Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-03-22
CITIES or IOWA RECENTLY MADE
DRY COMPELLED no me-
ADJUST FINANCES.
Al SORTS or PLANS
BEING REsoRTED TO
Police and Firs DEPARTMENTS Reduced
and Tax LsviYs Being Increased
o&umva Resorts to Public subserip-
items 70 Tide City over-Heps For
New Laws BY Legislature. K

Council Bluffs, March 22.-Expedi-
ents adopted. by various cities of Iowa
to recoup their losses OF revenue from
liquor licenses were.et the subject of a
dozen letters which City Treasurer F.
4. True read to the city council in con-
nection with the Joint report Of himself
and city Auditor McAneney on the
State OF the city exchequer for the
coming year. r.. rs.
! Treasurer True said that by strict
economy. for which they had been at
times criticized, they had been able to
save sum Of money from the appro-
priations Of the current year, which
will be available to add to the general
fund for the coming year, so that the
legal maximum tax for general fund
purposes. 10 mills on q one-quarter
valuation. added to the saving. with
minor prospective income will give the
city Approximately $4,000 for general
fund purposes next year. The general
fund appropriation this year was $685.
0G0. ,s4s.---
In reading the letters the treasurer
explained that he had been concerned
as to the source from which money
could be made available and had writ
ten the heads of the principal cities of
the state, asking what means were be-
ing aopted by them to meet the de-
ffciency. Some Of the answers were
illuminating and some were or little OF
no use TO Council Bluffs on account, Of
different conditions, but al were Ia
terestinE. - EsSssfF tssafSs !
Use Pubic sss,. -: : 81 ti.;: =.'---
Ottumwa reported that rigid econ
on1y was being practiced and that for
the current year public subscription
was taken up, which Melted $4,000 for
use IN paying firemen and police. The
forces both have been materially re-
sduced and the city sees little chance
except by raising licenses on some an
dustries and adding others to the list
OF licensed businesses.T
Davenport has none of the difficult
ties Of other Iowa cities, since It Is
governed under q special charter which
permits tax levies on one half the &C
tIal value Of property and in its his
tory under the character has never
been Obliged to come near its legas
maximum Of taxation, SO that q wide
margin IL left for contingencies such as
the present. Davenport is sorry for
Council Bluffs, however. 8
Fort Dodge sees no way out but to
Increase the levies wherever possible
and still finds herself short, SO that
reduction in appropriations seems the
only way out. +@t.is%s - - s'''N
Cedar Rapids faces deficiency
which appears 10 be amenabIe only to
! rigid pairing Of expenses every way
Tax Arsavyays in Dies Moinss. II,
Des Moines has practiced pinching
economy, raising licenses. and looking
over the field saw chance to impose
u special tax on all buildings or prop
erty which encroached on streets. sup
plemented by light bond issue. The
special tax on getaways, areas stair
ways on the outside of buildings
brought q good sum 50 that the mayor
writes "by shrinking the boy and
stretching the CLOTH" they will, manage
TO squeeze thru the coming year. with
no idea OF what will be necessary next
time. g NJ. r.
waterloo sees nothing but breakers
ahead unless the legislature shall
change existing laws to raise the
amount Of tax possible for general fund
or permit transfers from over
funds to those more needy. Ends. with
plea, II ron find something good, pass
st along" T.
Sioux City whose city auditor is
named True and therefore predisposed
toward Council Bluffs, extends her
sympathy, but offers no advice, as
Sioux City, working under commission
form Of government. has certain spe-
ciaI powers and prerogstives not avail