The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-21

would probably provide sufhcient Tor sate
maintenance, and a small sinking 1uno
looking towards retirement OF BONDS.
| renew recommendations heretofore made
to secure authority for establishment OF
this sinking fund.
While am opposed under existing con-
ditions to any exenditures that can be
ayoided. I concur in the Recommendation
of the Superintendent TO build duplicate
large engine. This l have repeatedly ad-
vocated when a member of the Council
and since occupying the executive chair.
The risk of depending upon one pump
p! Of sufficient capacity to supply the city
with water needed, Is one that think
| should be assumed no further by the
| City Council.
In estimating the benefits secured by
the city in owning its water plant, 1t
must not be overlooked that the city Is
saving at least $4,000 a year on what
would have been the charges for hre,
| flushing. sprinkling, fountains, city build
| ings. parks, cemetery, etc, under the
Low est propositicn submitted by the old
| company when endeavoring to make
| new contract with the city.
But far and above money consideration
| is the inestimable advantage OF having
| one of the purest water supplies in the
world. and ample for all purposes. This
our people were unable to obtain from
former owners, even after years of liti-
cation.
The private owners refused to abandon
their river pumping station, even when
inducements were offered them to do so.
and ip my opinion they would have never
done so.
Considering the intimate relations of
water supply to the life and health Of
the community, 1T appears to me almost
criminal on the part Of municipalities to
permit 1t to be furnished by private par
ties, interested only in their private
gains.
Sanitary Department.
This department has been kept up to its
usual high standard as Is shown in the
very complete report of the City Physi-
clan transmitted herewith. concur in
his opinion of the city owning its own
slaughter house. The City Physician has
stated to me verbally that in his opinion
the net income. without increase Of costs
to patrons. would be sunicient to pay for
a hrst-class plant In q very few years.
II q careful investigator should prove
this to be the case. 1t might be feasible
to acquire or erect a plant without outlay
of actual money. I recommend that the
matter be Investigated on these lines.
Fire Department.
The report Of the Chief Of the Fire
Department shows that the department
continues to keep UP its excellent record.
In accordance with recommendation In
last annual report, the use of the aerial
truck has been abandoned. except In the
comparatively few cases where It could
be used servioably.
The old truck has been placed in
thorough repair at a nominal cost. most
of the work having been done by men,
bers of the department.
The recommendations of the Chief for
the purchase of additional apparatus are
unquestienably proper, but the same
question comes up for your consideration.
in connection Herewith as in case Of
other needful requirements.
Electrical Control.
The placing Of telephone wires under
ground in certain sections of the city has
been completed.
/ renew previous recommendation of
considering the ACCESSIBILITY of requiring
other wires to take the same course.
i concur in the recommendation of the
City Electrician that a storage battery
be put in to operate the fire alarm sys-
tenn, provided that payments be made In
installments to amount of guaranteed
saving each year, until paid for. be-
lieve this can be done.
The Council Is to be congratulated on
the very low price for electric lights for
the ten year term beginning January LIST,
1903. The low figure of $5l per lamp per
year Is much lower than other cities con-
tracing for lights, and somewhat lower
| than municipality owned plants. where
proper accounts are kept.
The new street railway system now be-
ing constructed, and the practical recon-
struction of the old system and equip
ment with new cars underway, will give
Montgomery as good a street car service
as can be found anywhere, and remove
the blot Of an Anticipated and worn out
system which has been worrying our peo-
pie for so long time.
Judiciary Department.
The new City Code has been completed
and adopted. The most important work
of this OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES litigation
lis referred to in another portion of this
report.
Public Schools
.Ihe expenditures Of the School Depart
ment are about 1000 larger than previous
year, making an increase of about $1,000
| in past two years. They will also be in
creased this year and will continue to in
crease from year to year. 1t 10 one de-
partment which. In my opinion, should
| be kept up to the highest standard.
The Heron Street school building, badly
damaged by fire last December, has been
rebuilt and remodelled and the latest i'm
proved heating and ventilating apparatus
| installed. 1t is now equal to any school
building in the city and much superior
| to several
Market Department.
The alterations in the market are COM
pleted which will cause an increasing
| revenue from year to year. AS soon as
our citizens lose the prejudice caused by
the miserable condition in which 1t was
left at the time the Auditorium addition
| was made.
Park and Cemetery.
These have been kept in good condition
considering the very limited funds availa-
| BILE.
The city park Is growing in popular