The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-17
CHARLES E. MILAN NOW
 IS MAYOR OF MOBILE

somewhat in our way. but the evils from which the public affairs of Mobile have, l believe, most seriously suffered, must be looked for in unwillingness or perhaps. to be more accurate, an inability on the part of those who have had them in charge, to devote to the public business the same sort of energy of which they themselves must succeed in private life or fail. Pardon me, gentlemen. if l have too plainly stated our too common errer. I am aware, of course, that 1t Is diff ficuh for those who are engrossed in private business to devote to public af- fadrs the time and attention which Is necessary to their proper administration. but at the same time we ought not to forget that we have assumed burden voluntarily and this burden Is a sacred trust. We ought to remember that our neglect must necessarily involve most serious public loss and heap up burdens upon the living and posterity. l desire to thank you sincerely for the confidence you have reposed in me. 1 shall try to give some evidence that 1t has not been unjustified, but should this body rail at this crisis of our municipal life to de- vote to the Nublic good their earnest ana patriotic energy and thought, 1 snall re- tire from this rostrum ashamed or the election for which l now express my pride and gratitude.
 Hon. c. W. Butt moved that commit tee of three be appointed to wait on the Mayor and announce ready for business. The chair appointed Messrs. Butt, kirk- bride and A Lyons They soon return ed with the following message:
 Message from Mayor.
 '.ro the Mobile General Council
 "It is proper at the beginning of your labors you should be apprised In gen eraI way of the condition of the city's af- ,, faits. in order to reach n Intelligent con clusion upon questions which VIII come before you for consideration.
 While the general prosperous condi- tons of the country have been ref1ected in the city's revenues the necessities of a growing municipality each year call for increasing expenditures in every depart ment. The demand for increased protec- tion to life and property during the past year were such that an increased expeno- iture of approximately A6,000 was incurred in the police and fire departments or our city, making the present annual cost of these departments ,n the neighborhood of about $76,000. The duty of protecting its citizens and lighting Its streets Is one which must be met by the municipality, as ltberally as It's financial condition will permit. It is believed, however. that the present expenditures for these purposes are amply sufficient, if intelligenty and economically administered
 During the coming year in addition to our fixed charges and expenses. we will have to meet and provive for deficit which, according to an approximate eS- timate of the City Clerk, will amount to dDOuI xEi,UUU- 1TlS ueHCtI HdS DcSH Ills herited by this administration and in or de: to prevent embarrassment will require the exercise of the most rigid economy in all departments of the city government consistent with the proper administration of its affairs.
 Another burden, incident to the growth of Mobile. which you will have to take into account during the coming year. is the payment of the interest upon that part of the paving bonds which under the ChArGalhla n fhaA nd the retirement of one-dftieth of Its pro- portion of such bonds. 1t is estimated that In the aggregate this will require about sl0OOo to $l1.O0O during the year ending March 15 1904.
 Water Works and Sewers.
 Tt is a matter of great concern and disappointment that the water works and sewers should continue to be such a draft upon our resources. The reports submit ted March 15, 1902. show that the city had an outstanding debt of about S72, 900 for extraordinary expenditures in the water works and sewerage departments In order to partially relieve the situation the city issued its impro vemsnt bonds for $6o,OOo The amount of the deficit, March 10, 1902. according to the report of the City Clerk, was $l3306.3 39. It will be seen therefore that notwithstanding a fairly prosperous year, the city reached the end Of the year with an increased debt ap- proximating $27.000. This, in part is due to the expense attached to the mainte- nance, operation and improvement of the water works and sewerage systems My information is that the cost of the opera .ion' maintenance and Improvement of the water works during the year, up to March l, 1903, has been $5l, ,030. 72, while the gross receipts up to March l, 1903. were $JO,SS7. 42, This, of necessity, casts upon the city the burden of paying out of its general revenues the interest upon its wa ter works and sewer bonds, $33, 75O and the expense of maintaining the sewers. which my information is was about S7 200 last year. It is the opinion of the execu- n's oive mat these conditoons can be materi- ally improved and at the same time the efficiency of the service increased
 At this time there are but one oY two matters which I desire to bring to vour attention, chief of which is the fact that the contract between the city of Mobile and Creole Fire Company, No. 1, expired by limitation of yesterday March l5, lyY under the terms of the contract the citv has padd the company goo per month. The Chief of the fire department recommends that the contract be renewed mon inc same terms and therefore ask authority from your honorable body to execute a new contract with the company for a pe- riod of three years.
 A Building Inspector.
 Another matter of considerable import ahce, Ill view Of the continually increas- Ing size Of our stores and public build lhgs, IS some provision regulating their construction and inspection bv a duiv authorized representative of the city. Ihese duties should be performed by some competent engineer; and inasmuch as the arrangement under which the board of public works manages and controls the streets relieves the city engineer of con siderable labor and gives him the time necessary to act as building inspector, I recommend that your honorable body pass an ordinance upon the lines adopted in other cities, regulating the construction of buildings and making 1t a part of the duties of the city engineer to act as build ing inspector.
 My information is that the present manner of purchasing supplies for the city, Involving the expenditure of about T5,OOO annually. lacks system, and is not productive of the best results. It Is not in line with the systematic methods adopted by other cities. Montgomery and other cities provide that all supplies shall be purchased under the supervision of particular head, and 1t is said that the plan results in the saving of a great deal of money. It Is apparent that our needs demand that we should save all that we can, and hope the Council will make provision for system and economy in this matter. The annual saving will be such as to warrant the expenditure to secure competent and intelligent manage ment in the purchase of supplies.
 "Inasmuch as the annual reports of the various departments will not be submit ted until the next meeting of your body, definite information as to the condition of the different branches of the city gov ernment cannot be laid before you at this time. Upon the filing of the annual re- ports, the executive will call your at tention to such matters and make such recommendations may be deemed of interest and will promote the public good.
 It Is my purpose to devote my entire time and energy to the affairs of the city, and F0a1 that fin all 1OOxiDur n