The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-23
Henry B. Gray Optimistic.


 Henry B. Gray, the chairman of the finance committee of the City Council, said
 That Is an extremely interesting state ment that Mir. Ward makes concerning the eity's financial problem. The facts set out by Mir. Ward are, in my judg- ment. approximately, if not exactly, accu- rate. ap glad that these facts have been brought to the attention of the public, and glad also that MT. Ward has spoken on this subject with his characteristic frankness. The people have the right to know the truth, and MT. Ward has told the truth in clear and straightforward manner.
 Tt Is true that the deficit of last year was more than $10OO0O. and unless some thing be done, it is not likely to be less than that for the coming year. sympa- thize, therefore, with Mir. Ward in the difficulties he anticipates, and he will have my support in any intelligent and broad-minded effort he may make to solve the problem.
 q am not, however, inclined to think the question a very serious one, as l have abiding faith In Birmingham and its pos abilities. The town has burst it's swad- ding clothes, and is growing rapidly in every way. Whatever policy is adopted must recognize that fact and reckon with 1t wisely. We should not permit our views on this subject to be formed en- tirely by present conditions. It would be better to use little sagacity-that Is,
 Co. t..+1 Ia a sible-and estimate our budget upon req sonable expectation of what the city wili be in a few years.
 "One thing is certain-we must take no step backward We must not be misleo' by any quixotic sense of financial pru- dence. into imperilling the progress and prosperity of the town. At the same tune we should keep a sharp lookout for the breakers and, if need be, take a reef or two in our sails whenever it is neces- sary to do so.
 ''To sum the whole thing up, the clly government must either find way or in- vent one to do it's duty by itself and pJ the great financial and commercial world in and out of the state that is watching SO intently the development of the BIT mingham district. am satisfied that we shall be equal to every emergency that may confront us"
 Forney Isn't Frightened.
 Alderman Forney had this to say;
 "In A great many respects, l heartily endorse Mir Wards views. He may be right in urging that realty values are not assessed sufficietly high, but the remedy h,. proposes will not, in my Judgment, avail The appearance of two or three fearless and reputable men before the Board of Revenue will not bring the relief we need So long as the city is not permitted to fix tax values for it's exclu- sive use, we shall be perplexed with this problem
 'I notice that Mir. Ward states he will not permit the city to borrow more than s5oOoo A year. It was necessary last year to borrow s95.o00. This was $45.O0O in ex- cess says Mir. Ward, of the maximum lean fixed by the city charter. It may be that technically the charter was not al- together respected, but the fact remains that it was necessary to borrow the money, it was borrowed and has been paid. I am not inclined to believe that such legal teehnicalities are politically sacrosanct.
 'sometimes 1t is necessary to dig in the spurs, trust in God and take the leap. If the city is in debt, let the floating debt be funded. I think we shall need to borrow money this year just as we did last year. Let us cure this borrowing evil will not help the town. Everyone favors an economical administration, but every one knows that growing town like Bir- mingham needs monew in annually in creasing amounts. I decline to be fright