The age-herald., 1898-01-14
MUST ORGANIZE FOR WORK Is the Opinion About the Amend
 ment. THE MAYOR IN HIS REPORT Will Make a Feature of the Cib's Financial Condition Speakers Should Be Sent
 Out to EnIighten People.
THE MAYOR IN HIS REPORT

With the reports of the various city off, cers and the showing of the deplorable con dition of the city's financial affairs the talk of the Birmingham amendment is re- vived
 Several progressive citizens are now try ing to arouse some interest in this ques- ton. It has been suggested that with the beginning of the political campaign, Bir- mingham should institute one of it's own.
 "The Commercial club should take hold of the movement" said gentleman yes- terday, land send out speakers to enlighten the people on the question. An effort should be made set the candidates for the state offices to explain the measure in their speeches. This is the only salvation of Birmingham, which rests in getting the amendment through There should be some organized effort. The question is impera- tive and should be taken hold of at once"
 The tax rate is now F of per cent. The amendment seeks to raise it to 1 per cent. By the present rate property owners escape the burden, which is placed on the business men and those who are required to pay privilege license. With the revenue doubled the burden would be distributed more equal ly and the cfty's integrity would be main- tained. By law the amendment to become effective must receive a majority of all votes cast. No matter if not single vote is cast against it, 1t Is killed unless a majority is cast for it.
 This amendment was defeated in the last state election, possibly through the ignor- ance of the people to it's purport. This seems to have been the only reasonable 1 cause, as the amendment, 1t is said, can | alone save the city from bankruptcy. It is argued that no citizen of the state could have just reason to vote against measure that would save the foremost city of the state from disaster and could not possi- bly, injure any other section.
 Auditor Camps report gave a complete summary of the eitys financial condition and ended with the injunction that leg islatve action alone could steer the city clear of the breakers. Mayor Evans will also feature this question in his report to be submitted to the council at it's meeting Wednesday night. He has not yet com | pleted the report, but has been working on | it several days. It will probably make five | columns in a newspaper and no doubt will | be in keeping with the concise and forceful | way in which the mayor generally presents the various questions of importance.
 The bonded debt of the city as given by the auditor is $1,G100o0, the amount paid on this. was $3SS while the amount held under the "Steiner plan" was $56, 235 for the past year. The mayor will figure this out to the hour and minute and will present a powerful argument along with the fact that the interest is constantly accumu,at- | ing and cannot possibly be reduced with | out some enacton for increased taxation.
 An interesting fact to note in this con- nection is that since 1894 the amount of | taxes collected on real estate had decreased | 39 per cent. while the amount of privilege tax has increased 60 per cent.
 It is said that the mayor will give much space to this in his report and make strike for better mode of appraisement, better system as 1t were or a way by which property can be assessed at some thing like its value. By the present mode l the city tax assessor must make his ap- | praisement from the books of the county | assessor. It is said that in nearly every | instance property assessments have de- l clined every year while the income such property has remained almost stationary
 There are many things, it is claimed, for which the city needs money. The bonded debt is the biggest load, but among the other things is mentioned the schools and the police department. It is the regret of 1 every citizen that the public schools can | not be kept open without tuition the en- 1 tire term, and it is claimed by the mayor and police commission that the police force | should be doubled for the adequate pro- lection of the city.