The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-09
Of 18.2 Miles Now Laid None Has Been Built in
 Six Years
S400,000 BOND ISSUE
 MEANS MUCH TO CITY
Mayor Ward Believes the Issue Will Surely Carry If the Eyes of the Citizens Are Opened to
 Its Importance.

On the 16th of September the people of Birmingham are to vote upon a proposi- tion to issue s4Oo.OoO bonds for the pur- pose of constructing storm sewers.
 The proposition is one which should be fully understood by every taxpayer and voter" said Mayor Ward yesterday. within the past six years nothing of im- portance has been done along this line, and the open ditches and gullies are blot upon tho otherwise fair map of the city. They are not only ugly, but waste full and not conducive to perfect health. Wasteful because they are washing away valuable lands, breeders of ill-health be- cause they open wide the accumulation and exposition of filth. Something must be done and that quickly.
 Tt may surprise the casual observer to be informed that Birmingham has only 1S.2-10 miles of storm sewers, some of which has been constructed within the past six years. In other words the city has for six years been at a dead stand still this most important proposition; and the reasons therefor are plain: First. on account of a 5doubt as to the actual enhancement of values of property thus benefited. Second. because of repeated unsuccessful litigation of claims of this kind by the city.
 None Built for Six Years.
 Tt Is fairly estimated that 1t will cost sSO0O0O to furnish all necessary storm sewerage for the city, and this means to
 
 years to come. One-half this amount can be assessed against property directly bene- fitted, the other half must be afforded by direct taxation or by tho credit of the city.
 Tt Is not the purpose of the city to issue all these bonds immediately, but 1t is estimated that not exceeding s1OOoO will be issued each year. It Is unneces- sary to repeat that the general fund. or general income of the city cannot pay this amount, and that the administration must apply It's credit to carry out the proposi- ton.
 While it is true that Birmingham has a city tax rate of s1 per hundred of as sessed values taken from the county books of the preceding year, only 50 cents of this amount Is available for any other than fixed charges and bond paying pur- poses. The other $50 of course goes to general purposes
 If for instance the assessed values in Birmingham should double one-half the increase would go to interpest-paylng and to the establishment of a sinking fund to pay the principal of the bonded debt. The Birmingham amendment" meant simply that and nothing more. It was movement to strengthen or to maintain the credit of the city and 1t has done so.
 Will Safeguard the Funds.
 "Of one thing there is a certainty, and that is that the city administration will perfectly safeguard the fund arising from the sale of these bonds; will put all proper restrictions around the proposition; i; apply the proceeds of the sale to the purposes for which 1t is proposed; allow no favoritism to any one section of the city, and greatly enhance the value of property benefited thereby adding to taxable values to such a degree as to make certain a quid pro quo for every dollar expended.
 'The bond proposition will surely carry if the people will open their eyes to the importance thereof