The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-04-20
Hancock Department
MAYOR urges
MORE ECONOMY
I'M ADDRESS TO COUNCIL HE OUT.
LINES POLICY FOR YEAR
AND MAKES sUG-
GESTIoNS.


sion last evening Mayor w. IL. Dodge
reiterated his views on economy In city
government as already made public
through interviews in the press. Ad-
dressing the aldermen he said;
THE people of the city have shown
competent to fill the position you
hold and | think voice the sentiment
each of us feels OF an honest desire
To make good and serve to the best
of our abilities the citizens and tax
payers who have put us here. TO ac-
complish this harmony is essential.
Good will must prevail, without which
nothing worth while can be accom-
plished for the benefit of the commun-
ity. In view of the condition of the
city finances many important and nee
essary improvements cannot be I'M
dertaken, much as they might be de-
sired, i'm Justice to the taxpayers. We
may make mistakes. What city does
not? But / feel that when this year is
finished we shall at least feel that we
have tried to do credit to ourselves
and our community"
To Audit Finances Again.
The financial report called for by
the mayor Immediately after he quail
fled for office was read last night. 1t
was a very extensive and thorough
document, almost as long as the one
prepared by Auditor McWane last
winter, which was ordered printed by
the council but which has not yet
made its appearance. The report was
so voluminous that it was merely
skinned over last night and upon its
being concluded Mayor Dodge submit
ted some comments upon the financial
situation i'm the following message:
''The report shows that appar-
emily there has been charged by the
city clerk $22S,S55.2S which does not
include county and state taxes of 49,
5SS19, which amount deducted from
the amount reported as collected by
the treasurer leaves an apparent dis
crepancy of $11.637S7. There should
be in the interest and sinking fund a
balance of $17,9SO57 in the fire fund
$1,490.41, street fund $1.5472O, sewer
fund $1.5OI77, police fund S54S91, ball
ance due school fund $2,OO1.74 and
balance due the Front street improve
ment fund of $510.97.
Instead of this amount on hand I'm
cash, there is actually on hand accord
ing to the clerks statement $2,S1962.
THE statement of liabilities of
$25S,240.76 does not include the Front
street Improvement balance. sewer
balance, sidewalk balance. chemical
engine, road roller and garbage cans
and other items voted by the council
Of over $1,000 thus making our to-
tai liability nearly $4,000 instead of
$25S.000. Our assets are actually over
stated and should be estimated only
according to their actual cost TO the
city or taxpayers, instead of apprais-
ais, perhaps for purposes of advertis
ing our city.
There are at least $4,000 of assets
that do not represent actual cost to
our city. The general city bonds of
$194,500 require an interest charge of
$4,000 per year which must be pro-
vided for each year by taxes, and
which must be paid before a single
dollar is available for any other pur-
pose.
Il would recommend that the council
authorize the mayor to appoint three
competent auditors from the citizens
of Hancock To audit the finances of
this city Immediately and afterwards
semi-annually, and report it's condi-
tion to this council with their recon-
mondations. The report to show first;
That the accounts are correct. sec
ondly; the obligations of the city at
all times, thirdly; the account of fixed
charges that the city must meet an
nually. fourthly; the condition of all
special assessment funds. filthy: the
amount of all obligations of the city
Tor which no provision has been made
for payment"
As such auditing committee Mayor
Dodge named Cashier j. G. Jeffrey and
W. $. Hendrickson of the Superior
Bank and Assistant Cashier John c.