The Forrest City times., 1913-03-21
ABOUT THE CITY'S MONEY.

Since reference was made in recent
 issue of The Times to the fact that the new city administration had been
 called upon to meet and settle num-
 Der of old claims and debts that were
 contracted back in 1908, 1909, 1910 and 1911, quite number have made in- quiry and have expressed desire to
 know just how much these old debts
 amount to that the present city ad-
 ministration have been called on to
 settle.
 In order to get this information, a
 Times man interviewed City Recorder
 Thos. O. Brien few days ago and that gentleman informed us that
 the present board of aldermen had
 been called upon to pay out something over Sl400 on these old claims that had
 been contracted by the city as far
 back as 1908
 In addition to this, there is now outstanding two pieces of scrip, "ihouitibS U Go,oli, lIldO was lSSu6u in 1909 and 1910, in favor of the For rest City Manufacturing Co.,, that no doubt will have to be taken up when the tax collector makes his next set clement with the city. The total revenues of the city from taxation amounts to something like S600O. Time if utIf ho fhat if hn ctt tX, has to redeem this Forrest City Man. ufacturing Co. scrip this year, the outlook is that the city will continue to be smothered with debt for at least another year.
 All the taxpayers of the city should | take some interest in knowing how | their money is spent. Since Mayor Scott and the new board of aldermen | took up the reins of government, an addition has been made to the sewer age system of the city, taking in that portion lying north of the Rock Island l and west of the Iron Mountain rail- roads, with Division street as it's west ern boundary, and Dillon street as it's northern boundary, said improve ments having cost, in round numbers, Sl10O.
 Among the old claims paid recently was Sl25 for road machine that was purchased in 1909, and another debt of | $50 that was made when the gravel pit was first leased, sometime in 1907 or 1908.
 on June l, 1912, city scrip to the amount of Sl200 was issued with which | to purchase mules, wagons and street working tools and equipments; and shortly after this over $500 in cash was spent in retaining the site of the old l waterworks plant and power-hou>e on the hill and converting it into stable, and headquarters for the cty's street. working force, both men and teams.
 The city has only recently purchas- ed s550 worth of new hose. The new administration has expended s33l in building bridges, and has paid out s3O in cash in releasing the gravel pit.
 People who take an iterest in know ing what is going on, will be gratifled in reading this information. In spite of the fact that the new city admins tration has been greatly handicapped through lack of funds and by reason of having to take up so many old claims it has accomplished many good things five new crossings have been laid at an expense perhaps, of s250 or $500. Commissioner Dooley has accomplish ed much good work on the streets, and the plant of the City Water and Light Co, is in better shape and is running along more satisfactorily and with less friction than it has ever be- fore in several years. It behooves us all to pull together and do whatever we can to assist in getting the city out of debt and in getting everything squared away, looking towards great CT, better, cleaner and more prosper ous Forrest City.