Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1920-05-29
CITY Councils Task.

while the average taxpayer is prone 10
.h;oot when taxes are increased-this Is
II. b,,roan-oll who consider the matter
must realize that it is up to them 70 pay
the governmental expenses; therefore Il
Tho exnenses are increased more money
must be raised 20 meet them, and' siiou.u
+bo exnenses diminish. smaller puohc
fund would be required but expenses
don't.diminish very often
In our local governmental affairs Wy
Council is the legislative body - Is
Conncirs duty to ascertain the municipai
noods in advance Of the beginning OF each
6.cal wear. which starts July |, and after
as+;rnating the revenues likely 70 accrue
from sources other than taxation on ie"i
osto+e to determine the amount q 'he
latter item. This difference must be raised
30 rata on realty. and the fixing q me
tax rate is an arbitrary mathematics
,ronosition. Therefore, the only leeWaS
Council has is in dealing with propaO'S
t;.ono;aI reouirements The several
,o,,n;c;nal departments are called upon q
a.4;rnata their needs. but Council IS the
court Of last resort in that behalf ana &C.
+orrnines how much money each depart
mont can have in the ensuing fiscal year.
In reaching the latter conclusion ooun'"
H. NJ limitations within the safety zone
b,,t IS bound to allow each department .
sufficient sum for maintenance
This IS the condition that conironts the
chief governing body OF the city eaeh
vear. and it is the chief problem q 'ta'
ho3v practically during the tlrst siN
months Of each year. when i must pegii
having the way for the business year g
f.llow Il i. however. a condition not o.
Councils making. Council IS not re-
snonsible for the creation Of the depart
vents or the laws that govern them
neither i it directly responsible for the
creation Of their needs Therefore, 80 iai
a. that roes. il IS dealing with facts that
though annoying, it cannot change. =
the best il can do IS to pare down on
annropriations, where it feels this can o
dome with safety. Beyond that, - mana
are tied and it must raise the money
realtv bearing the bulk Of the burden 10
up TO the present time other sources .
revenue have been limited. What
known as the Home Rule. blll' now ot
fore the legislature, was intended to CIV
relief bv extending the local taxing power
ri Council. The possibilities OF I'M
measure. in the event OF It's becoming
law are problematical, as Is also the e.
4art If relief it will afford, and only tim
will answer those two questions. Howeve
il is q step toward getting away from u
beaten path and following new eouIs
,vb;eh NAV be beneficial The actui te'
viii tell
Itis quite apparent, therefore, from Il
foregoing, that Council has real task
raising the money that the department
spend. While IT is true that there IS
considerable revenue from the Wat
Department, and some from other d
partrnents. this is only drop in the DUCK
when it comes to figuring the who
municipal expense account each year, al
Council has to make the best OF an aW
ward situation.
All of which brings us face to lace
more so now than ever before-wItn Z
CRYING need of a real business adminlstT
ton for Wilmington. There are doubtlt
many items of municipal expense IN
could be eliminated, through concenti
ton of authority, administration 8
work, provided the city was operatl
under the business-manager plan
something of that character Wilmlngt
Is now q s3.000,OO0 corporation, and
management is d real business propo
ton. However. Council is powerless
make such change 1t can be done OF
through legislation at Dover 1t is'rea
IN to the citizens Of Wilmington. II til
feel this way about the matter and viii
together between now and the next s
sion Of the Legislature. doubtless q
can be drawn and passed that viii give
tlc business administration that
ought TO have, with minimum Of
pense and maximum Of efficiency.