Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-24
C|TyS TAX RATE
MAY co 0VERS S2
Increased Demands Of Depart
ments and Unpaid Bills Seem
to Require Advance
PAIRING PROCESS IS. BEGUN

With Mayor Smith silent on the sub
iect Of the 1920 tax rate, members Of
Councils finance committee freely ad-
nit that at least a twenty cent increase
over the present city rate Of $1.75 will
be needed to carry departments through
the coming twelve months. This will
be independent Of the increase allowed
for educational purposes.
This estimate, they say, is low and
based upon the fact that home buyers
will face additional tax burdens be-
cause inflated prices paid by victims of
rent gougers will have the effect of
forcing up valuations all over the city.
Chairman Gaffney. of Councils
finance committee. declines to commit
himself on the probability Of a tax rate
increase in advance of a study Of the
department budgets now in the hands
Of Mayor Smith. Controller Walton is
likewise silent. Others who have seen
the startling totals and who are ia
miliar with deficits and mandamus needs
are less reticent.
Added to the present city tax rate of
H.I5 is the sixty cents for school pur-
poses. An increase of ten cents in the
school tax rate was agreed upon by an
amendment to the school code last
spring, and this additional burden will
he felt next year for the first time.
SS Rate Possible
The grand total. unless material cuts
are made in the final demands for the
various departments. would require a
combined city and county rate of be-
tween $2.75 and So. These sums are
so unusual and excessive that efforts are
now being made to bring the whole of
the city increase to within twenty cents
over the $1.75. The success or failure
OF the scheme lies in the care that will
he exercised in the "paring' process
now under way.
In the probable event of third in =
crease in the tax rate under the Smith
administration the reason given will be
the increases planned for policemen and
fremen and other classes of city en-
ployes. No reference will be made ia
the fact that millions arc needed to
make up this years deficiencies and to
provide for mandamus items long ig-
nored
An increase of twenty cents in the
municipal tax rate will provide about
SO. .O0O, 900 additional income to meet
outstanding obligations and provide for
nav increases. This addition, it it's
finally decided upon. will give the city
total revenues of about sol 900 900 t.
pay the debts of the present administra
ton, which wilr be included in next
years bills, and to provide for current
expenses during 1920.
Consider Safety Budget
Daily conferences are being held by
Controller Walton, Mayor Smith ant
Chairman Gaffney over the various de
partmental budgets. The most impor
tant one being considered is that of thu
Department of Public Safety.
Director Wilson is asking for more
than $4 ,000. 900 over his record break
ing figures of the present year. Fo
1920 he wants $14 ,053 ,662. "a. He il
asking SS, ,27S. .949 for the police bureau
and So. POS, ,440 for the fire bureau. II
wants 500 more patrolmen and genera
increases bringing their salary basis t.
S14OO year for first year men ant
$500 year for the men now receiving
$3.50 a day. These figures are lowe
than. the proposed scale for New York
- which ranges from $3.50 to $500
The director asks 5000 more for eacl
man in the fire bureau. Chairman Gaff
ney and Mayor Smith are both pledge
to. increases and these estimates ar
likely to stand.
Other Unusual items for which none
must be provided include $4,000, 900 t
cover a planned temporary loan to pa
old bills and $500, 900 for manda
muses. which are now outstanding.