The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1916-03-02
The City Finances.
A Statement From Hon. r. F. Dunton,
Mayor in 1914, and Reply by Mayor
Charles r. Coombs.

Charles r. Coombs.
BELFAST. MAINE. Feb. rs. 1916.
Hon. Charles R. Coombs, Mayor:
My dear Sir. In your analysed statement
of the cty's income and expenditures for the
last year. published in yesterdays Republican
Journal. you say: SIT may be of interest to
the taxpayers to know that the city has been
going behind yearly since the beginning of
1911; that in 1911 the expenditures exceeded
its income 81; 1872 $4537.75: 1913, $685.
"; 1914, $7323 33; total for the four years of
$2SS6e. CO." 1t is true that you afterwards
state that considerable portion of this $685.
~ was applicable to former years on account
OF unpaid bills and worthless assets taken
over by the 1914 administration. You also
very fairly give the administration of 1914
credit for the permanent investment of
$3267.S1 towards the Mcclellan school nnr.
chase.
let feel that your statement that the ex-
pehoitures OF 1914 exceeded the income of
that year by $7323 80, even in connection with
your further statement that considerable
portion Of this was applicable to other wears
must leave the impression upon the reader
that the financial condition of the citv was
not as good at the end of the Administrations of
1914, as it was at the beginning. which is NOT
correct.
Inc Ireasurers report of March 1914, shows
"a balance OF liabilities of s72,s79. 81, while the
report of March 1915 shows balance of $40
fso5'. an apparent increase of Sc, $40 63 instead
OF Si,3233Sr as stated by you, which discre-
pancy you can probably explain, and shall be
pleased to have you do So
Among the resources turned over To
the 1914 administration were I'm.
collected taxes due from F. W
Brown, collector, for the three
years of 1911, 1912 and 1918 s12 sse 30
This amount was reduced by abate
ments which had not been credited
to Mr.. Brown and his commissions so57o TX
and postage for the three wears for
which he had not received credit 1874 90
io'ai $4446 4S
The liabilities of the city as stated in the
Ireasurer's report of March, 1914. omitting
the trust funds, are as follows:
Bonds e.oo
Cemeteries 'uuo w
February roll of accounts Ia az ~
Bonded interest, I, 20 ~ ~
~, o- wafer oiiis 1920 90
The Treasurer's report of March
1910 shows payment during the
year of the February roll Of ac-
counts .,o,o
~ ~ oe0.' 14,411 81
The liability for cemeteries was Increased
S4.75 and passed on to your administrators
The water bills 100000 were passed alone
to you. The bonds of course remained ~
same The debts paid in addition to tho Eoh
ruary roll of accounts exceeded tho iten, of
$ll.7s0 by 2.631 81 (S144l1 81 paid, s11 7so M
reported, (S26Sl 81 balance)
In the resources turned over to the admins
tratlon of 1914, is an item of $l4OO due from tho
oeate OF Maine on account of State road. This
Is approximately the amount which wopld ha
due from the State when the contract for ,ho
Macadam road on High Street should he com.
pleted. The administration of 1913 had nor
formed approXimS tely one half the contract
The administration of 1914 was OBLIGED to ax-
pend more than $140O in completing the CON
tract, in order to receive this $1,000 from tba
State. At least one half of this amoun+ or
$'oo' was earned by and should be credited in
the administration of 1914 This asset sbouId
have been reported as approximately $500 in.
stead of S14OO.