Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1920-01-07
HARD TASK FOR.
com MISS|0NERS.
TO CUT EXPENSES.
Each Member Of Budget
Board Wants to Cut Down
the Other Fellows
Fund.

The mayor and city commission
cfs, sitting as an annual budget
board, yesterday encountered what
appeared to be stalemate in en-
deavoring to make maximum gen.
eral fund of S2,023000 spread out
to cover department estimates ag-
gregating $2,200000.
1T seems to me that the longer
we baggle over this the more money
we figure on spending" said Mayor
Smith at the close of the morning
session.
The council will try again
Wednesday morning.
Cutting Other Fellows Fund.
The city officials started out yes
terday with the intention of cutting
down the estimates $l75,000, but
each commissioner seemed to think
that the other fellow should stand
the greatest cut, which resulted i'll
some humorous and acrimonious ex-
changes.
Commissioner Zimman proposed
cut of $4,000 in the street light
ing fund, by replacing gas lamps
with l00-watt electric lights.
"A good light is almost as much
comfort to neighborhood as a
policeman, said Mr.. Zimman.
Police Commissioner Ringer
handed him an ominous glance.
Mr.. Zimman agreed to reduce the
FIRE, building department. city hall
maintenance and other funds under
his jurisdiction. to the extent of
S25,000 He offered to reduce the
fire fund $4,000 from his estimate,
by reducing the personnel Of the
department.
Slams" Fire Department.
at has been uncontradicted that
Omaha's FIRE department is costing
more, according to population. that
any other city" said Mayor Smith.
You should not make such a
statement" replied Mr.. Zimman.
You have too many men or too
many fire stations rejoined the
mayor.
"We have not enough men to ham
die the apparatus now. You are
playing with fire when you attempt
10 cut the fire fund. We must be
prepared to protect life and proper
ty," Mr.. Zimman answered.
Cut Health Department.
When the health department fund
was considered, the suggestion was
made that the sanitary plumbing in
spector, who is paid $500 a year
plus an allowance of $420 for auto
mobile, might be dispensed with
and this work cared for by the city
building department, which Mr..
Zimman agreed to assume
Henry L. Bridwel1 is sanitary in
spector now attached to the health
department The estimate for the
health department includes an in
crease of salary for DR.. ]. F. Ed
wards, health commissioner, from
$4,000 to $4,000 per-year, and total
increase for four assistant commits
sioners. from $4,000 to 5000 per
year. The tentative health fund for
this year has been fixed at $133,000,
as against $4,000 for last year. A
further reduction probably will be
made.
Fights for Library.
Mayor Smith made a hard fight
for an increase in the public library
fund from $4,000 last year to $751;
600 this year. Final action on this
has not been taken.
The Board of Public Welfare fund
of $4,000 allowed~for last year will
stand for this year, according to
! present plans, and similar action
will be taken in connection with the
city planning commissions fund Of
$4,000.
Commissioners Ringer and Zim-
man, whose departments require
two-thirds of the general fund, were
urged to go over their estimates
again and make further reductions.