Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-05-09
|R0DEN FEARS RESERVE
FUND MAY Be DEPLETED
Councilman Says Pending Appro.
go, priation Bills Will Leave
But S13,501.5O.
CHARTER REQUIRES S24o.55l
Much Difference of Opinion as to
Whether Money Measures Arc TO
Be Cared for in Borrowed Sum of
Over 100000.

councilman Roden, who. with Prcsi-
dent Peters. led the opposition 10 the
3 Borrowing feature of the Finance Com
mittee's budget. declares that with the
passage by the City Council OF the APP
preparation measures now pending and
likely 10 pass, the ) per cent reserve
tund of the city will be $l3,5 so in
stead OF the S2is.55l contemplated by
: Inc Charter. This would leave the city
Win practically no emergency fund TO
draw on for the remainder OF the year
Ias appropriation measures now
are those seeking 10 authorize Sl4S. 600
Tor the INFORMATION OF the Fire Be-
psrtment SIS zoe for the purchase OF
me me oman College property. $4,000
bond and $1,000 for the entertainment
OF the returning soldiers.
Confusion Among Members
Considerable difference OF opinion. al
most 10 the point OF confusion. exists
amoHe me councilinen and even among
Inc mem oers OF the Finance Committee
As 20 whether these expected appropri-
adons, assreeaung s2S5.Oo0. Will come
nns % the So. .5Si.>e which is expected
Z TO DE borrowed, or whether il Will con
sttn1e an additional sum which will
gave 10 be borrowed and thus run the
Of Si,o9S,5Si.S2.
~ tae special Council meeting Wed
nssuay night President Peters declared
that ne Was unable to obtain from
members u the Finance Committee The
NECESSARY information as to the status
ssyeral o; The measures which were
set and therefore. * was difficult 10
make parliamentary rulings on ques-
itons which arose
All l. Not Harmun!.
despite protestations of harmony ex-
ss!nE among th- members OF the III
NANCE Committee al the time OF the con
sldera ton Of the budget It is known
mat tbs harmon was only personal
OF opinion in regard TO matters OF poll
ley Sut other me IN oers OF the Coun-
gu were not advised IS TO these differ
eEees. and For this reason they are crit
icizinE ihs Finance Committee's pojicy
OF unit rule anu its further policy Of
no. bringing IN minority reports when
Lnt?A that the main trouble about the
budget. and other matters which have
caused some confusion. grows out OF
me faci that the Finance Committee
eotds executive session. and, therefore
x is not easy for other Counc!!men and
the public TO follow the committee's
proceedings in such manner as to
act .nte!lisenily when report Ms
nnaliy made.
Called Weak Measure.
While many praise the reported bud
set as the best possible under the cir
Guns gym st ;t. there are others who de-
history as weak measure These
last declare that despite the many hear
inss aao Subsequent meetings the re-
suits achieved could have been accom-
plisHed IN ten minutes after the eXecu-
i've and school estimates had been
Submitted. They say that what was
hnaly done vas 20 reduce the eXccu-
tive and school estimates s per cent
take this total and subtract from ii the
reai anticipated revenues and then
frame resolution authorizing the bor-
rowing OF the balance.
Councilman Morgan r. Mills stated
Yesterday that the reported budget was
undoubtedly the best possible under the
circumstances. He declared that the
Finance Committee in 1915 presented
recommendations for an increase OF
taxes and this was turned down hy
the Council. In his opinion the Coun-
ell would have taken the same action
this year II an increase had been rec
commended.
The Board OF Aldermen will consider
The bulge, at the regular meeting
Tuesday night. and at that time a
warm fgnt is anticipated