Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-03-11

Die at once Ter state fodu tOnStfuc-
ton, and | hope this board will fol-
low cut the provision made by your
predecessors for the expenditure of as
much OF this fund as may BE- neces-
sary IN properly suffacing the macad-
am from the railroad bridge to the
cotton mill. The dust evil on our bus
mess street is involved in this as is
the present unsatisfactory method of
street sprinkling. Even with the fund
mentioned available, it is my hope that
the city continue to obtain from the
State as much assistance as we con-
sistently may.
The appropriation for sewers the
last year. was almost entirely devot-
ed by necessity, to caring for matters
originated ii previous years. This year.
there are few important, but not eX-
tensIve, additions To the system which,
if made would greatly add to che
health and convenience Of the city.
The city needs much in sidewalk con-
struction; il is only Il question Of
whether sufficient funds can he raised
for the purpose.
The report of the chief engineer Of
the fire department speaks for Itself
as To the condition and various lm-
preVements of this department. IN
which the city has always taken pride
because of its efficiency and because
its members perform their duty not for
their own gain but fer the city's good
and their own leve OF their work.
For the past year. as for the year
-
lice department give us cause to be-
lieve that we are comparatively free
from serious or numerous crimes. 1t is
not my belief that members of this
board or the mayor are required, under
the oath we have taken. to personally
institute prosecutions any more than
it is the duty of any citizen who may
have the necessary information, but,
as have taken occasion to state be-
fore. | now repeat that The compare
lively slight control which, under our
charter. the MAYOR has over this de
partment will be, during my term of
office. exercised for the enforcement of
low. With a continuance Of divided re-
sponsbility between county and city,
supplemented by political differences
based very largely on this very CUES
ton, the matter of enforcement of the
prohibitory law has not perceptibly
changed and neither has my position
in regard to the same; | believe the
sale of LIQUOR cannot be wholly stopped.
| believe conditions in this city are
not extremely bad. l believe this and
every law should be impartially en-
fnrqpG nv The nrnppr officers.
One year ago I took occasion TO
mention the matter of providing for a
future water supply. Although no ac-
ton has been taken, l believe thought
and discussion has been aroused on
this question. 1t would seem that
thorough examination and detailed re-
port by a competent engineer would
now he a forward step The city is very
greatly hampered by the indebtedness
assumed for The creation of the pres
ent system. This will in few years
be cancelled and that day will see the
city in an enviable position. by rea-
son of freedom from debt and by rea-
sen of increased revenue.
One other board of officials, | be-
iieve. has seldom received the recog-
iilllOI ueStIhGt. L itANi w NiiN '''t'iN' -
Health. It's duties are often unpleas-
ant out it performs a great service anG
to my mind the city is fortunate TO
enjoy the results brought about
through the attention given by our
board, especially within the past two
years. Much improvement can yet be
made. and in securing it, this board
deserves your support and assistance.
There are very many minor matters
which have come to my mind. as
doubtless rnany have come to yours,
wherein improvements can De made.
To enumerate them at this time would
be to no benefit
The one great matter, however,
which YOU must determine in the near
future is that of the appropriation OF
money and the raising of taxes. Com
paratively few of our citizens many
of whom do not hesitate to criticize,
and many of whom will undoubtedly
criticize, If the present rate OF taxa
ton be raised, realize that the city in
1912 had over $4,000 less property on
which taxes could be levied than in
1911; in other words at our present
rate, loss of income which could
have been appropriated to the amount
of over $1,000. Yet the citizens, by
petitions signed by property holders
and otherwise. are demanding more
and more OF the city. New street lights,
new ways and various other improve
ments. How is it possible, gentlemen,
with less resources to aXpend more
or even the same amount and come
out square at the end of the year? You
cannot do il in the conduct of your
own finances and there is no different
principle applicable to the fiscal affairs
of the city. You must either go on
doing just what is absolutely neces-
sary and even then letting some mat
tiers fall behind for lack of proper
preservation, or increase your revenue.
! do not anticipate that the valuation,
this year, will show an increase over
that of 1912; it may again show a
decrease and / know of no other way
in which more funds can be obtained
except by increasing either the rate
of taxation or the Indebtedness Of the
city, the legal limit to which has al
ready been passed. In 1911, the in
debtedness Of the city was increased
practically without overdraft, in 1917