The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-02-26
City's Operating Costs Cut
by Henry S. Murray'S
Management.

Down among the picturesque hills
of southern Indiana there reigns the
youngest mayor in the state-Hen-
ry S. Murray, chief magistrate of
Bedford. Mayor Murray was elect
ed to this office in November, 1929,
at the age of 26. The poll books
showed in November, 1929, a $500
Republican majority-after the
votes were counted the town pos
sessed a new mayor The new mayor
was ninety-SiX votes to the good,
and even the Republicans conceded
this an admirable feat for a Dem
Ocrat
There were those who OWlishly
shook their heads, declaring the new
mayor was far too young and in
experienced to take over the affairs
of a city government. But the fol-
lowing figures will show that these
same critics have since been forced
to back water"
Four years ago when he took Of
flee, the tax rate was $114, $685.
900 of assessment which collected
$185, 900 in taxation. The balance
in all funds were $32,507 SO. Since
taking office he has reduced the
tax rate every year until three years
later he was operating on a IS
cent rate and $11,890,000 of assess
ment with a tax collection of $685.
900 as against the past administra-
tons $185,000
Three years later the balance
in all funds was $90,576.32. He is
operating the city on exactly half
the amount used by the last Republ-
can administration, and this with
practically the same force of en-
ployeS and with the handicap of
$4,000 of delinquent taxes. Up to
the present time, he has not in
creased the bonded Indebtedness of
the city-a matter of which most
towns can not boast Due to his
management, the city of Bedford
has not missed a pay day under his
administration and he has money
enough on hand to meet the pay
roll for the remainder of the ifs
cal year.
The young mayor is very active in
the affairs of the Municipal league
of Indiana. At the 1882 convention,
Bedford and Fort Wayne we're the
chief contenders for the 1888 con-
vention. Mayor Hosey of Fort
Wayne, who is the Oldest mayor in
the state wanted the next con-
vention for his city.
Indiana's youngest mayor har-
bored the same desire for his town.
Thus entering the fray single-hand-
ed and exemplifying the old adage
that youth must be served, the
youngest" mayor succeeded in get
ting the convention for Bedford. At
the 1888 convention the young
mayor was elected president of
this organization.
He is now recognized as one Of
the leaders of his party in the
southern part of the state. He is
one of the moving spirits of the
Young Mems Democratic Club of
Lawrence county. This club was
organized in 1928 with fifteen mem
bers and now has between four
and five hundred active mem
bers. During the last campaign, he
was Governor McNutt'S campaign
manager in Lawrence county. When
the state convention opened, Law
renee county's delegation was solid
for McNutt.
Mayor Murray only recently at
tanned his thirtieth year; he is
product of the neighboring town of
Paoli, having spent his entire res
idence in that city prior to his ar
rival in Bedford. He was first en-
ployed in the freight Office Of the
Monon railroad at Bedford, from
there he accepted a position with
| the Prudential insurance company
which position he held until becom-
ing mayor.
Thoughts of the poor and un-
fortunate are ever uppermost in his
mind. and should yoEbe visitor to