The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-07

sells Of the size Of the Old Dominion /
steamers 10 come up to Seventeenth |
street to load and unload
Value of Wharves.
As to the wharvcs the mayor says.
II have heretofore recommended,
and again urge. that these wharves
BIO constructed. and regret that no
appropriation was made in the gem
eral appropriation ordinance. They
should be built. not only to stimulate
present competition in transportation.
but TO invite to our city a part oil
the increased volume in freights In
Vessels of fight draught which Will
I pass the mouth of the James river
upon the completion of the inland ca
nails.
we can scarcely expect any large
appropriation from the general gov
eminent for the Improvement of our
river IL We neglect TO provide ade-
quatc terminal facilities at Rich
mend.'
: Buy Old Hotel.
The mayor recommends that the
I city acquire the block bounded by
Broad, Capitol. Eleventh and Twelfth
streets for courts, and to relieve con
gestion in the City Hall, and possibly
TO make provision for a public library
at some future time The mayor says:
III am much opposed TO the issuance
OF bonds to meet current expenses
the city should live within It's means;
but have no hesitation in recommend
ing that bonds be issued for the pur-
chase of real estate which VIII most
/ probably enhance in value"
The mayor also recommends that
1 heads Of departments be given sole
power to employ and discharge their
subordinates. and the employees under
them.
Need Fuller Reports.
Comment is made on the fact that
the City Collector does not report the
amount Of bills for taxes on real es-
tate or for personal property turned
over TO the Collector of Delinquent
Taxes, nor does the Collector of Deiin-
quent Taxes report the amount OF
bills returned as delinquent with any
statement OF the efforts made to col
lect such bills. The Mayor says:
The reports should show these facts.
1t is not sufficient 10 say that the
books will show: but the statements
should be made In the annual reports
for the information of the Council.
Commenting on the report of the
School Board the Mayer says:
THE average daily attendance was
1851. an increase of Liza, but still
only 2s.4 per cent OF the school pop
ut6IIOH. 3Nt6EtS all OI ADt SiittpB-
rooms are crowded, and many shame
fully SO, and yet after deducting the
number of those children, who at
tend private schools, not more than
so per cent. of those entitled 10 such
privileges are in regular attendance
on the public schools. These figures
show the necessity of providing more
schools
Have Purchasing Agent.
yrtYrxs. .s3S Atz0 afs,ar ont
for the city, Mayor Richardson says:
Il concur In the recomme ndatfon of
the Special Accountant that a pur-
chasing agent or supply department
be provided by ordinance. 1t is be-
lieved that much more than the SAL
AIRY Of the officer and expenses of the
department can hc saved by the APP
pointment of a purchasing agent. who
viii keep in touch with the market
and award contracts at proper, times.
. The Mayor also recommends that the
Special Accountant be made the pay
master or all employees of the city,
under such regulations as may he
: prescribed. and that he be given an
, assistant.
: In view or the offer of John p.
Branch to give other baths to the
Z city on the same terms and condi-
tons as those now In operation, the
Mayor recommends that the generous
| offer he accepted.
Finances in Good Shape.
The financial affairs OF the city are
declared 20 be in satisfactory condi.
r ton. No bonds have been issued dur
ing the year, but the city assumed
. amounting To s526,SoO. taking over a
sinking fund Of SOPHIE. City
bonds amounting to $4,000 and Man
chester bonds amounting To $4,000
matured during the year and were
: paid and cancelled. The city has
no floating debt. The present bond.
ed debt is Sil.eI1.25S.50. less sinking
fund Of Else. 4s4.sa. making a net
debt of s9,03e.793.sS. On the basis
! Of is per cent. Of assessed real es-
tate the city has a margin over It's
debt within the bond limit Of $3.50
;. is6.4s. The mayor has made a care
: full analysis of the various reports
showing actual expenditures durins
the past year of s3,376,S39.94 PAID
our for the following general uses:
= Interest and redemption. $685., 272.,
! Al: acquisition and Improvement Of
: property. s5ss.e46.s5: street. sewers
J parks and bridges, s6I5,34s.s5
y schools. s219,133.2S; gas works, s222,.
5000: electrical department Sill.
3s2.5T; iire department. sass. 1911
: police department. sl45. lI2.os: stree
: cleaning. sio7,s45.5s: health. s3S.
J. ! ASA 60; water department, -, SIS Al
City Home and outdoor poor $751;.
sTs.os. charitable and other instita
tons, $4,000: building department
sS3.S23.0s: salaries and pay Of Judges
$Ss,3iy.2S; electric lights. s4S.5T4.95
State assessment, s11.2sI.so; assess
, ment and collection of taxes se4.Tos
81. courts and 3uries. stI.S29,s0: Gem
eteries. sls.ss5.a1: judgme nts ant
damages, s12,937.7S: markets. $40
siS.s4 military. $4.1S0; washington
, ward. sifs.5ee.7s: all other purposes
! $4o,1546S.