Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-31
THINKS BUDGET SEEKS
To- HIDE DEFICIENCY
Does Not Provide for All Expenses
City Will BE Called On
to Meet.
STREET CUT, BRINGS PROTEST.
Commissioner Beck Says Item Pro-
vided VIII Mean Laying or Part
OF Hands and Carts Force and
Abandonment Of Contracts.

Commissioner Henry p. Beck. of the
Administrative Board, is much disap-
pointed that the Finance Committee
did not make larger appropriation
for street improvements. and also rec
ommend that the city acquire Williams
Island to give better facilities for n
purer water supply. He thinks that the
city auditor was a little too cOnserva-
tive in making up his estimates. and
that he overlooked the fact that all OF
the bond Issue OF 100000 for streets
is used up on contracts now effective.
The situation may he improved. no
thinks. by issuing bonds for $4,000 for
sidewalk and alley paving, as most OF
this would he returned to the city In
the form OF local assessments. If this
plan should be deemed inadvisable, Mr..
Beck would like to have the guarantee
that all excess above the estimated rev.
enue be placed toward street improve
ment.
The Finance Committee recommend
cd only s1G5.000 for street improve
mcnts. sum generally regarded as
totally inadequate to the need. Out Of
this amount $4,000 will be expended
on the payroll OF the city hands, and
carts force, and about $4,000 will be
needed for the purchase of material
leaving only about $4,000 which will
go towards actual work.
WILL MEAN LAYING OFF
OF HANDS AND CARTS FORCE
AS matter OF fact the appropria-
ton recommended is not large enough
to keep the Street Department proper
ly employed. and a large percentage Of
the employees will have to be cut on
thereby increasing the present number
or the unemployed just at q time that
the city Is engaging It's resources In
hnding work for enforced idlers.
me budget comes UP for considera-
ton at the meeting nf
Council tomorrow night. 1t may meet
with opposition from those who are in
cltned TO view permanent street i'm
provement as of too much Importance
to be so lightly regarded BY the
Finance Committee.
Mr.. Beck is also an ardent advocate
OF the acquisition of Williamss Is
land. or In lieu OF that. to build a
nume from the intake OF the Settling
Basin to Bosher's DAM He says that
the acquisition of Williams's Island will
be the less expensive of the two plans,
and that IT will cost about 100000
10 construct fume. Some such work
VIII be absolutely necessary. in Mr..
Beck's opinion, II the city water is TO
be Kept pure. AS ii is now West
hampton sewage drains into the canal
and might at any time overflow into
the Settling Basin.
THINKS BUDGET SEEKS
~ HIDE DEFICIENCY
The budget proposed by the Commit
tee on Finance has not met with that
sympathetic reception which its franz
ers expected.
1T is not honest" was tho way one
member OF the city government ex-
pressed II last night. 1T seeks to
cover up an actual deficiency, By max
ing 1t appear that the city Is living
Within Its means. What l mean is
this The city is under contract to
eNpend 100000 on Improvement Of
roads In Hcnrico County this year, and
the budgct-makers knew II. Yet they
have. in budget which appropriates
The entire anticipated revenues for the
fiscal year provided only $4,000 for
this account They will have to bor-
row the remainder later. They have
cut the appropriation for the Gas
Works below that OF last year, though
they know the works must run, and
that coal and oil must be bought 10
Keep the plant In operation. There are
other items OF this sort that | might
name-things that the Finance Com
m!ttee Knows must be provided for
and yet has not seen fit to Include in
thc budget II the city Is living beyond
Its means II would be fairer to the
taxpayers TO come frankly out with
the schedule OF the. actual necessary
appropriations for the year, and let
the people know why're they stand"