El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-05-06
D. K.
GITYS BUDGET

sold. From outside sources the coun-
ell has received an offer Of 90 cents
on the dollar FOR these warrants. but
considers the offer too low. Mr..
Schwartz predicted that a much bet
ter price could be obtained for them
right here in FL Paso. Definite steps
&c solve this problem viii not be
taken until after the mayors meet
ing with the clearing house u xccu-
. tiyes next week
Appropriation by Ordinance.
On behalf Of the taxpayers league.
4ir, Krakauer recommended that the
money designated for each depart
ment In the budget be appropriated 70
that department by ordinance. and
then each department head would be
responsible for the estimate not being
I exceeded Alderman ". T. Griffith
inquired what would happen In case
/ some sudden emergency arose that
Z called Tor heavy expenditures in de-
l partment where such a condition aad
I not been toreseen- The reply was that
I a new ordinance 70 be discussed in a
public meeting as the budget has
4 been, be prepared to cover the ener-
gency and authorize the increased ex-
I penditures. This would solve the
problem, Mr. krakauer asserted. and
the council agreed With him.
The proposition Of the league on
this matter was stated as follows:
~rhis il one feature OF the
budget system which We at this
time desire 10 insist upon. The
budget we have here. BY ordnance
makes appropriations TO each de-
purtment Of the city, and the
mayor N chief executive OF the
city e. definitely fixed with the
responsibility Of seeing to "a that
the lump sum Of all OF these ap-
propriationE fs not Overemcurn-
he eli f. oh
the various divisions are also
made responsible by ordinance
for seeing 20 Il that the lump sum
appropriated 10 their divisions g.
NOT Overeneumbered. In this way
taxpayers have some definite nH-
surnnce that this budget for er-
penditures (Which we have openly
discussed. and which appears
reasonably economical and fairl
viii be lived within. A. tax
payers VIC desire 10 Insist upon
making this budget n means Of
definitely controlling expendf-
tures-by passing rhis budget In
ordinance FORM
Il is probable that this suggestion
viii be carried out by the city Of
ficials-
The question OF submitting the
civil service amendment TO the vot-
ers was brought up by Mr.. Kralzauer
and the league went on record in IA
Tor Of IL as follows:
OF the proposed charter amend
ments we, as taxpayers, are especf-
ally anxious that the civil service
amendment be submitted to the vot-
ers- This, Mr. Mayor, was one Of
your election promises, and we believe
a properly conducted civil service viii
IN the long run result in a better and
more effecient personnel among the
city employees OF course an admin
istratlon playing no politics could OBJ
could be obtained under any civil
service Arrangement Citizens. how
ever have no Assurance that the next
admins tration viii refrain from play
ing politics and retain all the good I
employees IN this administration IN /
der civil service We will have some
assurance that good men like your
purchasing agent and your auditor ]
VIII continue serving the interests Of I
our city; while without civil service ]
these good men may lose their 5obs I
under the next admiuistr traitor and be ]
replaced by political appointees. Civil Z
service regulations are now essential I
IN every uptOdate city charter; and ]
we believe the citizens OF FL Paso ]
should be given chance 70 take this I
progressive step.
There IS no reluctance on the part I
Of the mayor and aldermen to submit /
this amendment and the only thing .
that IS delaying IS the decision OF /
city attorney Victor Moore explained ]
that the charter can be amended only /
once every two years and II the civil I
service amendment election IS held.
some other more important question I
-as for instance the water supply
might arise before the expiration Of 4
the two year limit Should the char
ter be amended by only the civil ser
vice amendment, there would be no
opportunity for two years to change
It Until the. city officials decide
definitely all the questions that
should be submitted at such an cleo
ton the civil services matter, e was
felt. should be held in allegiance
Mayor Charles Davis. aldermen ".
T. Griffith. Park Pitman, r c.
Semple and Martin Sweeney attend
ed the conference. julius krakauer.
A Schwartz. H D. Slater. Dewitt
Bandeen and other business men
were also at the meeting.