Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1916-01-03
HIGH COST OF GOVERNMENT
WARNING BY MAYOR RAYMOND
Message to Common Council Cites Figures in Support of Dec
laration Concerning City observation-disclosures
Changes Under the Proposed New Charter.

In his message TO Common Council,
submitted to that body Saturday.
Mayor Thomas l.. Raymond reviewed
the work Of the past year in an
exhaustive manner and submitted
numerous recommendations in the line
Of municipal improvements. The text
of the message follows:
To the Honorable, the Common Conn-
Gil. of the City of Newark;
Conference.-The most important
matters for the consideration of the
people of Newark and their public
officials during the year 1916 will be
the increasing tax rate, due TO the
rapid and abnormal increase in the
bonded debt, the new charter. which
shall make possible an economic,
efiieient and business-like administra-
ton of the city's business, and the
proper and fitting celebration of the
9oOth anniversary of the founding and
settlement Of Newark.
The year promises to be an epoch
making one in the history of Newark,
There are decided indications Of the
stirring of a new spirit of citizenship,
which, IL properly directed, must re-
suit in tremendous benefit to the city.
While II is contemplated submit
ting the new charter to vote of the
people on q referendum, there would
seem to be no good reason for delay
Ing until then the passage OF such
legislation as lis and has for a long
time been necessary to place the ad-
ministrative departments Of the city
upon a business basis. There can be
no honest objection to the immediate
passage and putting into operation
of such legislation.
This legislation would provide for
the consolidation of the financial de-
partmenta of the city into o depart
ment of finance, In charge of single
director, under whom, In addition TO
the present departments of the COMP
troller, treasurer, auditor and receiver
of taxes, there would be constituted a
bureau of purchases and supplies, a
branch of municipal administration
which has not hitherto existed in the
city, but which municipalities are
gradually adopting and which Is the
method used in all large corporations
where economy is practiced for the
benefit of the stockholders, Taxpayers
are entitled to the benefit of a like
economy, In the city it would be
charged with the purchase and stan
dardizafion of supplies for all the city
departments under proper safeguards.
Such a department has proved highly
D successful In our county government,
i Public Welfare Department.
6. There is even greater occasion for
! the creation OF a department of pub
! lie welfare. likewise under a director,
(which shall be charged with the ad-
srrninistration of all city charitable in
Z aatitutions. employment bureaus, aims,
y entertainments and
~. .slehrations; of public markets, baths,
1ctt. 10 md FarTaQtiOn
se snters; setting out caring for and
arsemoval of shade trees in streets,
IS Highways and public places; the en-
forcement of regulations relating to
the use and sealing of weights and
measures and the duties of the pres
ont license department.
The present many headed commits
sions have proved unwieldy and
made administration difficult and
efficient management impossible, and
for this reason 1t Is proposed to
create a department of public safety,
under a director who shall take over
the administration Of the police and
lire departments, and department
of public health. which shall likewise
be placed under a single director.
Such changes as these suggested
will be productive OF immediate re-
suits for tho better in the economical
, administration of the departments
y and their efficient operation.
Positions requiring expert heads
such as those of health officer. su-
perintendent of recreation and super
intendent of schools should be filed
by the very best men in those fields
in the country. This proposition
would seem seif-evident. and yet
thero are those who protest against
going out of the city for such public
servants. Experts OF the highest
standing are more likely to be found
employed In our largest cities, and
thither we shall have to turn to find
them. IL is q narrow-minded local
pride which fails TO see the great ad-
vantages which would accrue TO the
city in getting the best men In the
country for these important branches
Of expert work.
Administration by committees OF
the Common Council in city as
large and important as Newark Is
obsolete and obstructive Of good goy-
eminent. Actual experience has
shown US that II is entirely unsatis-
factory. The contemplated legislation
will start the good work of business
like management, and make avail
able the best modern systems of ad-
ministration.
City Plan.
There are possibilities for useful
consideration by the City Plan Com
mission with the other branches of the
city government which might be
realized by legislation. It is nv hope
that during the present year some
such legislation may be considered
and decided upon which will extend
the power OF the commission, make
possible cooperative work by IL with
The other departments and develop a
general scheme for the growth of the
city for the future. In my opinion it
would be step backward in civic
development to fail to provide for the
maintenance of this commission for
the coming year. City planning has
become q recognized part OF municipal
work. and 1t is extremely important
that Newark, with its continuing
growth and development, should avail
itself of the benefits of such a system.
The people OF Newark must needs
give immediate and serious considera-
tion to the constantly increasing cost
OF government and the consequently
high taxes which result therefrom.
The assessments of real estate have
! nearly reached the actual value of the
property.
In my Hfst message 10 your nonor-
able body pointed out this situation,
and predicted an increase Of twenty
one points in the tax rate last year.
The increase was twenty points. The
greater part of this increase was
made necessary in order to meet the
\ interest and sinking fund charges
upon the enormous increase OF the
cify's bonded debt incurred In the
year 1914, amounting to sl00o0,00o In
round numbers, and this year further
additions have been made thereto.
while II is an unpleasant task con-
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