El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-07-25

their strict inquiry into the details of
the expenditure of school funds has
permitted them to exercise q wise
judgment as to how best to meet the
have been operated during the past
year at a saving of nearly $50, 200 over
the previous u months. They. reduced
a deficit of SS8,000 to about $4,000
during the last year without interfering
with the employment OF the best teach
ers obtainable, as il is a fact that the
city of Ell Paso is paying better sal
aries to its teachers than any Other
city in Texas. and its classes compare
fayorably with the best schools in the
state We expect to be able to reduce
the present deficit within the next fis-
cal year, at which time the schools will
be on cash basis.
The CIty's Parks.
This department is handling the work
of improving and beautifying the parks
in a very able and economical manner,
and 1 am pleased to state that the
citizens are deriving the full benefit
Of the u parks in the city.
Washington Park.
This park is now being operated by
the city and is earning a good sized
revenue. 1t is the policy Of the admin
istration to use all of this revenue for
the Improvement and Identification of
this particular. park. 1 may mention
to you that all of the notes due on the
purchase of this park have now been
paid, and no further liability exists on
same.
Blacksmith.
All blacksmithing work for the diff
ferent departments is handled by the
city, thereby effecting considerable
saving
WaterwOrks Extensions.
This department has expended
moneys since it became municipal prop
erty in an endeavor place the sys-
TEN in good condition, to develop new
wells and equipment tG obtain a full
If . 70 &
insurance key rate and to meet the
rapid advances our city is now making
in population. We have extended pipe
lines on account of the demand of
property owners who desired to i'm
prove their property by the paving Of
streets We have installed a new
large pump at the city pumping sta
ton, new compressor which was COM
pleted some time ago, a large conduit
for use in gathering the water supply
on the mesa, so constructed as not to
expose the water to the open air during
the flow to the consumer.
Big Extensions Made.
a great many of the lines were in
stalled with view to future require
the amount necessary for this item
during the next several years. We
have Installed 1865 meters of all sizes
since the city has owned the plant,
and we are now installing same at
the rate of 100 per month. hope that
the end of the present fiscal year viii
see all consumers supplied with meters.
1 wish to call your attention to the
fact that the city, since it acquired the
plant, has made disbursements for con-
struction in the amount of over S176,-
900.
Would Cut Water Rate.
Referring to the financial condition
of this department, I recommend that
there be issued $3.50, 900 in 5 per cent
40 year bonds, in order to fund the
present vendors lien notes of S10O,9O0
which mature in November. 1872 and
November 1913, and to meet the over
draft in the waterWorks fund. also
recommend a reduction in the water
rate from 80 cents TO 20 cents, and a
further reduction after say one year,
or as soon as the net earnings of the
plant indicate its feasibility.
Accounting System.
As you are aware, we have estab-
lished a modern system of accounting
for all departments in the city, same
being in charge of a general book
keeper, thus making it possible to Sc
cure regular and accurate reports on
all matters pertaining to the financial ,
and other operations of the munich
p9Hty. I have also created the position
Of general timekeeper for the city,
with view of placing more safeguards
around the matter of timekeeping pay
rolls, etc
Street Paving Bids.
I find that the practice of securing
competitive bids in the matter of street
paving has the effect of saving i'm
nense sums to the property owners
and to the city. as will be noted from
he following figures;
North FL PasO St
Estimate s 71S5 %