The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-01-24
Police Department.

POl1ce department.
I believe that reasonably judicious
increase of the police force would be
wise at the present time, but as such
increase has not yet been authorized
by the law-making power, I consider
it my duty not to anticipate probable
or possible action, and therefore do
not provide herein for the fifty addi-
tional patrolmen, asked for by the
department in it's requisition to me.
If an ordinance increasing the force
should be passed before your labors
for lis year are concluded, you would
of cRurse, deem it your duty to con-
form to its requirements.
ondfng for Permanent Improvements.
1t is always safe to bond for i'm
provements of a permanent nature,
provided the life of the bonds is well
within the life of the improvements
bonded for, but in no other case is
bonding justifiab1e, in my judgment
There ought to be no bonding for any
thing that can be fairly classed as
current expense. I have eliminated
from my list of appropriations all
items that can be fairly classed as
proper subjects for bonding.
Inasmuch as an Advisory Commit
tee, composed of some of the city's
largest taxpayers and most progress
sive citizens has been appointed to
consider what are proper subjects for
bonding at this time, I refrain from
entering into the subject more speci.
fcally. The conclusions of that COM
mittee will be entitled to, and will un-
doubtedly receive, the full apprUba-
nj ifxy rryIn
port, after careful deliberation is
made. 1t is clearly proper that those
who are called on to bear great por.-
ton of the burdens of taxation should
have voice in shaping it's ends and
purposes.
Increased Compensation to City
Officials.
1t is evident that the time has ar
rived, when increased compensation in
justice ought to be paid to some of
the City Officials the City Auditor not
included in this category. Salaries, in
many cases were fixed years ago when
the entire time of officers was not re-
quired or expected in the performance
of their official duties nor were the
responsibilities SO great as they now
are. Living expenses have also in
creased since that time and this fact
is recognized by all employers.
Take the case of the Mayor for in
stance:-The salary of that official was
fixed at the present figure about seven
teen years ago, when the duties of
the office did not call for, or require,
the incumbent's full time. Then the
City was, comparatively speaking. a
small corporation. But now the City
is one of the larger corporations Of
the State, with Grand List Of about
$3.50, 100000 and an annual expendi-
ture of about $4,000,000, and it's af-
fairs cannot, and ought not to, be
sighted. It's chief executive must
devote his entire time and best eff
forts in the conduct and direction of
its affairs If they are to be properly
administered. Surely no private cor
poration, Of like magnitude, would ex-
pect to receive the services of a cap
able chief executive officer at an an
nual compensation Of $4,000 per year.
And the same reasoning will apply in
the cases of other deserving officials,
especially where technical skill or
ability Of a high order is required and
obtained.
Tax Rate.
I recommend a tax rate Of 8 CLIO
mills in the First District, and 10 TO
mills in the Second District, making
10 $40 mills in both districts.
Following are the appropriations
recommended by me, in the First
district:
Advertising, Print
ing and Station
cry, $6,000.00
Ambulance and
Emergency 23,S10.00
Board of 200. 90
Appraisal.
Board of 100000
Assessors,
Z Board of 16,752.O0
Barnum Prize 5000
Bonds, Aims
house, 10000. 90
Bonds, Bet
torment 100000
Bonds, I'M
provement
No 1, 100000
Bonds, New
High School 100000
Bonds, New l