The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-08-28
OUTLINES new
REDUCTIONS FOR
1929 TAXLEvY
Report SLAVES Estimate by
5 Cents on $1.t5
Rate.
COUNCIL MEETS TONIGHT
Session Called to Consider
ReviSionS in Preparation
for Voting.


Reduction of cents in the pro-
posed 1929 city tax levy was recon-
mended today by the Chamber o.
Commerce civic affairs committee.
The Chamber officials proposes
cutting the rate from $115, asked
by Mayor L. Ert Slack, to $1.1o
after thorough study of the ap-
preparation ordinance. William IL
Book, Chamber civic director an
nounced the Chambers decision.
The reduction still allows an in
crease of Us cents over the 1929
rate if the council sees fit to fol-
low the Chambers plan. 1t is ul-
derstood the councils evision of the
budget submitted by the admins
tration varies in some instances
but generally agrees with the rec
concentrations of Book
Edward B. Raub, council finance
chairman, has called meeting Of
the council tonight to go over the
budget again in conference before
it is formally adopted. President
Edward B. Raub plans a meeting
Friday or Saturday to avoid meet
ing on Labor day
$4,000 for Airport Upkeep
THE chamber suppested reduction
of the general fund levy from IS
cents on each 500 Of property to
62.5 cents. The chambers proposed
rate would bring in $4,704,222 on
the basis of the $676,000,000 valu-
alton of property. About $9,336,0OO
would be raised by the $1.1o rate.
Appropriation of $4,000 for an
emergency fund, $4,000 to be used
for operation and maintenance Of
the proposed municipal landing
field was urged.
Other proposed reductions in
separate levies urged by the cham
Der:
City sinking fund, from AIS cents
to 4 cents; city street Improvement,
90 cents to 90 cents; school health,
from 1.25 cents to / cent; tubercu-
losis fund, from mills to 5 mills;
park levy from 6.75 to 6 cents; park
sinking fund from ITS cents to 2
cents; sanitation, from 7.2 cents to
z cents.
The chambers study provides for
slicing the proposed total appro-
priation about $4,000 providing
for the scent drop.
Elimination of salary increases,
requests for additional personnel
and pairing ofgspecial levies enable
the saving cited by the chamber.
Book commended the councils
business like study of the budget.
"We are gratifled to report the
budget has received from the coun-
Gil more careful consideration and
the benefit of sounder judgment
than has been the experience of
Indianapolis for many years." the
report declared.
Hits Water Bill Bonds
The report scored the issuance Of
$4,000 in bonds to meet current
water bills, made necessary by ac-
ton of a former council. PAIRING Of
$4,000 from the $4,000 request for
water, heat and light bills in 1929
was suggested. The proposed figure
was an increase of $4,000 over
the 1928 appropriation, designed to
meet the deficit.
Book fayed the practice of paying
employees from more than one fund,
the budget not indicating that Of
fetal received double salaries.
"a bookkeeper for the board of
works received $4,200 from the track
elevation and flood prevention funds
for which he does similar work."
Budgeting Of money to be ap-
propriated for flood prevention,
track elevation and other special
levies to give council some idea as
to the proposed expenditures was
urged.
Lists Recommendations
Departmental recommendations:
City Engineer-Increased per-
sonnet and salary raises totaling
$4,000,
Street Commissioner-Continua-
ton of gasoline tax funds for re-
pairing unimproved streets and
purchase of motor street cleaning
equipment.
City Hall-Improvement in gen.
eral appearance of public buildings
and keeping city hall spotless."
City Garage-Careful supervision
of city cars by department heads
and combination of fire, police, san
itary and park department shops
More economical operation by
Standardization of motor equip
ment.
Safety Elimination of re-
quest for twelve additional police
men and fifteen firemen. City has
slightly more police and f1remen al
present than might be expected for
city of its population and size. Strict
enforcement of sickness ruling and
retirement Of elderly police and fire.
men absent from duty more than
reasonable period.
Gamewell Observation-Disclosures
of the Merchants Bank Bldg. fire
tower at saving of $1,000 annually
Thirteen new electric traffic signals
Building Observation-Disclosures
n1ent of sign inspector and employ
ment of skilled combustion engineer
to serve as smoke inspector.
Health Department-County be
requested to revive support of psy-
chcpathic ward at city hospital
where county patients are treated.
FavOrs Elevation Levy
Sanitary Department-Itemizine
of the budget presented to council
l.