Evening journal., 1915-05-20

body, notwithstanding, nothing whatever
has been done to fully investigate the re-
ported shortage to fix responsibility there
for, and if possible to reimburse in case Of
loss, the City Treasury. In the same cate
CORY, is the action of Council in ordering
as we think contrary to law, the payment Of
fifteen hundred dollars (S15OO) TO the Board
of Assessment, Revision and Appeals. This
latter matter is made the worse when it is
considered that when the present admins
tration had itself been impressed with the
probable illegality of Councils action, in
stead Of turning the money back to the
proper channels, it has made haste to pro-
cure from the Legislature an enactment le-
galizing ex post facto the wrongful act.
We pledge ourselves in the event of cleo
tion on June 5th, to a strict and careful con-
sideration of all matters pertaining to taxa
ton. If investigation shall show a shortage
on the part of any former city official, every
effort will be made to reimburse the City
Treasury to the extent of the loss. We
promise that the peoples money shall not be
frittered away but shall be prudently ex-
pended for such things only as will supply
the real needs of the city, and to add to the
attractiveness cf the city as a place in which
70 live and to do business. We take it that
the people Of the city as citizens of intelli-
gence do not so much object to reasonable
expenditure as they do to an expenditure for
which there is no adequate return. We
promise that careful scrutiny shall be
given to all expenditures, and that some
thing Of value to the city, and in its real in
terest, shall show for every dollar paid out.
With regard to branches of government
not Of the city, but which concern the city,
we shall strive to show such a spirit Of CO.
operation in the interest of all the citizens
that real servants of the people will bend
every effort to protect the public against
recurrence Of the shame that has come to
the people in connection with Third street
and Washington street bridges.
The streets of the city necessarily require
full consideration on the part of the city
officials, and large sums of money have been
expended upon them, and must in the future
be expended for their upkeep and for the
paving of new streets. We believe that that
system should be followed which will pro-
duce the best results at the least cost. This,
we think, is the sole principle underlying
this important part of the city's business,
and that the maintenance Of the streets Of
the city should not be used as a cloak for the
continuance in power of any political party
through the employment of large bodies Of
men, particularly before election time, for
the doing of work long needed, and which
might just as we'll have been done previous
ly. We promise the people of the city that
a careful effort will be made to determine
whether or not it will be saving to the city
and in the interest of the people to have the
paving of the streets done under contract
by those who are experts in the business
and know from experience how to do the
work efficiently at the least possible cost. II
the results Of such investigation shall show
that the interest of the city demands the
contract system of street paving, we prom
ise that such system shall be promptly
adopted.
Insofar as the foregoing has to do with
the past, we believe it tallies with the facts
and with the experience and observation OF
all citizens. So far as the future is con.
cerned we say to the people that oui
pledges are made to be kept, when in office
as well as relied upon during the campaign
and we invite the cooperation of all citi
zens, regardless of party, to unite with u.
in our effort to bring to the city a clean
business-like government administered il
the interest Of all the people.
J. HARVEY SPRUANCE,
- r.