The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-25
PLEA SOUNDED
TO KEEP down
CITY TAXLOAD
Secretary Book Asks for
Minimum Amounts in
Appropriations.
PAY BOOST CRITICISED
Provide for Future Now,
Appeal of Chamber
Secretary.

william H. Book, secretary Of the
Chamber of Commerce civic affairs
committee, today asked all city de-
partments to request minimur'
appropriations for 1929, in an effort
to keep down the l'tax burden"
1.-THE season has arrived when
the taxpayers of Indianapolis should
be more concerned with Govern
ment than at any other time Of
year. Public officials are beginning
to compile budgets of expenditures
for 1929" Book declared.
Failure to provide adequate
revenue for certain increased ap-
preparations in the 1928 budget
alone will make necessary some in
crease. Other situations entering
into the fixing of the budget and
tax rates likewise show a tendency
toward higher rate" he said.
Too Many Boosts Asked
"There are too many requests for
additional taxes in 1929. Those who
followed the making of the 1928
budget in the civil city will recall
that the city council voted an in
crease in salary amounting to $40
annually for police and f1remen and
eliminated from the Appropriation
several hundred thousand dollars of
unpaid current bills. Bills should
be paid before salary increases are
voted.
1.-THE police and firemen salary
boost will cause large deficit at the
end of the year, because the in
crease was not provided for in the
appropriation.
"Our citizens have been pleased
greatly to observe the speed with
which important traffic arteries have
been widwened and resurfaced in
the last few months. The city has
no further money on hand to pay
it's share, but it is permitted to issue
certificates of Indebtedness for other
widening and strengthening projects.
We must provide for retirement of
these certificates in 1929.
Wants Provisions Made
"It seems likely that water and
street lighting appropriations for
1928 will not be sufficient, making
an increase in that item necessary.
eff there is deficit this year, it
should be provided for fully in next
years taxes and the appropriation
also should be sufficient for all 1929
expenditures"
Book said the civic affairs COM
rnittee will scan the budget this
year with a view to aiding the
Slack administration to "soundly
finance the government and prevent
the taxpayer from being lulled by
q small saving now which will mean
a huge increase later, when it is
time to pay the piper"
1--WE may be confident that the
financial needs of our city will be
weighed this year more carefully
and expertly than ever before. A
new city council composed Of ex-
perienced men in business will give
adaouaet consideration to the civil
city needs.
School Head Praised
"The new business director OF
schools seems to desire a reduction
in the rate, if possible, where &,
year ago officials proposed an
enormous increase, which events
have proved were unjustified.
"The taxpayers may rest assured,
we believe, that honest effort will
be made on the part of all taxing
officials to hold the rate to the
minimum necessary for efficient
operation Of Government" Book
declared.
Current issue of Activities,
Chamber magazine edited by Har-
mon Smoke, devotes an article to
tax discussion.