The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-22
GEORGE B. WARDS
 FINANCIAL POLICY Revenue Problem Overshadows All Else in City Government 1904 DEFICIT IS SlO1,577 Mayor-sIeot Will Not Borrow More Money Than Charter Author
 izes-Realty Assessments
 Should Be Increased.

George B Ward, the Mayor-e1ect of Birmingham. in response to inquiries made yesterday regarding the probable policy of his administration, said that the overshadowing problem in municipal af- fairs was the financial questionable ques- tion as to what means should be used and what expedents employed to prevent deficit in the city treasury.
 Deficit of s1o1,577 for 1904.
 "In order clearly to understand what this problem is," said MT. Ward. 'it is necessary to recognize at the outset that in the year 1904 the expenditures of the city government, exclusive of bills pay able, exceeded the revenue receipts in the amount of s101,577. The bills payable will increase this deficit approximately to the amount of s12ooOO In order to pay this deficit the city borrowed last year the sum of ss5.oOO which was paid out of the realty taxes collected in Novem- Der and December, 1904. These realty taxes, 1t should be borne in mind, are in- tended to defray the expenses of the year following their collection.
 
 The problem with which the next mu- nicipal administration will be confront ed" continued MT. Ward, will be simply this: How can we make the expenditures of the city square with it's revenue re- ceipts. This problem may be solved by adopting any one of three plans, or by adopting. in a measure, each of three plans. The city might
 T. Continue to borrow money, in direct violation of its charter, in excess of $50,- 900 year to defray its expenses. In so far as in me lies. may say that this policy will be resisted.
 ''2. Devise means Dy which revenue re- quisite for the needs of the city can be legitimately collected.
 s. Adopt. wherever practicable. a pol icy of economy and retrenchment in all departments of the city government.
 MT. Wards Plan.
 'I am inclined to think that it would be wise to adopt none of these problems exclusively, but each one of them in q measure. By that mean that we should seek to increase the revenues of the city by all legitimate means. decrease Its expenditures wherever decrease can be reasonably made, and. in the event of a probable deficit, borrow money not ex- ceeding $5O,O0O in amount to tide the city oyer any temporary embarrassment 1t may encounter. Inasmuch. however, as the city charter prohibits the borrowing of more than s50,000. l shall do all in my power to prevent violation of that of ,na oho ha sary for the city. to borrow some money It should not be necessary for 1t to violate the organic law of it's being and while 1 am Mayor 1t shall be my duty to see to 1t that no such violation of law Is coun- tenanced.
 Realty Values Assessment.
 "Everyone who Is we'll acquainted with conditions in Birmingham understands that the city has been and Is placed in this embarrassed financial condition by reason of the fact that the realty values in the city are not adequately assessed. These realty values, as recorded on the assessors books are unreasonably low. Numerous cases might be cited in which property is now assessed at only 10 or 15 per cent of 1t salable value The as sessments should, in my judgment, be at least 50 per cent of the property's selling value.
 rs Raise the Assessment.
 with these admitted facts before us, it seems to me that our most effective means of relief Is in raising assessments on realty values. It Is my intention to get competent and fearless men to appear be- fore the Board of Revenue snd insist that realty values in Birmingham be ade- quately assessed.
 '.The solution of this financial problem rests. however, in the last analysis with the people. What they will to do can and will be done. They are entitled to know what Is the financial condition of the city government and to know also what should be expected under existing condi- tions I propose that the people of Bir- mingham shall understand thoroughly everything that relates to the purse of the city. The money in the treasury is their money-the administration Is merely an agent authorized by their votes to disburse 1t.
 The Peoples Problem.
 'sThe financial problem with which the city is confronted is the peoples prob lem, and can be solved rightly only when they understand all aspects of the case. I shall do all that lies in my power in the effort to carry forward the work of upbuilding the city, but this develop ment must be based in a prudent finan- cial policy, and in one too that will not plunge the city, without legal author ity, into debt.
 .I might add that my conclusions on