The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-06
CHARITIES AIDED BY
CITY MUST REPORT
TO THE commission
Ordinance Passed Yester-
day-City Comptroller to
Keep an Eye on Books
of Institutions

An ordnance became a law yesterday
requiring all charitable institutions ir
Birmingham that receive aid from tht
municipality to report It's financial opera
iions before the fourth day of each month
to the city commission for scrutiny by the
city comptroller.
The ordinance was introduced by Com
missioner A. o. Lane. Without the
slightest hesitation Commissioner Wealth
erly said: "I am certainly in favor OF
that" and In less than 10 seconds the
ordinance was a law except for the rou-
tine OF advertising
During the past several months there
have been various and sundry rumors,
enlanating from no one knows where, in
reference to the charitable operations OF
Birmingham. The constant appeals to
the city for aid apd statements that this
and that institution refused succor to
applicants. has been annoying the COM
mlssioners for a long time. Just what
incident called Judge Lanes attention to
the situation and caused him to draw up
the ordnance was not explained. How
ever, the instantaneous approval of Mr..
Weatherly was taken as an indication
that there was a unity of opinion as to
the fairness of examination of financial
operations of the citys charity.
Contribute to Many Charities
The city contributes to almost every
charity in this city. The list includes
the Associated Charities, ST. Vincent s
hospital, the Salvation Army. the Anti
| n, Fof,, 80
America, Pisgah Home. the Oetavia White
home, the Boys club and others of less
prominence The city contributes from
$40 to $500 per month to various chari-
ties In addition the city of Birmingham
has number of appeals for transporta-
ton from Birmingham to various cities
that seldom go unsatished. The city Of
hcials. after having donated so much
money, are inclined to the BELIEF that
relief should be found from the stream
OF applicants that come to the city hall
The ordinance as adopted yesterday pro-
yides that every month each institution
must file its report with Secretary Scud-
der Ryall. From his desk the reports
are to be examined by the city comp
troler, Charles Abbott. 1t Is taken that
IL any waste is found in those reports,
which must be certified to, that the COM
mssioners Will take such action in that
connection as may be suitable to the
proposition.
Ordinance Passed
The ordinance as passed follows:
"An ordinance to require all charitable
or other institutions. of whatever kind
or character, to which the city of Lir-
mneham contributes or donates, TO
make a report of all its financial opera
tions ON or before the 9TH day OF each
month. for the next preceding month
Section l. Be II ordained by the board
OF commissioning of the city of Birming-
ham, That all charitable or other insti-
tutions OF whatever kind or character,
who receive donations or contributions
from the city of Birmingham. shall be
required. ON or before the fourth day Of
each month to make fun and comDlel,
report of its financial doings for the next
preceding month. which said report shall
be filed with the clerk OF this board
and be examined by the city comptroller.
"See. 2 BE it further ordained, That the
books and accounts of all such charitable
or other institutions receiving contribu-
tions or donations from the city Of Bir
mingham shall be open TO the inspection
and examination Of the city comptroller
and he shall make reports upon such
books and accounts to the board of com
missioners, when required to do SO by
said board, and the said reports shall
be filed with the clerk Of this board for
its own use