Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-06
An Addition to Richmond,s Tax Burden


D edmond taxpayers are face to face with
N heavy increase in their already
weighty burdens. The city finds itself with
grave financial problems for which no solu-
ton has been found except horizontal in
crease in tax rates. The rate real es-
tate and tangibles is about to be jumped
from $1.65 to $1.S2 on the 500 of assessed
valuation, gas and water prices will be ma
terially boosted, while fiat 10 per cent raise
is made in various other taxes provided by
ordinance.
There is no doubt that the city must have
increased revenues, decrease its expendi-
lures to point where they will meet the
present income. The latter manifestly is i'm
possible under existing conditions, and the
Finance Committee of the Council has per-
force adopted tie former expedient. The ad-
ditional taxation thus laid upon the citizens
who must pay is no light thing. Already they
are overburdened through failure Of incomes
to keep pace with rising costs. However,
they will neither complain nor bubble if they
are shown that the proposed increases are
just, and more than that, il there has been
a wise management of their civic affairs and
a proper demonstration Of economy on the
part OF those intrusted with the citys gov
eminent. They will not quarrel over such of
the added burdens as arc plainly necessary.
There is no disposition to resent such salary
increases as have been provided for in the
budget. Public school teachers, for instance,
are making heavy additional drain the
municipal treasury, but if any class Of
public servants needs and deserves more
money, the teachers surely constitute that
class. But the public would like to be in
formed il an economical program as to the
schools is observed. Are not many thousands
of dollars being expended for educational
frills which might be dispensed with in the
interest Of wartime economy? With the re-
turn OF normal conditions they could be re-
sumed with hardship to one, and, per-
haps, with advantage to the schools. Other
city employees must be paid living wages,
but the question arises Has their labor been
conserved and brought to it's best efficiency?
Have they been giving the city full worth of
its money? Similar questions might be asked
as to every department of the city. Consen-
sus Of opinion is, that, with proper and rigid
economy, in face of conditions which all have
foreseen, sufficient saving could have been
effected, without a deterioration of service,
to have put the treasury in better position
than it now finds itself.
Taxpayers may be pardoned for not mani
testing signs OF great joy when they note
that, out Of entire budget OF $4655-
709.SS, total Of s1.O00,4O2.S goes for in
tercst and redemption, while $4,000 must
be spent to pay interest on temporary loans
In other words, Richmond has not been liy-
ed to borrow to meet it's running expenses
In the main there can be no criticism of
the budget on which the tax increase is bas-
cd Figures stand for themselves and can
not be disputed. There can be no question
as TO the difference in costs of OIL coal and
other materials used by the city, and in the
wages demanded by labor now and a wear
ago They have been rising by leaps and
bounds 1t is penalty of war. and must be
paid. The people will pay checrfuly all that
they know to be necessary
Even with its budget increase of more
than half million dollars Richmond will re-
ceive no more. and probably not as much. for
us money as 1t did during the previous year
The difference in the approximations goes
merely to meet the difference in costs. II
is notable and regrettable fact that little
can be done in the way of street improve
ment TINS year, the sum set aside for that
purpose being necessarily meager With
needed street work done property owners
would be rcconcled in greater measure to
'heir greater expenditures for the city's sup
port
II is too late now to undo past mistakes
elher OF omission or commission. They have
been made and the taxpayers must settle
But now is good time for Richmond to sit
up and take notice of how it's business is bc
ing handled, and there could be no rreotcr
incentive TO that than a rapidly rising tay
rae Let the people who pay demand re-
sime OF strictest economy; let them demand
'lal me! DC given dollars worth of real
service for every dollar of their money ey
pended; let them demand such a business
IKE administration as they would expect from
private corporation in which they were
stockholders Then. above all, let them go 70
inc polls when the time comes and vote for
char'er changes which will give them an
emc'eht and economical city government
hch tnese things are done, and not until
'ncn' VIII they see municipal expenses check
ed instead Of continually growing ovon 10 ~,
point OF ruin. Wv