Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-11-01
pkRE MEN DODGE
S252 TAX RATE
Finance Chairman Disre-
CARDS Controllers Warning
Until After Election
BILL RETAINS OLD LEVY

In 4he face OF statement by Controller
WhIion that a s2.Bs tax rate in 1913 was
necessary n present extravaeant gov
trninental methods are to continue, Joseph
W Gnffney the Ware head OF the Finance
f'oinniittee, this afternoon introduced an
ofdibaDce nxine the tax rate for 1918 at
Sf.2S with an additional fifty cents for
educational purposes.
At the same time Gaffney made long
etatement belittiing the statement made in
Controller Walton's report. Chairman Gaff-
ney slid that the present tax rate intro
duced this afternoon will form a basis for
olecuesion when the subject Is brought up
in the Finance Committee of Councils. The
: tax rate must be fixed by December 1.
- introduction of the Gsffney resoiu-
win shelve all increased tax discus
until after election day next Tuesday.
Nc Controllers report was referred to
Finance Committee. In commenting upon
~ report Chairman Gaffney said in part:
~ have not had. of course, an oppor
filnlty to analyze in detail the Controllers
eatinlate hut from the morning newspapers
he has made II as sad and sorrowful as
he could. He has not. however wiped out
Of the heavens the sun. moon and stars
shey stil continue to give their light.
warmth and offer hope But even a casual
. examination Of the figures In the Con-
#~Xory prepared for popular consumption is
pt supported by the Controllers own fig
res
THIS year the requests total S4s,791,-
/I 1s27. Every member of Councils will be
a Furnished with a copy Of these requests.
When the smoke of the political battle now
= veloping the entine city has cleared away,
W. viii settle down to consider these re-
quests. not as partisans, not as factionalists,
but as the representatives of all the people.
IS We have on our hands the preparation of
no ordinary budget. AS chairman of that
very important committee. I invite the aid.
IN making that budget, not only OF every
member OF Select and Common Councils,
bue Of every unselfish citizen and organ-
nation familiar with and interested in
proper solution of the city's great financial
Problems. None Of should be carried Of,
our feet by the general and sweeping
4charges now being m lde upon, the stump
Fnch epidemics are neither new nor confined
No Phladelphia-they are to be found
Wherever political battles rage.
Last Friday / read in the LEDGER that
the turn Of Judge Hylan. the Tammany
candidate for Mayor of New York city,
who had been prancing about that city
vigorously attacking extraragant Mayor
Nifchel's budget for 1913. had been c lled
by the Mayor. who invited Judge Hylan
10 appear before the budget committee at
It's hearing and say just what should be
1u0tst out OF the budget of 1918. And
,day, in Philadelphia not only is an invi--
alton extended, but | say IT is the duty
81 every person who Is now making gen
"eral charges. TO appear before the Finance
g. Committee at its budget meeting this month
"A n7d specifically point out eNtravagshce and
n waste. regardless Of whom It may hit
nuui stc complanants every opportunity
90 be lseard. and II any man. emplCyP or
ccnfrF ctor, is improperly obtaining money
from the City Treasury. then the citizens
of Philadelphia should have 1t definitely
Established that information may be lodged
with the District Attorney for speedy prose
cution.
Il say candidIy and honestly to the
people of Philadelphia, have done be-
fore. that neither politics nor political
parties will their financial ills. Be
fore Philadelphia can make any real sub
= stantiai progress three reforms are essen
TALLY necessary: First. separate assess
nnent of land and buildings second,
ancient machinery for this collection Of
taxes upon personal property; third. a
modern system OF financing and accounting
on revenue and expense basis.
SHOP CoLLooUY
Al the conclusion Of Mr.. Gaffney's speech.
Common Councilman Lamberton, of the
Twenty-second Ward. demanded to know
d II the tax rate next year will not be over
Gafney replied '"rhe question is unfair.
Search your own conscience. Is not the
question asked for political purpose?"
Lamberton replied. THE citizens of Phila,
delpbia have the right TO know. as Tar as
y POSSIBLE what they win have 10 pay. II
Nh unfair 20 cover 1t up until after election,
rhls is certainly for political purposes"
In reply, Gaffney said, III any one is
Frongfully taking money from the city,
# even the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., contractors
I ,.li@ ~ '0'" WIZ" ''u :" ' ~
Lanaberton replied, 81 want to make GER
tain charges here a member of this
body. charge that during the last two
weeks city employees have been used for
political purposes employe of this body
has been aiding In legal proceedings police
+ and firenen are being used in politics other
city employees are being used as wrtt-servers'
and protest against such action"
At this point Gaffney jumped to his feet
and said II think you viii hnd Judge
kof the court in Philadelphia is doing eN-
ectIy the same thing these others are
6oingy
Morris f. Conn., OF the Eighth Ward. who
presided IN the absence of DR.. Edward B.
GieAe0n, put end to further discussion
BY calling for continuation of the regular
order of business.
From figures given out in Controller
Wniton's statement today IT was estimated
that the tax for 1918 would be $2.is.
Controller Walton In his report TO Coun-
oils fnds that the city has borrowing
faDaclty for port and transit facilities Of
1t.fo0.0oo and in addition a borrowing
capacity for any municipal purpose Of S2,-
10D.oo0 provided that construction work on
ne convcntion hall, museum OF art and
municipal court be delayed
In speaking OF the eity's borrowing ca
nofffy the Controller said: "In endeavor-
nn 70 determine the unfunded debt obh-
n4tlon I have sought advice OF the City
HoIlMtor and have been informed that
the outstanding awards OF juries and boards
o( view and mandamuses amount 10 S5,-
Hfnf0f13. He has further advised me
that the cost Of the convention hail, museum
OF art and municipal court. which would
REQUIRE additional money in order to com
nIele. need not be considered unfunded
Iebt unless the municipal authorities In
t4nd to 90 on with the work.
II have also raised the question with the
CITY Solicitor as 20 a possible unfunded
liability ia excess OF the latest estimate OF
aha Director OF the Department OF City
II.nsIt over the amount Of funds speoih-
1&1|t authorized 10 be borrowed by Coun'
1H4 for rapid transit viz, Ses.10O.O00. The