The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-02
MAYOR WARD SUBMITS HIS
 ANNUAL MESSAGE TO COUNCIL

Mayor George B. Ward, who retires from office during the coming week, has completed his annual message to the council and in it he makes some import ant recommendations It is also a sum mary of the city's affairs the past four years. The message in full is as follows: To the Honorable, the City Council of Birmingham
 Gentlemen: It will be gratifying to know that the city of Birmingham is to- day in better condition financially, as well as in every other way, than at any time in its history.
 It may also be matter of surprise.
 The Year 1908.
 At the beginning of the year 1908 the prohibition law went into effect. Owing to the loss of liquor licenses thereby, amounting to S125,000 great anxiety was felt for the immediate future
 In the Mayors annual report. submitted at that time, was the following
 There is no cause for alarm over the year 1908 The financial problems pend ing should be handled with as little an noyance to the public as possible
 Neither should your municipal macnn- cry be stopped or impaired. One of the functions of government is to stand be- tween the people and all inconveniences that might come rom sudden cnaISes III the laws or from temporary embarrass- ments, at least until the lapse of time al- lows a change for readjustment.'
 Therefore it is recommended that your approaching deficit be overcome by a temporary loan.
 That part of the deficit caused by the postponenent of tax collections from Sep- tember to December will, of course. be taken care of when those taxes come ln That part of it caused by loss of liquor licenses will be overcome to some extent by the natural increase of taxes and li- censes. How much this gain will amount to cannot be stated. However, in order to overcome this deficit and retire your temporary loan, expenses must be held around present figures. In that way only can the increase of receipts be effective in restoring wour financial equilibrium.
 Temporary Loan.
 Fortunately this policy was adopted and adhered to- A temporary loan of $l75,0OO was made in New York city. This was promptly paid and retired early in 1909 together with every other indebtedness of the city that was due. There then re- mained cash balance large enough to finance the government well into the con- ing May. In all other respects the opera tions for the year 1908 were uneventful. Each of your departments quietly and systematically carried on it's usual func- ton.
 Striking Feature.
 The striking feature of this situation is that the heavy prohibition loss was unex- pectedly overcome during the first year, despite the fact that nearly every depart nent sbroadened out and increased it's cost. while many extraordinary expenses amounting to about S79,000, at the same time were met.
 The Future.
 Resides receiving congratulations for your wise management of pending crisis and for carrying the government through a memorable year without disturbing the people, your honorable body can now take a roseate view of the future.
 For in December next will accrue to the city the large raises on real estate made by the state tax commission in 1907. They will increase your receipts approximately sSO.000 or $10O,000.
 In addition you will collect from East Birmingham and Mountain Terrace ter