Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1924-12-20

The 1925 tax ordinance-termed
"one-man buget" by Alderman
John J. Clark-was adopted on first
reading by the aldermen shortly be-
fore 1 o'clock this morning after a
lengthy committee session in which
heated discussions and arguments
were featured.
The adoption of the budget was
accomplished only after Alderman
Clark and retiring Alderman John.
E. Sofield, lone Republican member
OF the board. told Alderman-at-large
Richard ]. Calvin what they thought
of the methods used in preparing
the budget
The budget as adopted shows an
increase of slightly more than
$4,000 to be raised by taxes next
year than in 1924. This figure does
not include the school appropriation
which does not come TO the alder
men until next February or March.
The aldermen intend to install paid
fire department in the city as an
appropriation of $125.000 to, cover
this phase of expenditures is includ-i
ed in next years budget. Several
items In the budget came in for their
share of criticism by minority mem
bers of the board both during the
committee session and the meeting
held after midnight to put the ordi-
nance through.
When the aldermen gathered In
committee session prior to holding
the first meeting OF the night, the
tentative budget was placed before
the members. Alderman Clark at
once demanded to know who had
drawn it up. 1T did,. Chairman
Calvin declared. "You have no right
to do this. Tt is the duty of Mr..
Kelly, chairman of the finance COM
mittee," Alderman Clark replied.
Alderman -at-Large Calvin explained
that he had merely set the figures
down to form a working basis for
the aldermen TO consider in deciding
upon the necessary amounts and was
not attempting to dictate to or take
the powers away from other men,
bers of the board.
1t was not until after midnight
that the budget was in such a con-
dition that It could be voted upon.
1t was then placed before the board
for official consideration and pass
age. The total amount to be raised
by taxation next year was $685.
636.3S as compared TO Ss67.914.32
this year. an increase of $50, ,722.54.
When City Clerk Philip Costello
had finished reading the proposed
budget, both Alderman Sof1eld and
Clark spoke under the heading of
remarks.
Alderman Sofieid said he was op-
posed to two items in the budget.
The first was an anticipated revenue
of $65.000 from the water depart
ment for 1925, Such an amount is
not warranted" he said. 1.-THE water
board has made nothing in the last
five years and the aldermen cannot
expect that board to suddenly turn
over to the city earnings of $4,000
as the result of one years business"
Chairman Calvin was questioned
in committee session as to how he
arrived at the figure showing antici-
pated water department revenues of
s65.000 and stated that these figures
were given him by the water board
as authentic and the water commits
sioners believed they could turn over
this amount to the city.
The other item opposed by Alder
man Sofield was the s125.000 appro-
priation for paid fire department.
81 am not objecting to paid fire de-
partment." he said, ''but 1 do think
this board should secure from the
rating bureau at Newark something
definite as to the effect of a paid
fire department on insurance rates
in this city before 1t goes blindly into
this thing. The recent underwriters
report tells us that many of the dis
tributing mains are not of sufficient
size to deliver the amount OF water
needed to successfully fight fires
here. If the water is not available
the fact that we have a paid fire de-
partment will not lessen the fire
hazards and consequently will not
likely lower the rates TO great
extent.
II want to know definitely before
I vote for this additional appropria-
ton whether a lowering of the in