The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-20
City Affairs In Better Shape
 Than Ever
SUGG PRESENTS FIGURES
Home Occupied By F. c. Kelley Near Palmer Terrace Is Destroyed By Fire-Personal and General
 News of Ensley.

F. Sugg submitted his annual report TO the City Council. which met last night at the city hall. Those present were Mayor Sugg, Aldermen P. J. Rogers John Morrison. M. H. Mcdowell, J. W. Brigman, J. F. Culpepper, George R. By rum and J. A. Dupuy. Mayor Sugg' s re- port is a most interesting document, showing the progress made by the city during the past year. The report points to the fact that the past year has been the most prosperous in the history of the city and that notwithstanding the gem eral business depression 1t is the bright est spot industrially in the whole south. It shows that during the fiscal year PAP building permits were issued for the con- struction of buildings, aggregating in value $2S4092, most of them dwelling houses.
 The census taken under the state laws shows a population within the corporate limits of 105O0 souls. These figures do not include about 800 people who live in territory which is really a part of the city. A tootal income from all sources of $217, ,S59. 35 is shown, which includes bond issue. The treasurers report will show great increases during the past year over previous years. The following amounts were received from the chief sources of municipal revenue:
 Fine and forfeitures ...............$ 6,63S. .93 Street tax ........,..........'.....' z,ff4.oo Real and personal property tax. FOLLY
 Total .......................... .$n .094. 60 Total income from all sources
 carried to the general fund. .... .$S4,691. 50 Total disbursements from this
 fund .......................... B, As. .22
 Balance to credit of general
 fund m ............. ..... ....$11 ,273 .3S
 In this total of expenditures Is in- cluded the sum of $5777 1T. debts brought over from the former administration. The street work done has been the kind to build permanent streets. rather than patch work requiring the same expendi- lures year ofter year. Fifty blocks of streets have been built in a substantial and permanent way and a conservative estimate shows that this work has been done 40 per cent cheaper than formerly. Fourteen blocks of bitulithic pavement were laid. About five miles of side walk were constructed previous to last year and from the founding of the city about 111s miles in all had been laid.
 The mayor recommended that a sewer age system be laid in the Fifth ward. The report shows that the general health of the city has been very good that the whole territory is well lighted and that since closing the saloons the police force has been reduced one-halt.
 The mayor calls special attention to the faithful manner in which the various of ficials have discharged their duties and the harmony and good will which has prevailed among them.
 Mayor Suggs report was received with much satisfaction on the part of the al- dermen and citizens present. Since as- suming his office he has devoted his whole time to the affairs of the city and many desirable reforms which he has in- troduced have received the warmest con gratulations of the people of Ensley.
 Chief of Police Merriman report made a fine showing. During the .ear there were 962S arrests made. fines and costs imposed $24,427, pound fees $50, making a total of S24, ,457
 Amount paid into city treasury. .$17 ,S14 TO TotaI expense of police force .... 10,372 %
 Balansce =. ..... .. ............$ TAI. .75 Amount by work of prisoners on
 on the street ..................$ All. 10 Total jail expenses ................. 3,039. 5
 1
 .S.I iI.t0 Total net proceeds over all ex-
 penditures ......... ......... ......$ 9,ll3. 90
 The chiefs report showed many inter- esting features and included several rec concentrations.
 The report of Fire Chief Tetlow also showed some interesting figures. The value of equipment and appliance s1s,247. A detailed report of each fire was made showing a total fire loss of sl5,7s3, which was covered by $1400O of insurance, leav- ing the actuai loss by fire of $l1S3 This is a remarkable showing and speaks well for the efficiency of the well equipped department
 The chairmen of the various commit tees submitted reports of the work of their committees during the past year, all of which showed faithful and effective work on the part of the committees. The finance committee was not ready to report as the auditor had not finished his work. Altogether the various reports were very gratifying and tended to show the splendid financial condition of the city. They also show that the present ad- minstration have by their faithful and