Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-06-24
rHE CITY,s FINANCES.

past year was made In the common
Council lastnight by Capt. Albert Bryan,
chairman of the finance committee;
The receipts of the corporation for |
the fiscal year ending May 81, 1908,
of each fund, general, gas and sinking
fund have reached and passed tne
estimates made year ago. VIII give
a summary of that of the general funo
as shown in the Auditors statement
presented tonight. The total as
given in receipts, in figures, amount
to S163, 627.99, and the same figures
appear as expenditures. To show the
exact net receipts we should subtract
S44. 95S. Al received from sale of bonds
and 81, 1880 amount due the City
Treasurer in balancing the account,
neither of these two items were placed
in probable estimates last year. IL
will be remembered, that, in present.
ing the appropriation bill last year, l
read from a paper which is now on my
desk. in which $l13, 800 90 was given
as expected receipts. Each and every
item has been realized, except the
S11 900. 90 from gas works, which we
would have received from that fund
but for the coal strike, which caused
much greater outlay for coal than was
anticipated by any one. Having re-
ceived only 81, 100000 from gas fund we
will. in order to compare our net
receipts with our estimates, reduce
those estimates to S109, SOC. 90. The net
receipts for the year being S1l7, 1865,
it is apparent that we exceeded our
estimated receipts by 81, S95.6S, the ex-
cess being as follows: Taxes, S2,OO5.29;
Fines, $1,906.25; Mayors Licenses,
s346. is; Dog Licenses, $4,000; Sewer
| Permits. 81, 057. 55; Balancein Treasury,
June LIST, 1902, S637.52, and sundry
small items as shown in the Auditors
statement amounting to 1922.
Itawill be observed that only
s44. 20O. 90 of the bonds 1902 have been
sold, upon which there was realized a
premium ofS75S.41. The bonds having
been issued for the purpose of re-
building the gas works, and street
and sewer purposes, the fact that only
500, 10000 has been, as yet paid on the
gas works appropriation of S25, 90,
and $40, 1855 on the King. street
paving, proves that it was good policy
not to sell the whole 100000 OF
bonds, as interest on S5,S0O.OO has
been saved for certainly eighteen
months, perhaps longer.
These bonds which could have been
sold time and again, and will be when
necessary, will in all probability mark
the last sale of bonds, restricted as we
are both by State laws and constitu
tional requirements. While the re
ceipts seem to show that we are behind
to the extent of 81, 1880 such is more
apparent than real. The gas funo
transfer, Notwithstanding the price O
coal. would have been not less thar
IS. SOC. 90, but it was the desire of the
Committee on Light and the Clerk O.
Gas, to pay for all coal used, and al
supplies furnished during the year
and commence with coal under new
contract and start the new works witt
no balances. The wishes OF the com
mittee and clerk were cheerful,
acauiesced in by the city officers. Th'
CITY Council having with singula
unanimity given the Committee Oh
LIGHT every dollar asked for, it is no
only hoped, but expected, that it viii
make good every one of the ten state
ments made to the City Council il
April. 1902. under the caption, I'D
. pantaqes and Results 10 be Obtained b
5 INSTALLING at orr CITY Gas Works Moder
Coal Gas PIant.r Among the man.
= claims made for the new works wa
one that its producing powers woul'
p be much greater, even with lessene'
. cost of operating, this has beer
promised by those managing the ga
works. and has been read by thousands
e The public will look for practices
e results, and for one indulge the hop
d that it will not be disappointed. N
temporary loan was made this yeal
= and while at times during May tn
CITY funds were low, at no time wer
we without money to our credit. liner
= has been a settlement of the pawn
bills on King street below Royal t
q the river, on Fairfax street, and o
e Alfred from King to Queen. mea
If by settlement that no objection ha
been made to the payment OF the Dill
k majority preferring to pay oil
= rather than to give notes bearing 81
per cent interest. The amount al
:, portioned property owners for the
u share of this work was S9,363.32,
! which 81. O6O. So has been paid, leavin
/ abalance of 80, 292. 80, forwhich amour
/. notes have been delivered to the city
80. 039. 6Obeing for Alfredstreet paving
i The expenditures during the yea
q were kept well within the several al
. preparations. 1t is true that 81, 2SS.e
was charged to streets and sewers
= while only S13, 10000 was placed in tn
X general appropriation bill, yet tn
e was all correct as Council ordere
work from time to time and made al
e nropriations for same. The year how
n ever was one ofthe most actlve IN OF
2. public life for decades. King stree
n from the Potomac river to Fayeti
street. and Alfred street. from Kin
TO Queen. paved with vitritied bricl
The gas works when finished is e,
l. pected to be fully up to date. III
le citv Jail and the market buildir
n painted and put in a safe condition
the addition to our fire department
N a first-class steam fire engine and hot
+ reel which will greatly increase /
Il efficiency, and the extension of sewe
where desired or necessary, are re
of the many things we can refer
n with satisfaction. The changeinlistin
% property, real and personal, one boo
Ie for each ward, has worked wei
d as the proof is such to allow I
le mistakes. The assessment was car
le fully made and the books neatly pr
pared by the Commissioners
Revenue. The matter of assassin
licenses, which has at times cause
ID ANNOYANCE, has been much improve
st bv the amendment made to the liceni
lie law in May, 1902. The Tax Collecto
lie through hard work and energy, &C
IN lected bills which might otherwii
ID have been lost, and promptly settle
L;o oooor,,k 10 having or hainO rpUlirf