The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-02
BESSEMER FACES
 SERIOUS DEFICIT The Auditor Says Dispensary Would Solve Problem REPORTS TO COUNCIL McNutt Points Out That the City Will Fall Behind From s2O,00O to $25,-
 900 in Spite of Closest
 Economy
REPORTS TO COUNCIL

Bessemer, November 1.-(Special.)-"I people would swear to the truth in as- sessing their property you would have enough. But as you cannot reform the entire county in this respect, 1t is use less to mention it. Under and contingent upon change in our statutory laws you could operate dispensary and not only meet expenses but accumulate a sur plus"
 These words were used by Auditor H. M. McNutt in his report to the Bessemer city council in reference to the $25, ,0OO deficit in the financial condition of the city.
 Auditor McNutt has just completed an audit of the city books of Bessemer from February 1. 1909, to September 30, 1910, and presented his report to the council. at tine meeting held tonight.
 The report in part is as follows:
 Comparative statements of receipts and disbursements:
 This exhibit was made so that you might see clearly your probable income for the ensuing year, comparing 1t with 1909 and also your necessary expenditures flor the year. You will see that you are very sure to fall behind about s20,OO0 to s25,000 Ill spite of the closest economy. In fact, if by any means you might cur tall your expense at least lU per cent in every department you would still show a deficit. The difficulty in the manage ment of young, growing and ambitious town, with broad and expensive streets. and where all improvements must be put in within a short period of time, is very great. and you find yourself confronted by. a problem which is not easy of solu- ton. If people would swear to the truth in assessing their property you would have enough. But as you cannot reform the entire county in this respect 1t is useless to mention 1t. Under and con- tingent upon change in our statutory laws you could operate dispensary and not only meet expenses but accumulate a surplus.
 You have a net floating debt of s62.- 3SS. .64. which can only be met by an issue of bonds which would reduce your inter est rate vary materially. Much of this debt was incurred with the understanding that it would be covered by a bond issue which the city has right under the law to make
 City Officials
 "I have checked with great care all stub receipts and vouchers, as well as every item on the ledger adding and verifying all figures everywhere. I must say that what I have found to criticise is so small and mmaterial as to be of no interest to you or to the public Your city clerk and treasurer. MT. Houston, has been as conscientious. painstaklng and faithful in every detail as you or any other admin istration could desire. There is not a receipt anywhere cancelled or made void or useless by printers error or otherwise, that Is not properly shown and account ed for.
 '"The same can be said of the work of Mr. T. F. Primer, whose custom is to check MT. Houston's work, while MT Houston checks his. You can, therefore, rest assured that this department will all ways be faithfully guarded
 Your city engineer also, MT. Lacy, is much to be commended for his assiduous attention to the duties of his office, his methodical habits and his energy and in- tegrity of character.
 Indeed, so far as a clean and economi- cal administration may go toward solving the difficult problem of making ends meet, you surely are happy in having such a splendid staff about you to assist you in your work.
 T have also checked all receipts and disbursements to the date October 29, counting the cash and finding balance absolutely correct. I'll. M. M'NUTT,
 Auditor"