The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-02-08
MAYOR WARD SUBMITS
FIRST ANNUAL MESSAGE

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lished. Employees and officials in each
department can now have a clear knowl-
edge of its functions and rights and of
the relation 1t bears to the municipal gov
eminent as a whole.
As a supplement to this work it is here
with recommended that you authorize the
compiling OF another book containing all
contracts franchises and other grants
heretofore made by or 20 the city.
This book should also contain copies OF
deeds, rights of way for street purposes,
list of city property, and all other docu-
ments that can be of service to future
generations.
These documents are now scattered
among different departments at the city
hail. Many of them are lost and known
only as a tradition. Some Of them are
recorded In minute books Of years past
and some are only referred to.
They should be systematically collected
and compiled in permanent form so as
to be readily at hand whenever needed.
Finance.
The city commences 1906 with all bills
paid that are due.
Bills and accounts payable but
not due. less cash on hand, 1904. $50, 22l.S1
Bills and accounts payable but
not due, less cash on hand, 1906. 24,0166O
Showing net decrease in debt
of the Observation-Disclosures. S35, POS. 81
(See auditors report table LID
Diligence and pressure has been used In
adjusting and settling all accounts. both
payable and receivable, that have been
in controversy.
This has resulted in almost a total
wiping out OF departmental complications
that were inherited by this administration
and also in much advantage to your treas
ury.
At the commencement of this admins
tration the heads of all departments were
requested to curtail expenses wherever
possible without impairing the efficiency
of the service, also to see that every
source of revenue produced to Its full ex-
tent.
That this was done vigorously is shown
by the following figures and due recog-
milton is herewith made.
Gross Receipts.
lS0o =. ..$61l ,70302
1903 :. sos, S0821
Increase :. =. 500 S94S1
Gross Expenses.
1905 :. E. :. >. :. :. :. :. .s619,S7s16
1904 :. :. 56l,SS5.66
Increase :. :. :. :. =. IS 57,s925O
This increase of $57,ss2.50 took place as
follows:
Four months from January to
May .............. .........A.......$ 34,7oS97
Eight months from May to jan
uary ........................$ 20,13S53
3 81, 1872 so
The last eight months increase is charg-
able most entirely to the fire department
school department and street and sani-
tary operations.
Nearly every other department, while
showing a decrease in expenditures, prob
ably produced greater results than ever
before.
In fact, the total increase and nearly
s10,Ctk additional, saved in other depart
ments, was absorbed by
Schools ........ ..................,....$ 10000
Fire department ...-.................. 1900
Bond interest ........................ 5000
Disputed water bills ................. $3.50
Street cleaning, etc. .................. 5000
se6,25O
These great departments must be ex-
pected, however, to increase yearly in
every growing city.
1t has not heretofore been done but
this year the school department is charged
with all bills pertaining to It, except
$4,000, bond interest that the city pays
on bonds on school property.
The annual statement for this time
next year will probably not be as sat
isfactory even as the one here presented
For the year 1905 the estimated increase
in receipts is $4,000. while the estimated
increase in expenses is 100000.
An increase in salary of nearly all en-
ployes except heads of departments has
been made.
While this action is not justified by the
showing of receipts and disbursements,
the board feels that it is justified by the
increased cost of the necessities of life.
and by the facts that all employees of
this city are forced to pay their bills.
Neither can the Extra First Size" fire
department, which is ubw being installed
and equipped with increased charge for
salaries alone of $4,000 per annum, be
justified by our balance sheet but the
board recognizes that 1t is wiser to be
ahead with this department for a few
years than to be behind In fire protection
even for few months.
Treasurer and Tax Collector.
These statements are so comprehensive
and accurate as to furnish a foundation
for all future reports.
After great care and labor on back
work by the capable official in charge,
these departments have been brought to
IA point where the books show the real
state Of affairs. This Is true of the
general books of the city as well as
public bond Improvement account.
Hereafter citizens Interested lin this
latter fund will always be able to get
an accurate statement of their account.
Engineering
Those great improvements essential to
the making of a prosperous city are be-
ing pushed vigorously by this depart
ment
A large number of ordinances for street
paving have been drawn and introduced
for passage, but are held up on protest