The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-08-07
ANNUAL MESSAGE OF MAYOR
Continued from Page One)

Id;ct for YOU a very busy year; there
fore let US redouble our efforts for ad-
vancement and improvement and at
!. the same time guard our finances so
that we can place the city on a cash
basis if possible in the near future.
Committees Appointed.
\ In naming the various committees l
teemen where 1 believe they are best
) suited and trust that you will be able
to work in harmony for the best in
terests of the city. The choice l have
made is as follows:
Finance committee-W. P. Mexican.
J. A. Durham, Alfred Bachtold.
Streets and public improvements
committee-Eugene Tausick. w. p.
Mexican, C. H. Whiteman.
Judiciary and legislative committee
Alfred Bachtold, ]. G. Bridges, John F.
Stack.
Fire department committee. G.
Bridges. John F. Stack, c. H. White
man.
Street lights committee-C. H.
Whiteman, Eugene Tausick, j. A.
Durham.
Water department committee-John
F. Stack, w. P. Mexican, J. G. Bridges.
Cemetery committee. A. Durham
Eugene Tausick, w. P. Mexican.
| would recommend that the various
committees secure complete list OF
the proposed expenses of their various
departments at once and that they
work with the idea of giving the best
possible service in each department, at
the same time keeping the expenses
within the levy made for their depart
ments.
Finance.
AS the financial condition of the city
is fully shown in the report of the
city clerk for the fiscal year ending
June 80, it will be unnecessary to en-
ter into it here The improvements of
the past few years have drawn so
heavily upon the treasury that it is
not in as good condition as l would
like to see it at this time. On ac-
count of the rapid growth of the city
the expenses for the coming year will
necessarily be large, therefore, it will
be necessary to guard the expenses ir
every department and see that we get
value received for every dollar ex-
pended.
Judiciary.
Under this head l wish to call your
attention to the system of bookkeep-
ing now in use, and recommended that
a new and modern system be adopted
that will simplify the work and give
us better check upon the different
departments both singly and collective
lIy l would suggest that you have the
books exported to the end of the fiscal
year. l believe we owe this duty to
the officers in charge of the various
departments as we'll as to every tax
payer in the city. Owing to the anti
Quated charter under which we are
working there are a good many things
tthat cannot be improved, yet I Ca.
see no way of making a change in our
charter at the present time.
Streets and Public Improvements.
This is a very important subject and
should receive your closest attention,
While you can congratulate our citi-
zens upon having paved most of the
business streets and some of the resi-
dence streets, there is till a number
of thOroughfares that should be paved
if any plan can be devised to carry or.
the work. With the postOffice in its
present location. Second street should
be paved at least to Birch street, and
We should redeem the pledge of a for
mer administration and place West
Main, Twelfth and West Rose streets
in proper condition to connect with
the macadamiZed road west of the
city. With the road machinery we
now have and by using the rock from
Mill creek, 1 believe we can build
beautiful and substantial residence
streets at an expense that any prop
erty owner will be glad to stand, and
as fast as We are able to get streets
in good condition you should use your
influence to have the property owners
abandon the wooden sidewalks AMI
lay good, substantial concrete
l will also call your attention to the
office of building inspector and recon-
mend that you abolish this office and
have the fire chief attend to the du-
ties pertaining to this position. This
would mean a saving to the city of
$4,000 per year, and 1 feel convince
that the fire chief has the time AM
the ability to fill this position.
Health ond Police.
! Upon this department devolves 8
great responsibility, in order to keeI
our city in the front rank of the cities
of the northwest. The health of the
citizens must be one of the first con-
siderations. Streets and alleys should
be kept as clean as possible and moth
ing that will endanger the health OF
the city should be allowed to accumu.
late in any quarter.
Walla Walla has heen and aluaye