Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-22
INCREASED CITY TAXES
NOW SEEM INEVITABLE
Realizing That Revenues Must BE
Augmented, Finance Commit
toe Tackles Problem.
HIGHER GAS RATE IN SIGHT
With Advance in Cost OF Production,
Burden VIII FALL on Consumer.
Now Without Funds for Needed
Improvements.

Nh!le no decision has been reached,
and probably will not be for several
months. members OF the Council Com
mittee on Finance are giving their
earnest consideration to various suG-
gesttons recently made In the commit
too to increase the city's revenues dur
ing the coming year. In view Of ex-
istinE conditions. the matter has boon
given wide discussion In official quar-
tiers because OF the deep realization
that the needs OF the city will be
considerably greater in 1915. while the
revenues at the present rate OF taxa
ton VIII remain practically station
airy. -
The statement is made unofncially
that tho tax rate must be increased
TO provide additional funds. Another
suggestion made Is to increase the rate
on gas from 80 to 90 cents or 81. I'm
I'll the various departments fle with
the committee their budget of wants
for the year. the matter cannot be
given Intelligent consideration. 1t was
stated last night. but It is known that
numerous suggestions have been made
ut recent meetings Of the committee.
Many requests for improvements In
recent months have been refused be-
cause OF the lack of funds. and those
projects authorized have required fur
more money because Of the high price
OF all materials than in past wears.
For this reason It is realized the bud
set must be far greater this wear If
any improvements are to be made. ane
me revenues must be correspondingly
Increased.
OPPOSED TO IMPROVEMENTS
WHICH ARE UNNECESSARY
During the past two years the city
mas done little more than mark time.
1t is stated. and this year only tho
barest necessities have been author
iHed. several members of the commit
zee. 1t is known, arc opposed 10 anv
improvem ents at this time that are not
absolutely necessary. Ths. point out
that under existing conditions 1t would
be folly for the city to attempt any
work that could BIS postponed for a
Year or moro. In certain quarters.
however. the emphatic statement Is
made that taxes VIII be Increased. no
mater how unpopular that action
would be among citizens
Members OF the committee also se.m
10 think they have no alternative In
the question OF advancing the price OF
gas. superintendent Knowles, OF the
Gas Department recently reported 10
the committee. In seeking an addition
al appropriation for this year, that the
increase In materials would make the
cost or the Gas Works more than $780,
600 than last year. He said that the
price OF oil has advanced ia per cent.
the price OF coal IS per cent, and many
other materials fully 100 per cent.
COST OF OPERATION WILL
WIPE OUT PROFIT
The net profit from the Gas Work.
last year was $13c,5S5. but the increas-
ed cost OF operation this year Will
moro than wipe out that credit. In
addition. Chief Inspector Chelton has
informed tho committee the more gas
the city sells In 1918 tho more money
1t Will lose. while in standardization of
the suggestion that gas be advanced,
Superintendent Knowles said tina
other public service corporations have
Increased their prices on the fuel.
There are many other matters that
must also be considered in this con-
nection. Among them Is the question
OF Increased salaries for city en-
ployees, who have Just been advanced
10 per cent for the remainder Of the
year. Department heads declared this
action to be necessary to keep their
men. and for four and one-half months
| of this year this one item means an
additional expenditure OF $4,000. For
next year at the same rate the figure
would be In excess OF @250,0O0. Street
improvements must also be considered
and the lowest estimate yet made for
this work Is 100000. Tho Administra-
tive Board. however. Is laying COM
prehensive plans for all kinds of i'm
provements In the old city and in the
annexed territory, which Will be car
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