The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-10-27

the Democratic city convention:
Il unreservedly endorse the plank
in the platform adopted tonight spe-
officially promising the people an op-
portunity to vote upon the question
of adopting a commission form of
government and to determine the
same by a majority VOTE
Such plain statements should con-
vince the most skeptical that this
mater will receive honest treatment
at our hands.
We have heard much of efficiency
and improvements from the admins
tration. I challenge their attempts to
grab the credit of our school devol-
opment that has been carried for
ward by a separate legislative body
outside the grasp of the political ma
chine
also deny the administration credit
for the development of the parks and
libraries, which work was carried
along by boards that are self-perpet-
uating and outside the dominion of
the political machine and to which
Mayor Wilson scornfully referred in
his message of June 8, 1912, when he
said:
Il am not in favor of self-perpetu-
ating boards. This is un-American
and contrary to the spirit of our form
! OF government Of free expressions as
to our public servants.
When Mayor Wilson took office
| the net debt of the city was $1,652,192,
in 1912. Now it is s5,7O3,S35.
I'm 1912 the per capita debt was
about $16- Now it is almost $40, an
| increase of lao per cent.
about 100000 or 20 per cent. of
our gross income from taxation is re-
CURED to pay each years installment
on the city debt and this in spite of
the fact, that the grand list has been
increased from $97,ss3,477 in 1912 to
1857, 504,459. Yet, the Republican
leader stated last night that the
grand list Is still too low and we can
easily imagine why.
I'VE are at our debt limit and no
more bonds can be issued unless the
grand list goes higher. IN 1918 City
Auditor Heating warned against this
extra program Of expense and stated
that the taxpayers expected a lower
rate with an increase of the grand
list. The Republican program as Of
fered to the people contains promises
of still more expense and at times
like this, when it is the patriotic duty
of everybody to conserve every dol
lar for Liberty Bonds and to practice
economy in every way it is not toe
much to say that it Is treason to allow
these gentlemen control of our city in
. these trying times.
Il am sometimes tempted to in.
quire who really is running agains
the Democratic platform for office
Mayor Wilson is usually in second
, place in the press columns and wher
the Republican leader makes an ad
I dress. he usually says We, are going
! to. do this. We have done that 81
it is well known and a matter of rec
, ord that the present incumbent O.
, the city hall is guided by the invisibl,
government of the interesting gentle
! man who attempts to exploit oul
, city.
eff am elected mayor of the City
of Bridgeport 1 will not only encour
i age and stimulate the development o.
municipal and public improvements
but 1 will make such needed ant
necessary changes in the methods O.
l our various administration boards al
! to get the greater amount of value fo
the peoples money.
ST want a progressive city and
! want the municipal government t,
8 keep pace with the great progress o
> an enterprising and future great cit
: but I will run the city on bushes
!, lines and by business methods to &C
Y complish this goal and not by vast
and Extravaganza