Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-05-27

IN THE SAME OLD RUT.
city Council. at Thursday nights
scssion. completed its important task
OF adopting tho financial budget Tor
tho nscal year 1879. beginning July
1 next !, nscd tho tan rats at last
years figures of $3.50 on the 800 of
assessment. az which rate II cents on
tho 300 In Tor school revenue. This
H. lower rate OF school taxation
than usual. hut our people already
have paid the fling tan OF 81 per
capita. which also goes TO the public
schools
Analysis " tho budget. however.
shows that city Council Is sticking
~ the same old road OF inviting a
deficit at the close of the financial
operations of the ensuing fiscal year.
], has placed ON record figures which
at forth sufficient revenue to meet the
total " the appropriations. hut II has
allowed very small marsln TO cover
Tho deductions that VIII he made
hy tho rebates allowed on all taxes
paid during July. and FOR the prob
ably large amount ~ taNee fcr tho year
that viii remain unpaid after the
nncnl year comes Co close. The dit
frronce between the total amount Of
revenue act forth a. likely Co 10 real
bed from all sources and the total
OF tho appropriations II only $4,000.
which ~ expected only 60 cover the
July rch~tes.
Nothing II contained IN the budget
that may he considered an allowance
for tho deficit that Is expected at the
close ~ IN. present fiscal year. City
Council has another month before the
rscai year closes 90 operate Its nm
anciai nreir. In tho direction Of cut
ting down this expected deficit. and
doubtless viii do It's best. We hope 81
will be able 60 show clear balance
sheet at the close ~ business on June
So. hut this hope seems IN vain.
Aud So tho CITY Council. yielding 10
feeling " fear. has RETAINED from
nNlng tax rate that would cover
oil tho financial demands OF the COM
lng fiscal year. leaving not n dollar Of
donclt. and followed the beaten path
of merely avoiding a tax increase
leaving tho deficit 60 take care OF IT.
sclf THIS may lie regarded as good
policy, but u Il poor business.
somc ~ the appropriation items
should prove very interesting 20 oui
Taxpayers. and also TO people gener-
ally. as showing how the business OF
the city administration has expanded
A total Of ,S5s.ss7 Tor tho Publ,
Safety Dopartmont--polioe and fire
for tho next fiscal year Is somewha
staggering Bu, VIC now have a pail
nrc department. and II Is necessarily
more costly than was the old volun
,ecr department. and also is expected
20 be more efficient.
Refusing the request Of the Boar
of Education for an appropriation O
sa95. 600 for public school purposes
tho City Council nxed that item a
$500. 600. II Is said the members Q
the BOARD OF Education are Statistic
with this sum. a. they have othe
revenues. under the new law. from IN
State and from the filing tax. II
probable. therefore. the hoard Will
able 90 care adequately for the school
with IN, money Il will have at com
mand.
The item Of ssoo.1b4.7i for IN
Street and Sewer Department sound
large, but n is not dollar too mucl
provided the street and Sewer ID,
pertment maintains it's present exec
lent policy OF endeavoring 10 get q
much AZ possible out OF every dolls
expended. The Water Departmel
appropriation OF s2es.o0o also sounc
large but q, 10 not Indeed Il is doub
ful N 70 will be sufficient for this va
liable and profitable adjunct OF OF
administration. which far more tina
pays tie way. year after year.
Tho Board OF Park COMMISSIONS
gets s52.2O0 and will have need
every dollar Of this eum. SO VIII Il
Board % Health have full need Of
appropriation 81 1880. with s4e.s
Tor garbage collection and dispos'
The item Of sSi.sss.b7 for the w
minrton Free Library is suggest
OF the increased usefulness 81 tn