Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-02-03
WALTON SHOWS
CITY'S FISCAL
STATUS WAIVERS
Controllers Report to
Councils Leaves Borrow
ing Capacity in Question
EFFECT ON PUBLIC WORKS
Falling Off in Revenues Created
Increased Deficit in Last
Year

The borrowing capacity of Philadelphia
is an unknown quantity, and until tn,
heads of departments and executives o
the city have ascertained the unfunded
debt obligations to be charged against this
borrowing capacity, this city will be IN
an extremely awkward position.
This became known today when Con.
troller Walton filed the 62d annual re.
port OF the City Controller with Coun-
ellis. In view of the numerous municipal
Improvements now contemplated the un-
certainty as to the borrowing capacity
is considered OF grave Importance, espe-
cially as the report also shows the amount
of general funds available for appropria-
tion on Janlary l. 1915, was only S6S6 O03.S5.
or $720. 420T less than was available jan
uary l. 1915, when the sum was S,406 42i.S2.
The document shows balance of S307,-
6076S not yet appropriated of the city
Controllers estimate for 1916, this making
a grand total of general funds available
for appropriation S993, ,611.6S, but as II is
necessary to set aside S532,50O for unpaid
mandamuses the amount now available in
the general fund for appropriation is only
$451, ,111.6S.
1915 DEFICIT EXCEEDS s2O0OO0O
1t is also shown that there was an
operating deficit for the year 1915 of 81
0S6, ,774.91, which is an increase over the
deficit of the previous year of 81, ,6lOl4,
and arises from an increase of 81 ,693, 9O6 20
in the city's expenses and an increase or
only S1l ,296 in the revenues with which
to meet them. The total expenditures
for the last year, as represented by dis
bursement vouchers audited by the city
Controller, were $2,jl9, ,7S5,l1.
The most important falling off in re-
ceipts in the year 1915 Is shown In the
Bureau of Water, and is attributed by
Controller Walton TO the low rate now
charged for installation of meters and Tor
meter consumption. The receipts of TINS
department have decreased Sli2,93i.H dur
ing the last year, while its expenditures
have increased 1914. .2TS.5l.
The report also shows that on January
I, 1915, there were park funds available
for appropriation to the extent OF Sl2,'
079,37. This sum together with the gem
erai and loan funds subject to appropria'
ton would Bring the total funds available
for the purpose up to S1,S65S76.4l. 1t Is
also shown that loans authorized and un-
issued January 1, 1915, total S21,710,OOO.
MUNICIPAL PROJECTS SAFE.
There are unexpended balances of loan
fund appropriations amounting to $23'-
72i. .492 81 on the books of the City Con-
trolIer which permit the immediate pros
ecution of n number of public works,
according to the report. Among these
are appropriations for the obtaining OF
n library site, for abolition of grade
crossings, for the erection of a conven-
ton hall, for parkway development, for
construction OF piers, street improve
ments, water supply, sewers, bridges
and the like.
MONEY DUE FROM STATE,
Controller walton's statement shows
si54.35s.41 due from the Commonwealth
for primary election expenses of 1914
and previous years, some of the, ac-
counts being due since 1907. Nothing
was received during the year 1915 on this
account, and 1t is urged that every ef-
fort should be made to collect these
funds.
IA another point in the report it is
pointed out that in past years there has
been inadequate provision for manda-
muses., and for that reason Comptroller
Walton recommends that at least S2,Oo,-
600 be included for this purpose in the
next permanent loan authorized during |
the year 1916.