The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-28
ANNUAL REPORT ON ENSLEY AFFAIRS Fine Showing Made In Face of
 Conditions S20OO TOTAL FIRE LOSS Careful Analysis Made of Work Done In Each City Department Dur
 ing the Past Fiscal

report of the city of Ensley for the year ending February 2S was received from the publishers today, and shows a most suc- cessful administration of all depart ments of the city government On ac- count of the great loss of revenue caused by prohibition, and the financial strin- gency, the period covered by this report has, from many standpoints, probably been the most trying since the early days of the city government. That all diffi- culties and contingencies of every char acter have been met and overcome as they have arisen has been due largely to the wisdom, prudence and foresight of Mayor Sugg and the board of alder men.
 The report shows that the business de- pression was more keenly felt during the year just closed than during the previ- ous one, the result being a considerable decrease in building operations and general falling off in all lines of busi- ness
 The number of buildings erected in the city, as shown by permits issued, was 156, at a valuation of $2OOOO0, as com pared with 242, at a valuation of S2S4 000 for 1907. This will give some idea of the depression which was mentioned in the report.
 The Mayor comments at some length in the report upon the wonderful im- provement in moral conditions during the past year. As shown by actual fig ures, drunkenness and the resulting number of arrests have been largely reduced, and there seems to be more gen. +;-Fa tf1,, fl,a the status of affairs The report also states that serious accidents in tbe steel plant and blast furnaces have been re- duced by probably one-haf. These ben efiSial results are attributed by the May or principally to the abolition of the le- galized sale offntoxicating liquors.
 Mayor Sugg in his report indicates that within short time all industries will be in steady operation and that Ensley shall again be favored with great prosperity. The Mayor calls special attention to the fact that although clothed with the veto power by the new municipal code. he has never deemed it necessary to use it.
 In considering the financial end of the report 1t should be borne in mind that the period covered Is only Il months on account of the fact that the last auditor report extended into the past fiscal year.
 A comparison of the financial report of the past year with the previous one shows an Increase of nearly $10.000 In real and personal taxes and a decrease of about the same amount in fines and forfeitures. The increase in the former item is attributed to an increase in prop erty values and higher assessments while prohibition is responsible for the de- crease in fines and folfeitures.
 Much credit is due the finance com mittee for the careful manner in which the city's finances have been admins tered during the past year. The report calls attention to the excellent public schol system, which is furnished the peo- pie without cost and points out the many improvements which have been made under the able leadership of Super intendent Baker. An outline is given of the improvements in the line of new buildings which are to be made at an early date.
 The report on the police department is very gratifying, showing that although the force has been reduced on account of the shortness of funds, there has been no let-up in the war on law violators and Chief Jordan and the members of the force are to be congratulated upon the excellent record made.
 The treasurer's report shows the total receipts to have been sit3 070.52 and tho total disbursements s11097S.9s. For schools the receipts were $22,S43.74, of which amount s22S40.37 has been spent
 The fire department has made a re- markable record during the past II months, the total actual loss of build ings and contents being only s2D00
 M H. Mcdowell chairnan of the ju- liciary committee, calls attention to Ine annexation of Vivian, ShadXside and Fairview. which added about 5000 good citizens to Ensley Special attention is called to the great assistance which has been rendered the Mayor and the other officials of the city by City Attorney Fred Moore.
 The report as a whole shows every de- partment to be in excellent hands, and the people are to be congratulated upon the excellent manner in which the citys affairs are being conducted.
 Light Docket.
 very light docket faced Mayor Sugg