Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-02-23
The Mayors Budget Must BE pruncd

|
| MAYOR AINSLIE'S budget, the first under
| 1f1 the new system OF municipal government,
| is before the people. They have had only
| a very brief time in which to study it's figures.
but it may be said frankly that first impress
sions are not favorable to its adoption as it
, stands. First and most important Of all OBJ
ections to the Mayors proposed financial
plan for Richmond is that it means a hori-
zontal increase of the tax rate from the
present $1.G5 on the 500 assessed valuation
of real estate and personal property to S2.15,
and in this increase no consideration is taken
| Of the proposed bond issue for street i'm
provemcnts or other capital expenditures
which the Mayor says he will suggest at a
later time. The bond issue for streets, should
one be voted, would bring the total tax rate
up to at least S2.25 That is a long jump,
one which the citizens are not prepared to
negotiate now, when other financial obliga-
tons incident to the war and reconstruction
are pressing down so heavily on their
shoulders. Particularly is this true nasmuch
as its necessity has not been proved to them.
Further and well-grounded objection is
found TO the budget. and this is voiced by
people generally as we'll as by members of
the Board Of Aldermen, in that it is not eX-
plicit or frank in setting forth how this money
it is proposed to drain from the pockets of
the already hard-pressed taxpayers is to be
expended. Except under the general head
ings there is little explanation to those who
foot the bills as to the various channels into
which their funds are to be diverted. Before
they consent TO any such arbitrary increase
in their taxes they want to know in detail
the objects for which it is to be used and,
more than that. they want to know If every
possible municipal economy solemnly prom
ised to them under the new government has
been or is about to be set into motion. Until
these things are known to them, they are
bound, in justice to themselves to withhold
their approval.
Opinion is not lacking in many official
quarters that It would be possible to main
tain the tax rate at its present figure with
the proper pruning and trimming in cxpendi-
lures judicously undertaken and that with
out detriment to the city. That extreme
view may be open to question, and. II it
obtained, it would, OF course. make it neces-
sary again to have recourse to the use Of the
city's credit with the banks to tide it over
its difficulties, but even that would be far
more advisable for the present than the un-
reasonably high rate the Mayor gives as
surance must be levied. Few will be found
to agree with him that his plan is expedient
even if some are convinced that a certain
increase is mandatory
reasonable tax rate, certainly one below
the 50 line, with expenditures hewn down
to the absolute essentials, and perhaps
bond issue for street improvements and e1-
tensions, is the program which the great ma
jorty OF the taxpayers demand. Should the
Mayors budget be adopted, it S extremely
doubtful if they would consent 10 the bond
issue, and street work is vitality needed now
perhaps in greater measure than any other
municipal activity The taxpayers will be
given ample opportunity to appear before
Council and present their views before the
budget is adopted. They should take full
advantage Of it, for with forcbe presenta-
ton Of their protests Council will stand by
them and refuse to adopt the ruinous rate