The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-04-28
CITY TOWNSHIP
TRUSTEE POST
is REAL PLUM
II Seek Oft Overlooked Job
Which Carries Big Fund
Control, Patronage.


One of the most important posts
in the county, often ignored by citi-
zens watching the mad scramble for
other positions, is that Of Center
township trustee.
But to the trained seeker Of po-
litical plums the trusteeship is not
70 be despised.
Election to this post give him al
most czaristic control Of revenue
# $4,000: a balance of a similar
mount and an annual expenditure
+ $4,000
Besides this, there are fifty jobs
, be handed out as patronage.
Seven Republicans and four DEM
rats are vieing for this position.
Controls Three Schools
The Center township trustee has
1ntrol of three schools. Until 1929
here were four, but the one located
It Thirty-eighth street and Gale
venue as transferred to the city
school department in 1929.
In 1929 the trustee, Mrs. Amelia
Harding, whose salary is $4,000 a
year, received from taxes S146,806.43,
and during the year disbursed $122,-
1852. Her statement for Dec. 81,
1929, showed a balance of $128,646.45.
The trustee takes care of the
poor, about thirty-f1Ve miles Of
township roads and the education
Of the children living outside OF the
township.
Records for the past four years
reveal that when Mrs. Harding as
sumed Office, four years ago, the
tax rate was $147 per 500.
No school bonds were retired IN
der that figure and it was necessary
TO dip into the general fund in order
to tide over the year.
Levy Was Increased
The next year the levy was in
creased by the advisory board OF
three to S1705 per 500 because 1t
was found necessary TO begin the
retirement of bonds. In 1928, the
tax rate was $1,701, and in 1929,
Sits.
This latter increase was due, it is
explained to the necessity OF in
creasing the tax for poor relief from
OFT to 021.
The tuition levy also was increased
from so cents in 1926 to 70 cents IN
1929.
However, the road levy was cut
from 10 cents to 5 cents; and the
special school, which provides pay
for janitors, school books, transpor-
tation. etc.
Twenty-nine teachers, one bus
driver and four janitors are needed
to care for the three schools now
under the control of the township.
They are located at 200 South
Pennsylvania street, Perkins and
Raymoi { streets and Bowser and
Alexander streets.
$4,000 Outstanding
All bonds but $45, 900 on the school
have been retired.
When the city pays the $l15,0OO
demanded for the school sold it. the
trustee expects to be able to retire
all of the bonds and so cut down the
tax rate.
The township is in excellent finan-
cial condition, according to the
state board Of accounts which an
nuaIly inspects its books.
During the past four years the
state tax board has not been able
to find a single item of expenditure
which could be reduced and accord
ing to its action, the township is
being operated economically.
Records of disbursements show
that during the last year $4,000 of
bonds were retired; S37,759.57 was
spent from the special school fund;
s3l, 630.51 was spent for tuition;
S3,O65.65 for roads and S12,953.13 for
treatment of dog bite victims and
miscellaneous expenses.
Board Is Responsible
The tax rate is fixed by the ad-
visory board after all budget ex-
penditures are checked and it is the
board which is responsible for all
expenditures.
Mrs. Harding was elected when
her husband died following the pri-
mary and she was named by the
county chairman to take his place
on the ticket.
other candidates are William j.
Hamilton. deputy coroner, Coffin
ward chairman and organization
general factotum; Cal E. House,
Clarence L. Mcpherson; Boynton
J. Moore, former councilman in the
puyall administration who was in
dicted and convicted on charge of
accepting a bride; Albert Poland and
Edward G. New, president of the
Young Lawyers Association of In
dianapolis and former superintend-
emit of the Bots Dare (Mo)
schools.
The Democrats are Howe Abbott.
druggist and former Thirteenth
ward chairman; Walter Anderson,
Hannah A. Noone and Miss Fay
Terrill, active in Democratic poll
lies and former high school and COL