Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-09-05
DON'T EXPECT
MUCH DROP IN
COUNTY'S RATE
Based on Present State
Rate, It Would Be
S2.2S.
COMMISSIONERS
MEET

the NATION OOuutg OOuACAA a. lAS @AA>A N0@
meeting of two days duration, which
begins tomorrow morning In the county
commissioners courtroom.
The council has the power to accept,
increase or decrease the county tax rate
as proposed by County Auditor Leo K
Fesler
Mr.. FesIer will urge that his figures
be accepted because he is mindful that
the State tax rate will be increased.
Mr.. Fesler, in recommending to the
council a budget totaling S1,514,S75 for
next year and a county levy Of q cents
as compared TO the present rate OF BY
cents, hoped to Offset the expected raise
in the State levy. Mr. Fesler, on the
eve Of the meeting Of the council, ad-
mits 1t is almost a certainty the total
rate In indianapolis, Center and some
townships will be increased by a higher
State levy. 1t would not be surprising,
he said, if the State levy is increased
from 20 to 81 cents.
RATE CAN'T GO
MUCH LOWER.
Even based on the present State levy
and considering the city rate and the
rate that Mr.. Fesler will recommend TO
the county council, the rate would be
s.. 50 for next year as compared TO the
present rate of $2.42. An increase State
tax rate of even a small amount would
result in an increase in the total tax
rate for Indianapohs-Center. Although
the present Republican Administration
has attempted TO trim the budget Tor
next year an dcurt2il other expenses, 1t
becomes evident as the time for the
eanpcil sessions nears that regardless of
Mr. Fesler's efforts to decrease the
county rate. the expected increased state
rate win offset this reduction not only
in boosting the total tax rate in In
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS but some other town
ships.
Even figuring on the 2O-cent STATE levy
t.asis West Indianapolis faces IN increase
from S24S to $265; Irwin gtOn- Warren
NAV have a reduction from S2.T4 to $780,
and indianapolis Washington may be in
creased from $2.64 to $2.c9, according to
Mr.. Fesler.
..The main thing which accounts for
the increase in West indianapolis, hgur-
ing on a 20-cent State basis, is their
concrete road Londs," Mr.. Fesler stated.
In Iryington-Warren no concrete roads
have been built lately, which explains
probable decrease in the rate Tor next
year If the State rate is not boosted too
high.
There is every indication the council
viii engage in some lively debate over
requested appropriation items for run
ming certain branches Of the county.
warm debate is expected over an item
in the budget Of SD, 900 as salary or
courthouse employees, including the Gus
todisn, janitors, a matron, elevator man.
Waterman and others.
This tremendous figure for cleaning
and guarding the courthouse is only
5000 less than is asked for heat, light,
water asd power for the courthouse
Jail. garage. power house and street
The courthouse janitor system, II
can be called a system has been nothing
more or less than q means for the Re
publican party paying of political
debts" to negro political workers. Most
of the janitors at the courthouse are
negroes and all of them are very active
in politics at election time.
The political king bee" OF the court
house employees IS Benjamin PIERCE who
is a Shank Republican and closely allied
with both the Republican nominee for
mayor and President Carlin Shank Of
the county council. President Shank, IT
is said, has his political eye cast on the
county recorders job as he graduated
from master into the commissionership.
S1,855 A MONTH
JANITOR SALARIES.
Al pISScHL b-S LOlGA pay AN4A 49, $780,
house employees amounts to S927.50 for
a two-weeks period. The pay roll which
was allowed for the period from Aug. 10
to Aug. 81 totals that amount.
OF that amount, Mr. PIERCE as custodian
received SIS; John Apple as repairman for
county automobiles, so; Ezra Storms as
file clerk, $3.50; Marie Seller as ma
tor, SIS and John A Fox, as elevatorman,
SIS.
The following fifteen janitors each re-
ceived $3.50 each: John Crittenden,
John Crenshaw, James A Paul, Effe Girls
son, Henry Levy, Henry Frazier, Spen-
Ger Clifton, George Yanthis, n. P. Parker,
Robert Rolford Frank Caldwell, Tober
Alexander, Mike Lewis, Harriet Vlem-
mones and Daniel Lee, making the total
paid for janitors alone per month, aver
age S1,295.
For some time, County Councilman
Russell t. Byers has been studying the
ianitor problem at the courthouse to de-
termine if the council should advertise
for bids and award a contract for janitor
service instead Of the present system
which is nothing more than a plum tree
to be shaken to pay political debts for
petty politics.
1t is expected Councilman Byers again
viii suggest to the council that steps be
taken TO award the JanltOF WORK TO com
petitive bidders. 1t is argued the enor-
nous present cost would be reduced to
a point which would compare with the
large Office buildings. A year ago, the
county councilmen indicated they were in
terested in such a plan, but did not take
the leap which would have rUffled the
political waters. During the past twelve
months, there has been considerable pro-
test against the dirty conditions of the
courthouse. Up to the summer months,
following these protests, the courthouse
has been IN a little better shape, but
during the past three months, certain
parts have been filthy. Even few days
ago, there was loud protest over the ex-
IRENE insanitary condition OF the mems
toilet.
1t is argued a contract awarded on
competitive bidding will remove the pet
II political aspect OF the anitoF situa-
ton. 1t probably will take a lot Of
blasting before this political plum
tree is uprooted, it is claimed.
Another point of possible controversy
is the proposed increase in the salary of
County Surveyor John Griffith from
g, 400 to $4,000 and the assistants in the
Office from total of $1,000 to S12.250 OF
q total increase in the salaries of the
surveyor and his assistants of 81, $50.
Under the head Of charities, the In
dianapolis Humane Society is asking for
an appropriation of $500. Indications
are the councilman win be controlled by
the law this year. It is thought such
an appropriation from county funds Is
Illegal There are other numerous items