The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-20

partments. no recommendations are in- cluded in the message.
 Message in Full. The message in full foilows; Montgomery, Ala, October le. 1908. To the Honorable City Council of Montgomery.
 Gentlemen:--
 h accordance with the provisions of the laws of the City of Montgomery, I herewith hand you for your careful departments of the citv Government for the fiscal year ending September 90, 1908. with the following comments and recommendations relative to the sme.
 owing to the illness of the City Clcrk the report of this officer has lot been received, and the Treasurers Re- port being dependent upon this report in q lagre measure has not been com pteted. For these reasons the com ments and recommendations of the executive along the lines of the Ft- nances of the city will be deferred un- til the next regular meeting of yodr
 Engiaeerins Department.
 This department has been engaged In work of a permanent nature. and which is of great importance to the civic development of the city; Ine department has been handled and exe- cuted in a manner entirely satisfact- ory from every standpoint. The engi- neer has been untiring in his endeavors to see that all work entrusted to him was performed in an expeditions and efficient manner. The excellent assist ance rendered him by his subordlnates has greatly facilitated the work or the department. and as shown by his le- port, many matters have come peioEe 1t for care and attention. The years work has been character ized by activities in building opera tions. Despite the financial stringen- press their faith in the growth Of our city and its prosperity. by the actual investment of their money in the same. Our residential sections are rapidly be- ing filled with new residences or a beautiful and substantial character.
 The paving of sidewalks has been actively engaged in. The work com pleted during the year, in addition to that done in previous years. gives us fifty-nine miles of sidewalk paving. It is generally. conceded by those who are familiar with such things, that our city has more sidewalk paving within Its limits than any other city its size in this country. We should, Indeed, feel proud of this distinction. sThe quality of the work is the best.
 Street paving has also received the attention of our city. During the year, several of the principal streets have been rendered beautiful and more sery- iceabie through this means. The pay ing of Hull Street, from South Street to Fielder Avenue, with asphalt, will prove of great advantage to the southern por- pavement which is unsurpassed for utility and appearance, as well as a means of enhancing the value of prop. erty in South Montgomery. This street now ranks among the most beautifut Street, from Sayre Street to Court Street. has been paved with asphalt. aa has Caroline Street from Clayton Street to Mildred Street.
 The paving of Montgomery Street. from Moulton Street to Goldthwaits Street. with bitulithic, has been com. pieted, thus putting an e6ectual end to the problem of continual washes heretofore occasioned by reason of the heavy grade of this street.
 Goidthwaite Street. from Clayton Street to Mildred Street. has been paved with asphalt. which serves as connec- tion between two paved streets lead- ing into the business district Of the city
 Contracts have been let for the paw ing of Wilkerson Street from Bibb to Clayton Street. and for Jefferson Davis Avenue from Court to Goode Street. number of streets have been graveled either in part or entirety, and are in good condition.
 Six concrete bridges have been con- structed over Gepetta Ditch, and the unsightiy wooden bridges at these points removed. The wooden bridge over Cypress Pond Ditch on the Lower Wetumpka Road had been done away with and a concrete bridge substituted.
 The total length of storm water sew CTS built by both the city forces and by contract during the year is 3.23 miles. Eight miles of curbing was set during the year and seven miles of sur- face sewers laid.
 The attention of the Council is again directed to the need of a building code The present laws regulating building in the city should be gone over and amended so as to meet the require. ments of modern architecture and con- struction.
 The volume of work done by this de. partment precludes the possibility of a detailed reference to the same in this message. and you are invited to give this excellent report careful attention and consideration.
 The work of the Superintendent of Streets, under the direction of the City Engineer, has been conducted in a sat l isfactory manner and the attention of l your honorable body is called to the | report of the same.