The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-01-17

Mayor Gcorre Ainsiie. in addressing
the finance committee of the city
council last night, IN the tentative
budget for the year 1920. explained
that while the expenditures Tor TINS
year will be 81. sol. 1885, in excess OF
hose. for last year, this is not really
an increase in the cost OF the city
government, in spite of rising costs,
but that the expenditures are Q
n same.
The budget for 1919 car
ried appropriations OF Sa,5s5.s36.aL
and the 1920 tentative budget sets
$6,Ss7,S53.4S as expenditures. This
increase is accounted for Ia Ave Diff
4erept Items. One rof the largest Cons
sTihntors to the Increase II special APP
preparations balances brought for
] ward in the 1924 budget, The originals
Of which were not included in the
1919 budget. This figure is $500. 6s4.-
81, lit includes improvements made
during the past yea that were not
Included in the budget. and are ae-
counted for the first time in the 1890
budget. although the expenditures will
not be made during 1920. Improve
nents to the Howirzsrs' armory and
the motorizs ton Of the fire depart
ment are the PRINCIPAL items in this
class
SALARY INCREASES
The payrolls also carried an in
crease of ~s5aS,s47.62. While nearly
all of the employees OF the lily will
receive a boost in salary, none receive
as much as ten per cent, except
school teachers. this Increase is dicid-
ed between the federal government,
the tate and the city. The mayor
explained that with these Increases
the city employees arc still behind in
the ace against the high cost of lis-
ing. which has advanced practical
ly eighty per cent In figuring the
raises of employees salaries, the low
est salary was given the biggest boost
as he felt that the unskilled laborer
was the greatest sufferer. The scale
of increase decreased UP the scale Of
salaries. until the department heads
received no increase.
Mayor Ainslie explained that COM
parison OF the 1918 and 1926 budgets
from h our departments under his
administration. in making requests
for operating expenses for the pres
emit year, show a net decrease of SAL
204.21, Notwithstanding the fact that
last years budget was submitted to
the most repeated and rigid Gamma
ton as to deail. In the 1890 budget
th0 0EPdt AttGht VI SSkiCAdt epttff-
ment shows an increase in operating
expense of S~71,S49.4a. practically all
of which Is incurred i'll two Items
that Of extraordinary service, such as
assessments OF real estate. which is
made every five years. and which re-
Quired $50, 600: aud secondly, increase
in discount and Interest,", which
amounted to $45,sao. The public
schc<ls SHOW a net increase in opera,-
ing expenses of SIS, $40. The mayor
explained this by stating that tho
schools are badly In need OF repair
work, and in some cases de%iapidation
is beginning Work in improving the
schools, parks and streets has been
neglected for several years. and ex-
penditures for these will be divided
over tho many years OF inactivity.
In reply to a question. the mayo
said he WAS unable vet to make a
econ enda ton for increase in the
tax rate, lie said hat he would he
able to answer this more 'i~nteliigentfv
after a more rigid inquiry into the
possible revenues for 1920. He said
that he would otter a recommendation
on this question at the 9 meeting
of the finance committee.
STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Director of Public Works Boiling
want into astats OF II budget for
his department. He stated that il
called for betterrnent OF the city
streets. and improvements in bridges.
parks and other civic improvements.
Major {. Il. Robinson consulting
engineer. of the arm Of Forestali and
Robinson. Of New York, urged i'm
mediate improvements Of the city gas
works. A great shortage of gas.
bordering on a calamity. would visit
the city next winter unless large ex-
p~enditures were made. He called for
an expenditure OF $i,50e, 600. which
Mnnld-coxer Alive year period. and
would take car OF the city's gas de-
mand for that period
A point that struck thes finance
commitfee.s q was his assertion that