The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-29
COMMISSIONER EXUM All Agree That More Reve- nue Must Be Secured,
 But How?
TAX RATE LOWEST
 IN UNITED STATES
Study of the Situation by Commis- sioners Has Lined Them Up in
 Advocacy of Certain Meas ures of Relief
By HUGH W. ROBERTS

The city commissioners have reduced the operating expenses of the city of Birmingham s125, 600 per annum. | From dealers In liquor the city is re- ceiving at the present time about S125,- oOo. which revenue was not to be had previously.
 l The rate of business licenses is higher in Birmingham than in any other south ern city.
 Exclusive of its bonded indebtedness the city at the conclusion of the present fiscal year will be about s5oo,0oo behind it's burget appropriations. | On the other hand hand, the tax rate in Birmingham is lower than that of any other city of approximately the same size in the United States.
 That section of the state revenue bill which provides that franchise taxes col lected from public utility corporations must be applied towards the payment of license taxes has deprived the city of an estimated sum of s75,0oo per annum.
 Extraordinary expenses incurred in the purchase of park property, the erection and improvement of schools and the con- struction of a crematory have made heavy inroads into the coffers. Losses in the matter of street improve ment assessments levied against the resi- dents of that vast territory which became part of Birmingham under the provi- 1 sions of the Greater Birmingham bill have seriously handicapped. | t,1,o int inG a nOliCa 6an9rf- ment that is admittedly entirely made quate. which fact has aroused the indig- nation of the citizens who are not given necessary protection.
 There is a crying demand for more lights and more and better equipped schools.
 The commissioners agree that some sys- tenn will have to be evolved as a result of which more money will be obtained for the purposes of government
 Several schemes have been suggested An amendment to the constitution permitting an increase in rate of taxa | tion.
 | 9. An amendment to the constitution permitting Birmingham to become sep | 3. Municipal ownership of the public utility franchises and plants.
 Memphis has 131.lO5 people; Birming- ham, 132,ss5.
 | Each is southern city. The average citizen of each is of one type. | But in many respects, especially as concerns city, government. there is a vast difference between Memphis and Birming ham.
 Memphis is one of the best policed cities, in proportion to population, in the United States Birminghams police de- partment is admittedly inadequate The fire department of Memphis is one of the best equipped in the United States Bir- minghams fire department, when com pared to it's police department, is excel lent, but has not as yet reached the highest state of development. Memphis has adequate school facilities. In Bir mingham there is at present a cry for more and better equipped schools. Mem phis is one of the best lighted cities of the south. Birminghams residential sec | ton is not properly lighted. At the helm in each of the cities are patriotic citizens. In Memphis. additional strides in public service attainment are contemplated. In Birmingham, on account of financial distress very litsle progress can be made.
 In Birmingham, there are constitutional ! limitations in the matter of taxation. In