Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-04-22
SELLERS REPLIES
To BOATR|GHT'S
ANNUAL MESSAGE
References Of Present Mayor
TO Former Administration
Are Analysed by PredeceS-
Sor in Office.

Replying to references 10 lo' INV
administrations" made by Mayor
Boatright in ms annual message tor-
mcr Mayor u. X. y. Sellers Yesterday
made the following statement
| would not have annoyed inYseli
with Mayor Roatrlghts annual mes,
sage to his council, mud he mol louha
| II necessary to take the previous au-
mlnistratiOn to task
Mr.. Boatright cndcaVors to intl-
I n ate the figures OF Mr.. Mossman, an
acknowledged expert accountant em-
ployed TO audit the financial affairs
Of the city at the close OF the last ad-
ministsation, are misleading, and then
asks the public 10 accept his own COM
position, TO be bona fide.
He states the last administration
left to him balance of 81 4S6.20 sur
! plus in the general fund, but that
there were outstanding Judgments
debts and contracts already entered
into by the city, and for which the
city was liable. as follows;
Nick Metz ,............' 4ztoVVVV
Mrs K. w. ID. Bryan IS 10000
/ Motor fire engine .....$ 100000
Tex. BitulithiC Paving Co.$2,1b3.a4
making a total indebtedness and con-
| tracted Indebtedness Of Sl4,46O.54,
and dcducting from this amount the
surplus IN the general fund, left the
city owing an Indebtedness OF xl5,-
f04.3f above all funds available to
pay same. when he accepted his Of
flee.
The Nick Metz damage suit, brought
long before the Sellers administra-
ton, was for the sum Of $4,000 but
through the strenuous fight put up
/ 4 .s,g ha
claim of $4,000 was reduced TO only
$4,000. all costs involved in litigation
being taken care OF by the Sellers adj
minstration.
AZ to the 5000 paid Mrs. Il. w. ID.
Bryan by the Boatright adminstra-
ton. il might be recalled that over
s 800 was paid In cash for the open
ing and the widening of new streets
throughout the city during the Sellers
administration.
Regarding the $4,000 motor fire en-
gine one of the last acts of the Elder
administration was to purchase new
motor fire engine for the sum of
50 600, which was paid for during the
Sellers administration, besides pur-
chasing a chiefs new auto car and
police motorcycle paying for all in
full also new fire coats and helmets
and boots for the firemen.
AS to the amount paid the Texas
Bitulithlc Paving company by the
present administration. | might state
that more than double that amount
was paid by the Sellers adminstra-
ton for paving In front of the present
city hall and the new federal build
ing on Gold avenue. Besides, ovef
$1,000 was paid by the Sellers admin
~ 81 A.. al
new storm and sanitary sewer extern
sions
! particularly note the mayor points
out IN his message the extreme need
of more revenue, and recommends
virtually an increased occupation tax
aud "A license for all rooming houses
and those operating gasoline tanks In
the sidewalks within the city, some
five In number. which, at a tax Of $50
per year would amount 10 the sum
total of 500 to be applied for ac-
count Of $4,000 deficiency.
As a matter Of fact. | cannot help
but recall a statement published in
the Albuquerque Morning Journal
under date of March 81, 1914 over
the signature of MIR Boatright, then
republican candidate for mayor. which
In part reads as follows
We intend to cut OH certain reVe-
nue. received through the police de-
partment ana by ordinary business
judgment and economy make up the
small portion of the city's revenue
which II represents and If, by any
chance il cannot be SO made up. we
propose TO go down in our pockets
and dig up the difference
The mayor aud city council should
know that provision Is made by state
statute against whom occupation
taxes can be collected
| note the mayor says the admin
tration has lived within its income
also noted IN the report of the coun-
ell meeting that the city clerk was
Withholding warrant for $1,000
against the water fund.
heartily congratulate the mayor
on his recommendation against Jay
walking Besides, that doesn't cost
anything. Also the city attorney upon
the securing OF a decision In the Baca
w. City of Albuquerque case, which
was fought to the supreme court by
the Sellers administration.