Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-12
CITY FINANCES Discussed by Alderman Kettig Fully and Completely. Matters Not in a Bad COndi- ton if Tax Payers Will
 Do Their Duty.

reporter of the AaE-HERALD had a talk with Alderman Kettig yesterday on the subject of city finances. The alder. man is a most active and watchful official, and what he says will be read with inter- est.
 "How are the city's finances getting alone?" asked the reporter.
 MT. Kettig-The city is short of funds and needs every dollar due it from all sources. With tax rate of only h of per cent on a very low valuation and a large bonded indebtedness of S1 ,600 ,00O nothing else could be expected. The sit- uation, while serious, is not alarming. All we now need is for the people to come up and pay the city what they owe it. II we could make prompt collections large part of the difficulty in running the city government and paying expenses would disappear. l have had some experience during other years in the city council, but there never Was board of mayor and alder men that had as many difficulties to contend with as the present one. The former years of my connection with the board were mere pleasure jeunts compared with the present ordeal we are now passing through. Some people seem to look on the mayor and aldermen as the owners Of the town, when in fact they are only the ser. wants of a corporation in which every citi- zeu is stockholder. Any effort to defeat tue success of these officers or servants in their official capacity Is an attack on the prosperity of the whole corporation. am free to admit that any one has the right to crticise political methods or the action of any public officer, but any attempt to em- harrass these officers does not jure the off, ficers individually, but injures the whole city. We want and need the advice of all good people, but at the same time need their money. When the present officers terms expire it will be the glorious privi- lege of every citizen to "help turn the ras- calls out. p
 "How about the interest on the bonded debt of the city?'
 "While the city's finances are not in the best condition 1 think it can pay the in- terest as it natures. Anyway, do not think the time has come, or perhaps never will come, for the city to default in it's in- terest. do not see any present necessity for default. l believe that with strict economy and the proper management of our finances, backed up by the prompt and hearty support of the taxpayers, our ship will ride safely over the breakers that now beat around it. I believe the hard times have reached their extreme limit of dura- tion and that from now on values and business will gradually improve. The city as a whole is certainly much better off than a year ago. Our industries are all running full time. The banks here hold about $2,- 500 GOO iu deposits, which am told is about $1 ,000, 900 more than year ago. There are very few signs, "For Rent.'' One of our most prominent citizens told me yes- terday that it took him three months to find a desirable house that was for rent. year ago he could have found one at any time after twenty -four hours notice. Bir- mingham is certainly on the up grade. All the peuple need is united effort and more confidence among themselves.
 ''Have you any plan to offer to tide the city over it's present difticulties?'
 "At the next meeting of the board of al- dermen will present plan which, while not a panacea for all troubles, l think if adopted will tide us over several years at least. 1 have studied the matter carefully and have submitted it to quite a number of city matters. They have all agreed that the plan is practicable and should be adopted at once.'
 ..How about the refunding bill?''
 'sI believe an honest effort should be made to fund the city's- debt at a lower rate of interest. It is to the interest of the bondholder to accept the new bonds. It would certainly make his principal more secure, and when the matter Is properly presented to him have no doubt but that he will take the new bonds, with the addi- tionar security they give him, instead of holding the old ones, with no other secur- ity than our simple promise to pay. It is of course the bondholder's right to accept or reJect our propOSltlOu, ana In the mean time 1t is our duty to pay the interest as long as there Is dollar left to do it with. The city m ust not under any circumstances default"
 "Do you believe it would injure the city to default op it's interest?'
 ''If the city defaults it will be the worst calamity that could happen to us all. Our credit abroad would be ruined, and with out credit no business community can prosper. The city of Birmingham would simply have black eye in the financial world. There is no telling what damage every citizen of this city would sustain in the event of such public misfortune. Property would depreciate in value, and it is my opinion that the youngest child in the state would not live to see the evil ef- fleets pass away.
 s'It is the duty of every citizen to do all in his power to sustain the city's credit. This can be done If all will promptly pay what they owe the city in license and taxes. If the city defaults the responsi- bility will rest on those who fail to pay. We must not default. With united effort and prompt support we will not default.'