The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-16

When an improvement is contem- plated .ard an appropriation becomes necessary, we should consider, with the utmost care and scrutiny, the neces- sity for such an improvement. and if found not to be absolutely essential to the good of the city then it should be made.
 "on, the other hand. should such improvement be found necessary, and the money bc appropriated, then we should see that the city gets in return a substantiai benefit therefrom, either monetary or otherwise.
 Our expenditures, however, are and will continue to be on the increase this of course being occasioned by the demands of a growing city. To meet these demands, it will be appre- ciated by you that an increase in reve- nue shguld be had. and without work ing a hardship upon our citizens, if it Is possible, tae do this.
 Tt is my opinion that 1t is entirely impracticable to make permanent im- provements out of~the general funds This should be done, either by the is- suance of Improvement bonds, or from some fund other than the general fund.
 During the year just closed. an is- sue of $549.000 of refunding bonds was disposed of. Unfortunately Tor the city of Montgomery. these bonds ma tured at time when money matters were very stringent, and great diff1- culty was encountered in their dispo- sition. However, this was accom- plfshed in a satisfactory manner, and the credit of our city maintained.
 At the recent session of the Legis- lature of the State of Alabama, a law was enacted whereby the city of Mont gomery is authorized to issue bonds to the amount of s10o,000 for the pur- pose of liauidating outstanding obli- gations, of different characters against the city
 'srhis Act however. requires that a vote of the citizens be taken to ascer- tain whether or not it Is their desire that such course be pursued. This carried into effect would serve to put us on a. solid basis and enable us, in a great many respects, to better cope with certain financial conditions which now confront us. Once opt of debt, we should exercise everyt precaution and exert our best efforts to stay clear of that ever-living menace to a city's growth and prosperity.
 Progress in Paving.
 Another very active. sidewalk pay ing year has just closed. During the year there were laid eleven miles of sidewalks, within the city limits, and with this additional amount added to that already constructed, during pre- ceding years, we have forty-nine miles of sidewalk paving.
 These figures are significant of the rapid strides being made toward a larger and more beautiful city.
 The paving of streets. has not by any means been neglected, and great improvements have been made on our thorouahfares. The paving of Sayre Street, from Clayton Street to Jeffer- son Davis Avenue. with asphalt. has given to the people one of the most beautiful roadways of the city.
 .'The paying. with asphalt. of Hull Street, from Washington Avenue to SoutK Street, Is completed and has added another beautiful thoroughfare to our rapidly-increasing list.
 Contract has been let for the paving of Wilson street, from Cour' street to Sayre street, with asphalt This street will act as a connection be tween two already paved streets. ant is another link in the chain of pavet streets which is gradually encirelfnt the city.
 "Work will be begun on the paving of Caroline street, from Mildred stree to Clayton street, within the next few weeks. The mere fact that this street heretofore classed among those con signed to the use of negroes. is to b. paved with asphalt, has wrought remarkable change in the character o the residences Nhereon. Up-to-dat structures are being built for occu uancy by white people.
 s'The contract for paving Montgom cry street, from Moulton street q State street with bitulithic. has beel awarded. With this additional pavini on this street, probably the most heav ily travelled street of its kind in th' city will be transformed into sub stantial roadway, which will greatl! facilitate the handling of its tramc When the paving on these severa streets has been completed, the valu' of property abutting thereon VIII o' greatly enhanced
 "Six and thirty-five one hundredtt miles of sanitary sewers have beel constructed, and three and twelve one hundredth miles of storm water sew ers laid. This in addition to that al ready constructed gives us fifty ant fhirty-four one-hundredth miles o sanitary sewers, and thirty and seven ty-two one-hundredths of storm water sewers.
 Need for BuiIding Code.
 q would respectfully call your atten tion to the need of the adoption of ( building code, similar to those being used in other cities of our size, ane request that this recommendation b. given the consideration to which iti impoHtance entities 1t.