Evening journal., 1915-05-21

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 (S1500) 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-
CALLING ex post facto the wrongful act.
We pledge ourselves in the event of cleo
ton on June 5th, to a strict and careful con-
siderstion Of all matters pertaining to taxa
tion. If investigation shall show 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 Of the city as 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 a 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 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 citys 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 part,
through the employment Of large bodies O.
men, particularly before election time, TO
the doing Of work long needed, and whicl
might Just as well have been done previous
ly. We promise the people of the city tha
a careful effort will be made to determin
whether or not il will be saving to the cit
and in the interest of the people to have tn
having of the streets done under contrac
bv those who are experts in the business
and know from experience how to do tn
work efficiently at the least possible cost.
the results of such investigation shall sho'
that the interest Of the city demands tn
contract system Of street paving, we prom
Use that such system shall be prompt
adopted.
Insofar as the foregoing has to do wit
the uast, we believe it tallies with the fact
and with the experience and observation
all citizens. So far as the future is CO.
cerncd, we say to the people that ol
pledges are made to be kept, when in offiC
as well as relied upon during the campaig
and we invite the cooperation of all eli
zens, regardless of party, to unite with
in our effort to bring to the city cles
business-like government administered
the interest of all the people.