The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-01-06

WxA KUN FT ment in loss sl,soe, ,l22. .l5 less than there was in 1880.
 The large decrease in our grand list has been a by-product of the depression. Our manufacturing plants have necessarily operated with greatly decreased inventories. New building during this period has been negligible. In fact, a considerable number of buildings, which were formerly taxable property, have ben demolished be- cause their owners did not feel justified in paying taxes on no1- productive property.
 Met Obligations
 Under such adverse conditions, 1t is worthy to note that this city has, during these trying years, met all its obligations on time and in full. There has never been 8 default or delay in the payments of principal or interest on our bonds. Every city employe has been paid when his or her pay was due, and has been paid in cash, not in tokens or in scrip as many other cities were forced to pay. While 1t is true that in this period some of our departments have been compelled to exceed their appropriations, 1t is equal- ly true that such over-expendi- lures have been caused by the pressing need of providing relief and employment for the unfor- tunate.
 In this work, the city employees have made @ notable contribution. Without dissent or protest, each and every one of them has volull- tarily accepted reduction in sal- ary which at one time amounted to twenty per cent. Some time ago, Q restoration of five per cent was made, and with the begin- ming of this year a second restor- ation of five per cent goes into effect. I am happy to assure you and them that the remainder of their salary will be restored just as soon as the financial condition of the city justifies such action.
 The collection of taxes has iin- proved greatly during the past year. On January 1, 1886, the city had collected approximately 90 per cent of the taxes due on the current list, a record far better than any for many years past. Tn addition, the total uncollected taxes of prior years is about one million dollars less than 1t was Q year ago.
 Conditions Improved
 This is, of course, primarily due to improved business conditions. But 1t would be unjust not to give credit for part of this re- markable showing to the skill and efficiency with which the office of the tax collector is administered. The task of this department is at best arduous and ttankless and the record which 1t has made un- der such trying conditions de- serves public coiintnendatioh. We have every reason to believe that, with the continued improvement in business, our tax collections will equal or surpass those of tor- nal years.
 The most eloquent evidence of the rayages of the depression is to be found in the record of ex- penditures on the Welfare De- partment.
 For the year 1880, the appro- priatiof1 for this department was $8l ,450. Tn the eleven months ending December 1, 1885, the ex- penditures of the department reached the sum of S372, 2,145.47.
 No one can deny that this is 6 tremendous increase. No one can deny with justice that 1t has been necessary or that 1t has been care- fully and judiciously expended.
 1t1 spite of the invaluable work of the Mutual Aid Unemployment Fund, in spite of the relief grant, cd by the Federal Government, there are many cases which do not fall within the provinces of these agencies and which still re- quire immediate and substantial relief. The peak of this condition seems to have been reached in Marcli, 1935, when 1886 families and 248 single persons received assistance from this department, Q total of 7006 people.
 Charitable Agencies
 The tininformed citizen may question why such Q number act- tiaily required relief from the city. To those familiar with the details, the reasons are obvious. Many private charitable agencies, forced Sc ctirtail their activities, became unable to finance as many cases as before, with the result that such cases became the charges of our welfare Department. The Federal Gid given to c great null11 Der of workers Was ttistifiicierit to provide for ali their needs, so AgaMA &9a. aHFMta&4sS Ts4ssaass 1sAaEseSaA .Saa q