The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-20

been served on the executive department by the county health officer that the city must provide some way to dispose of the matter referred to, to continue dump ing this refuse at the point now used will endanger the health of the residents of the thicxly settled section contiguous to the present dumping ground.
 Adjoining the 40 acres now owned by the city lie IS acres through which the main county sewer runs The acquisition by the city of this plot of land would solve this vexatious problem and enable the street department to easily care for the collections from the dry earth closets of those two new wards, through the medium of the main sewer.
 l therefore respectfully recommend the purchase of this IS acres.
 Schools.
 Under the municipal code there is no direct connection between the mayor and the Board of Aldermen and the school board as was the case under former laws when the mayor was a member of tha board and ex-officio vice president there of am pleased to report, however, that the school board has unanimously ex- tended an invitation to the mayor to be present at all meetings of that body to
 
 the economical carrying out of the pro- posed expenditure of the large sum of money contemplated in the erection of several school buildings in the near fu- ture. | After a careful examination of the lot owned by the city at East Birmingham upon which 1t Is proposed to erect the school house for ward No. Il, I find that 1t Is not of sufficient size to commodate the building which 1t is pro- posed to erect thereon. Unfortunately, the property is divided, there being one 50-foot intervening. There two other small parcels of land which, if pur- chased, will convey ground enough to cover the place for the building and spacious playground for the children. I hereby submit sketch of the entire plot and recommend the purchase of the lots.
 Duties of the Mayor.
 Under the provisions of the municipal code the mayor is simply an executive officer with the prerogative of veto power. AS such hold that he has much greater field for effective work than was for merly allotted to him. To effectively car ry out and put in operation his power for good his duties should bring him in close touch with his fellow citizens, es- i places of business their homes, and on the streets. He should keep in touch with them in order that he may be the bet ter prepared to examine causes of com plaint right on the spot complained of, thereby gaining a better knowledge of the subject and the best way to rem edy the trouble, holding the officer di- 1ecty in charge responsible for failure 1 to remedy the cause of complaint. l do not think the mayor should take it for granted that the various officers for whom he is held responsible are doing their full measure of duty to the city He should have ocular demonstrations of the fact.
 I hope you will pardon me for taking so much of your valuable time tonight by the introduction of this message and to say to you that later on, when will be given an opportunity by your honorable body to advise with you IS to the speediest and best method to put matters financial in good shape, we will find no difficulty in arriving at a solution of the problem, and l feel confident that we will have that kind consideration for each other out of which will come much good for the city we all love.
 Exhibit of Citys Finances By the City
 Auditor.
 i On May 1, 1909 the city's cash
 on hand amounted to ......... .$2S5, ,491 .31 | Distributed as follows:
 General fund and interest fund ..$ 30,392.A | Oty treasurer .................... l,oOO.00 | Sinking fund .............,......... 4.U4S4 1 Avondale sanitary sewer fund 5.595.27 i Sundry trust funds ............... 934, 75 Public improvement bond fund 17l,s3S 10 l The sewer bond fund ............. S4,552. 73 s2ss.5Ss .5o 1 Less overdraf Board of Educa- | tion fund .................... 4,097 .19
 Total ........ ......... ......... .$295. .491. .31 1 Deposited as follows:
 l First National bank ............$ 40, ,O0O. .00 l Birmingham Trust and Savings 1 Go. .......................... .... 4,774.S4 | Peoples Savings Bank and Trust Co. ........ ......... ............ 49, ,216. AZ 1 City treasurer .................... 1,500. .00
 Total .......................... s295, ,491. .31
 BONDED INDEBTEDNESS. General city bonds
 | Amount outstanding, including | town of Avondale ........... .$2, ,4S9, ,OO0 OO Additional sewer bonds sold | but not issued ................ 30O OO0 % | Additional school bonds of
 which $150.00O have been sold,
 but none issued .............. 350,0OO. .00
 Total bonded indebtedness outstanding and author l 1Zed $3 139, GOO 000 l CITY PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT BONDS. l $295, ,000.
 These latter bonds are payable from the l proceeds of collection of assessments for public Improvements and are not con sidered as indebtedness of the city proper.
 FLOATING INDEBTEDNESS. Payable out of the general fund. Bills payable for the purchase of real estate.