in this respect
A dozen policemen more would NOT
have been too many.
The new law also has changed the
method of making the assessment of
city property, and this in the end
while likely to be more effective. will
cost less in all probability than the
hS pdSSeiBe OL Ine ordinance
creating the place of city forester
meets a popular demand and will fiji
real need if the proper man is
chosen for the position. as now seems
certain.
Altogether the expenditures for the
coming year have been CAREFUL,
planned, SO far as indications point
and the councilmen appear to have
done about as well with the money at
their disposal as would appear pos
sible
However, Harrisburg has not vet set
It's seal of approval on the commission
form of government act. 1t has merely
decided to adopt President Wilson'S
policy of "watchful waiting" Our
people as we'll as our officials are
studying the law and its effects and
VIII be better able to express an in
telligent opinion concerning it two
years from now than at present.