davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-20
System of Accounting.

the city charter should be determined by legal opinion.
 System of Accounting.
 Second-The System of Accounting
 Two systems of municipal accounting prevail in this country viz: Revenue and Expense" and Receipts and Disburse- ments." In the former revenue is cred- tied to the year in which accrued and ex- pense to the year in which incurred ir- respective of the time when collected or liquidated, while in the latter only money actually collected or paid out during the year is charged to that year. Probably 90 per cent of the cities of the United States keep their books on the latter system, and it is on this basis that the census bureau complies it's statistics of cities. When a city keeps it's bills paid mp promptly and collects the major portion of it's revenue during the year in which it accrues, the exhibit of it's operations will. under the receipt and disbursement method. differ but slightly from that under the revenue and expense system, except that no bal ance sheet of assets and liabilities show ing the gain or loss for the year appears as a result of the years business. That the proper recording on the ledger of all the city's property either real or personal and of it's liabilities, either bonded, float ing contingent, is not only desirable but necessary and that the balance sheet furnishes information of material value cannot be denied that the city may have the advantage of these records and this exhibit while still making it's report on the cash basis under the census classi- fications is the result we propose to ac- compllsh by the system we have installed. This is brought about by the use of two ledgers, one a cash ledger by funds the detail of which are shown in a Record of Receipts and Disbursements properly classified and arranged with suitable col umns for minor divisions of each class of revenue or expense. The totals of this record and ledger appear in detail in the annual report; the entries on this record and ledger are made daily. and it must be in balance at all times with the treas urer's cash.
 The general ledger contains all accounts of an asset or liability character and the temporary accounts of revenue and expense by departments or purposes the balancing medium being the ''The Mayor and Aldermen of Birmingham" the cor porate name of the city. We have not ~~~~~~~~~~.~~~
 CONTINUED ON PAGE 9o
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-20
CITY'S FINANCES SHOWN AT GLANCE UNDER NEW SYSTEM Beck Makes Report on Condi- tien and Submits Plan
 for Changes MOST IMPORTANT WORK
 DONE IN MANY YEARS Finds No Sign of Graft or Unfair Deal lngs, Although There Have Been
 Many Opportunities
 for Such.


 . The report of Howard c. Beck. ' ' the expert accountant, shows . ' among other things these inter- . ' esting facts > < Total assets. including proper . ' ty of city Of Birmingham, $5,140,- . . 493 9s. . ~ Excess of assets over liabilities, . ' $2,245. 26s 95 ' . Value of land, parks and build ' . ings. s2,O69,25O. Y . Total cost of pavements. side . ' walks and sewers, s2,442,O ,O00. . ' Financial condition of city = ' shows gain over preceding year. = ' Collections from liquor licenses < . year ending June 30, 1907, $101,- % . 775. Y . Total license collections for = . year ending June 30, 1907, s31O, + . sol 50. % . Total license from public ser Y ' vice corporations for year ending ' .. June 90, 1907, $50,750. ~ . Many errors found in records of . . plumbing and electrical depart < . ments. . Claims assistant city attorney z : has been paid $50 too much. . ' Years collections from police ' . court, 1,606 .15. ~ Makes important recommenda- % . tions relating to sinking fund. < Submits ordinance for installing . ' new system. .
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-20


 Perhaps the greatest work of the Ward administration was finished yesterday with the exhaustive and yet simple re- port of Howard A. Beck. the certified pub lie accountant, who has been working on the city books for the past four months. He has brought them out of state of chaos into the most modern and improved system, unequalled in the south, an im- provement on the famous system of De- troit and one which will be the model for the cities of the south for years.
 The importance of the work cannot be underestimated. Had it been postponed until after Greater Birmingham becomes a reality, it would have been nearly lm- possible of accomplishment. Whereas heretofore the treasury records have been almost impossible of comprehension, now they are exact and simple Heretofore the accounts of the various departments have been run slack, but the new system does away with any chance for neglect of duty, and makes them all work smoothly to- Gether While the auditor found several cases where officials, present or past, were due the city amounts less than $1OO, he remarks that he finds no sign of graft or unfair dealings, although there have been open opportunities.
 The whole book can be obtained on re- quest from Mayor Ward by letter. few of the most important parts are as fol- lows:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-20

fore the close of the current year, in ad- dition to what has been received this year.
 After January 1, 1908, the receipts from
 this source should be credited direct to
 the interest fund when collected, that fu-
 ture misuse of said moneys IAay be pre-
 vented.
 With the condition of the old accounts
 as above set forth, and in order to carry
 our your instructions to put everything
 in tirst-class shape, we disregarded all entries prior to January l, 1907, except such as were necessary to establish the true amount of cash in each fund. With this as foundation we started the new
 books as of January l, 1907, and they are now up to date under the new system, all entries since July l. 1907, having been made by the auditor himself
 Careful Work Necessary.
 While the financial condition of the city at the close of this yeats business will show some gain over the beginning of the year, it will still be such as to require most careful administration for some years to come. The general fund Gas now known) began the year with an oVerdraft of $lS,eH and in addition owed note issued for temporary purposes of S6000 making a total liability of $24,577. We have carefully estimated the expendi- lures for the remainder of the year, WHICH estlIndle, added To the DlllS or the year already paid and the liability noted makes total of $546,500. The total reve- nue for the year we estimate at $5260 900, showing a probable overdraft in the gen eral fund at the close of the fiscal year Of $20,50O. These estimates do not con- template any extraordinary expenses, nor any further appropriation for the Board of Education. It must be borne in mind however that the overdraft at the begin ming of the year was caused by setting aside to the sinking fund SIS, 662 .02; that during the first six months of the year $12, ,230. GIT was paid for additions to asset accounts and that $32, 373. 4S worth of notes, etc., will be paiu which were given for the purchase of parks, fire appara- tus, etc.
 The city purchased Magnolia park, Behrns park and the Highland avenue parks under contracts by which cer- tain amount is paid each year for re- newal of an option to purchase for other year, such payment being applied on the contract. Should the city, through oversight or otherwise, fail to make its payment and renew the option on the date named in the contract, under the terms of the contract, it would forfeit all previous payments and lose the prop erty. We think the city's interests would be much better protected were these op- tions all taken up by notes maturing at the same time as the contracts call for payments. The balance due on these op- tions July 1, 1907, was s1s.962. il. (See ex- hibit 51
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-20
Letter To the Mayor.

Birmingham, October T., 1907. Hon. George B. Ward, Mayor, City of
 Birmingham:
 Sir-In compliance with your instruc- tions I have the honor to submit the ac- companying report of my audit of the books of the city of Birmingham, and co lay before you a balance sheet of the citys property and liabilities on July 1, 1907. The balance sheet is accompanied with supporting schedules, and also eS- hibts of the transactions of the city for the first six months of the current fiscal year.
 We further submit description of the chief elements of tho system of account ing which we have installed. together with the amendments to the city code necessary to make effective and perma- nent the principles therein contained. A form of budget for annual appropriations, properly classified, but without figures, IS also included in the report
 The system df it may be so called) of bookkeeping in use in the auditors office in the past, was such ss to convey al most no information of value regarding the city's financial condition or transac- tions. Receipts and payments of different classes wereg rouped together in mean ingless accounts, and with few exceptions 1t was impossible to tell what was the actual cost of maintaining the different offices and departments or of carrying on different classes of public work.
 The division of the citys money into certain funds such as general fund. in terest fund, sinking fund and the various trust accounts, as required by the charter and code, had never been followed, and we found it necessary to taliulate nearly 5000 transactions to determine the true amount in the treasury July l, 1907, to the credit Of each fund.
 No Record of Bonds.
 No particulars regarding the citys out standing bonds were found in the audi tors records and we were obliged to make an examination of the minutes of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for the past 2l years and also of the town of Highlands, in order to secure the infor- nation found in Exhibit 40, which will be recorded in a permanent bond register in the auditors office. The examination regarding the bond issues was made sub- sequent to the computation regarding the sinking fund as shown In Exhibit 27, and revealed the fact that the rent of the stores in the city hall was pledged for the interest on the city hall bonds This money was not so used in 1905 or 1906, and the amount received in those two years should be placed in the interest fund be-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-20

the city charter should be determined by legal opinion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-20

CONTINUED ON PAGE e.1
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
STATE HELP FOR FONTANET?
Depends on What the DupOnts Will
DO-Death Roll Reduced-Dead
Discovered Alive.

Indianapolis. Oct. is. = Whether it
will be necessary for the people of the
state of Indiana to contribute in a
financial way towards the assistance
Of afflicted Fontanet will be decided
today when committee appointed by
Governor Hanly will visit Fontanet
and make thorough investigation.
While there the committee will meet
Fred Dupont. the head of the powder
company. who is expected at FoDtanet,
and ascertain what the company will
do.
The list of dead was reduced when
it was discovered that John Bobo, Geo.
Hodge, William Hodge, Frank Dial and
Mrs. Audrey Owsley (sister-in-law Of
Superintendent MOnahan) are living,
and Addison Webster and Samuel
Cothrell were taken off the dead roll
when they We're discovered seated on
Il coffin in front of the undertaking es-
Enlistment, but both undoubtedly
alive.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
WALLINGS ARE RELEASED
With Miss Strunsky They Are Set Free
by the Russian Officials, and No
Conditions Attached.

st. Petersburg, Oct. %. - William
English Walling. Of Indianapolis, his
wife, and his wife's sister, Rose Strun-
sky, who were arrested and taken to
Jail Sunday night because of their as
ISOLATION with members of the Finnish
progressive party, have beenareleased.
The police found nothing among the
papers Of the trio to warrant OBTAINING
them. No conditions are attached to
the release, but Mr.. and Mrs. Waliing
and Miss Strunsky intend to leave st.
Petersburg tomorrow.
They say they have practically fin
ished their work in Russia. All their
papers aud manuscripts have been re-
stored to them. The officials expressed
regret ut the arrest, which they say
was ordered upon the report of an
over-zealous spy who had beeli sbad-
owing the Finnish revolutionists with
whom the Wallings had been associ-
ated.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
SOME CAUSES AND FACTS
Why Otto Heinze Suspended-Says He
Is Perfectly Solvent.

Why Otto Heinze Suspended-Says He
Is Perfectly Solvent.
The suspension of Otto Heinze &
Co., of which firm Max M. Schultze is
the Stock Exchange member, was
based on a complaint to the exchange
made by Gross & Kleeberg, Stock
Exchange firm which failed Wednes-
day. This firm charges Otto Heinze
& Co. with refusing to accept 1902
shares of United Copper, said to have
been bought on the order of the Heinze
firm. This action, Gross & Kleeberg
state, was responsible for their failure.
The HeinZe firm announced that it is
perfectly solvent, and that all it's legal
obligations will be met-the Gross &
Kleeberg claim being believed, it
seems. by HeinZe not to be legal.
The resignation of r. Augustus
Heinze from thepresidency of the Mer-
camille National bank. it is said, was
decided on at a midnight meeting.
HeinZe gave out a statement in which
he said that his resignation was due
to the fact that he wished to devote
all of his time to Strengthening out the
business of his brothers firm. William
B. Ridgely at present United States
comptroller of the currency, has been
rendered the office of president of the
Mercantile National but has not vet
decided whether or not he will ac-
cept.
The low price of refined copper.
which has dropped even lower, and
the disOrganized condition of that met
a. in the market is the. reason given
for the reduction of the dividend in
the copper companies.
The failure of the Hamburg firm and
the Butte bank both followed closely
on the news of the suspension of the
HeinZe firm ON the Stock Exchange
The German firm is said to have lost
heavily in the recent drop in copper,
but Hamburg dispatch says the chief
reason of the difficulties of the firm
is in mining deals in Europe entirely
disconnected with any business in the
United States. The firms liabilities
are reported at S7,50O,0OO while the
capital back of the firm is S2,25O,O0O
The firm is seventy-seven years old
Recently an old member of the firm
died and younger and more "aggres-
sive' men assumed control.
The Butte bank was largely con-
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
His Dear Old Mother

My dear old mother, who is now
eighty three years old, thrives on Elec-
trio Bitters," writes W. B. Brunson of
Dublin, Ga. "She has taken them for
about two years and enjoys an excellent
appetite, feels strong and sleeps WE'LL"
That's the way Electric Bitters affect
the aged, and the same happy results
follow in all cases of female weakness
and general debility. Weak, puny chill
dren too, are greatly strengthened by
them. Guaranteed also for stomach,
liver and kidney troubles, by w. G. At
we'll, drugs list. SOC.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
Racing Balloons Are Scattered.

st. Louis, Mo-, Oct. apparently
scattered to nearly every point of the
compass by variable winds, the nine
balloons competing in the second in
ternational aeronautic cup race, which
started from here, were reported far
to the northeast and also far to tho
west of st. Louis, while one is even
said to be travelling over Tennessee,
far to the south. Several of the bal
looms were in the vicinity, of the great
lakes, especially Michigan, while four
others were sighted late in the day in
the vicinity of st. Joseph. Mo.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
Rice In the Salt,

There is no denying the fact that
salt will not run out of a shaker in
humid weather. 1t is very clever
mineral; knows enough to stay in
when it rains. There is no better ba-
rometer. The best thing ever known
to cause the salt to run is rice. Heat
a teaspoonful of rice on the stove and
put it in the salt shaker with the salt.
The hot rice quickly absorbs all the
moisture and the salt issues forth as
dry as the sands of the desert Twen-
ty grains of rice are sufficient for a
small shaker. Although it has only
pinholes in the top, the salt will not
pack in the most humid weather.-New
York Press.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
A Peripatetic Investment.

When the scallop is full grown it is
able to swim with great rapidity by
opening and closing the valves of its
shell. This curious fact, says What to
Eat, was unknown to an unfortunate
Frenchman who undertook few years
ago to establish scallop plantation
on a quiet New England beach. He
deposited several thousand scallops in
shallow water, expecting them to
breed, but when he looked for them
the next day all of them had fed.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
Hard Times in Kansas

The old days of grasshoppers and
drouth are almost forgotten 10 the pros
porous Kansas of today; although citi-
zen Of Codell Earl Sham burg, has not
yet forgotten hard time he encounter
ed. He says: Il was worn out and dis
couraged by coughing night and day,
and could find no relief till | tried DIR.
Kings New Discovery. 1t took less than
one bottle to completely cure me-" The
safest and most reliable cough and cold
cure and lung and throat healer ever
discovered. Guaranteed by w. G.. At
well drug store Soc and 81 90. Trial
bottle free.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
The Modern Way.

"Will you have this here woman to
be your lawful welded WifeE
That's what lowed | would"
''Will you love, honor and obey her?'
"Ain't you got that switched around
parsOn?" said the bridegroom.
john said the bride elect, don't
you reckon the parsOn knows his BUSH
ness? Answer the question:
yes, sir,' said the bridegroom meek
ly. II reckon I'll have to."-Atlanta
Constitution.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
List of the Sensations.

The firm of otto Heinze & Co. was
suspended on the Stock Exchange. +.
Augustus HeinZe, the Butte copper
magate, resigned the presidency Of the
Mercantile National bank, Of New
York. The Amalgamated Copper COM
pany at it's directors meeting cut it's
quarterly dividend from per cent. to
1 per cent The directors of the Bos.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
Henry n. Jones of Tampa. Fla. writ

Henry E. Jones of Tampa. Fla, writes:
81 can thank God for my present health.
due to Foley's Kidney Cure. tried
doctors and all kinds of kidney cures,
but nothing did me much good till |
took Foley's Kidney Cure Four bottles
cured me, and l have no more pain ia
my back ond shoulders. I am 81 years
old, and suffered long, but thanks to
Foley's Kidney Cure am we'll and can
enjoy myself 1t is pleasure to those
needing a kidney medicine. w. G.. At
WELL
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
Train Hits Handcar; Three Dead.

Versailles, O., Oct. 22.-Big -Four
train No. Sc struck a handcar in
which were nineteen Greek laborers
killing three and injuring five of the
others. The train was Immediately
stopped to care for the injured, where
upon the uninjured Greeks attacked
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25

ln most cases consumption results
from a neglected or improperly treated
cold. Foley's Honey and Tar cures the
most obstinate coughs and prevents So
rious results. 1t costs you no more than
the unknown preparations and you
should insist upon having the genuine
the yellow packages. W. G. Atwell
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
Root Returns to washington.

Washington, Oct. 21.-Secretary
Root. Mrs. Root and Miss Root have
returned to Washington from their
visit to Mexico. The secretary was
looking particularly well and went di
rectly to his home, expecting to take
up his official duties later in the day.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25

No home is so pleasant, regardless of
the comforts that money will buy. as
when the entire family is 10 perfect
health. 4 bottle of Orino Laxative Fruit
Syrup costs SO cents. 1t will cure every
member of the family of constipation,
sick headache or stomach trouble.-W.
G.. Atwel.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
A Criminal Attack

on an inoffensive citizen is frequently
made in that apparently useless little
tube called the "appendix." It's gener-
ally the result Of protracted constipa-
ton, following liver torpor. Dr.. King
New Life Pills regulate the liver, pre-
vent appendicitis, and esta blish regular
habits of the bowels Csc at w. C At
well drug store.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
Run on New York Bank.

New York, Oct. 22.-There was a
run of depositors to withdraw money
at the main office of the Knickerbocker
Trust company when it opened for
business, and also at the branch Of
fees Of the company at 66 Broadway
and in One Hundred and Twenty
Fifth street
The Knickerbocker Trust company
stopped paying money to depositors at
1870. the statement being made that
the company could not obtain currency
rapidly enough. Second Vice Presi-
dent Brown. of the Knickerbocker
Trust company, in announcing that the
company had stopped payments to de
poSitors, said:
'"The trust company finds that it will
be impossible to pay any more checks
today on account Of the company's in
ability to get sufficient currency. The
trust company is perfectly solvent
and may resume payment tomorrow"
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
A Gard

This is to certify that all druggists are
authorized to refund your money if Fo-
ley's Honey and Tar fails to cure your
cough or cold. Cures la grippe cough
and prevents pneumonia and consump-
ton. Contains no opiates The gen
uine is in yellow package Refuse sus,-
stitutes.-W. G. Atwel.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
Notice to Our Customers

We are pleased to announce that Fo-
ley's Honey and Tar for coughs, colds
and lung troubles is not affected by the
National Pure Food and Drug law as il
contains 20 opiates or other harmful
drugs. and we recommend it as a safe
remedy for children and adults.-W G..
AtWell.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
Timed Tonque.

Are you studying Esperanto, Mr..
Idiot?" asked the linguist
II am not" said the idiot 81 can
talk too much.in English if I want to-"
at is very fine language said the
linguist-"condensed, concise and east
~ acquired"
"No doubt" said the idiot. ''But I
don't care for potted tongue" Broad
way Magazine.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
Literary Exercises,

Wife (scornfully)-Oh, I've no doubt
you were at your literary club reciting
poetry till this hour of the night. And,
pray, what were you reciting? Hus-
band Teminiscently)-I think wash
something bout "Chips That Pash In
the Night baltimore American.
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
Four Drowned in the Illinois River.

st. Louis. Oct. 1S.-Four men were
drowned in the Illinois river, six miles
below Hardin, Calhoun county, ILL.,, by
the overturning of gasoline launch.
The dead are: Harvey Angel, liver
man: 6. d. BiZillian, farmer: Jeff
Hunt, riverman: J. c. Lammy, saloon
keoDer
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
His CIeVerneSS.

Don't be so lazy. There's plenty of
room at the top, and you're clever
enough to get there
But" replied the lazy genius,
"think how clever it is of me to find
place at the bottom, where there isn't
so much ROOM"
The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1907-10-25
Her Note Was Final.

The proprietor of a large drug store
recently received this curt and naughty
note written in an angular feminine
hand: 81 do not want vasioline, but
glisserine. Is that plain enough? 1
persoom you can SPELL"