The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-09-13
SACRIFICE OF
HEALTH ASKED
TO CUT TAXES
Spokesman Would EIimi-
nate Infant Welfare Clinics
to Save City.

Drastic SlaSheS IN 1888 city budget
appropriations for the recreation
department failed to satisfy repre-
sentativeS of tax relief organiza-
tions, who demanded an additional
slice in government expenditures at
special city council meeting Mon
day night. Abolition of school medi-
cal inspection and infant welfare
clinics has been advocated, it was
learned.
Further curtailment of city de-
partment functions through reduc-
ton of appropriations will be OPP
posed strenuously, city officials as
serted. Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan
has stated that further reduction
in the budget would prevent proper
operation of local government.
1t is known that tax relief rep
resentatives had urged the medical
inspection and school nursing corps
be abolished and that infant well
fare clinics, which have reduced
mortality rates in the city to one
third the figure of former years, be
thrown out"
William H. Book of the Chamber
of Commerce denied that the rep
resentatives had urged elimination
of school health programs or had
sought to abolish infant welfare
clinics.
Demands Further Slash
James r. Branson of the Marion
County Association for Tax Reduc-
ton, acting as spokesman for the
Chamber of Commerce and the In
diana Taxpayers Association, de-
manded that supply items, already
said by city officials to be reduced
below safe margins, be slashed
$4,000.
Other recommendations included
another 10 per cent salary cut for
city employees, reduction of $4,000
in items providing for new equip
ment, decrease in police personnel
by nonfilling of vacancies, and
transfer of funds in spite of advice
from the city legal staff that such
moves are against state statutes.
Expected public demonstration at
the meeting failed to materialize,
when fewer than sixty persons, of
whom nearly score were city en-
ployeS, attended the session. Only
one civilian" o. P. Foreman, ad-
dressed the council.
Want More Cuts
Announcement of plans for the
protest meeting was made last week,
after presentation of the proposed
budget to the city council. Although
assisting in preparation of the bud
get and securing adoption of all
recommendations on which the
three groups agreed, representatives
of the tax relief bodies expressed
themselves as dissatisfied with re-
duction amounts.
Under the proposed levy of $l.319
this year, $2S4,3S8.74 less will be
raised by taxes than under the 1882
levy of $l.08, Sullivan pointed out in
letter TO council.
Retirement and interest on bonds
issued by previous administrations,
necessity for paying expense of a
primary and city election next year,
and increase in utility bills were
cited by Sullivan as handicaps I'M
der which the city labors in efforts
to reduce governmental cost.
Valuation Drops Far
Reduction of more than 1921 ,OOO,-
900 in assessed valuation of Indian
apolS property, and necessity for
providing for tripled delinquency
expectation, also Handicapped efforts
to hold the levy nearer the limits
Of 1882, Sullivan said.
The council and city department
heads will consider the budget Fri
day night. A public meeting is
scheduled for Monday night at
which the budget must be ap-
proved finally.