The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-02
MAYOR REVIEWS
PROGRESS OF CITY
Annual Message Shows Substan-
tial Development of Munich
pal Undertakings.
SOME NEW RECOMMENDATIONS
Ainslie Urges Immediate Changes
in Water System for Fire
Protection.

country at large, Richmond, accord
ing to the annual message of tho Mayor
presented to the Common Council last
night more than held its own. Tho
statement is corroborated by financial
tables and detailed reviews of tho
work of the separate departments dur
inr tho fiscal year ending February 1,
1914.
Mayor Ainslie's report is this year
considerably shorter than tho state
ment presented by him to the Council
at the June meeting in 1918. Tho con-
densation Is partly accounted for by
tho fact that no space Is given in tho
Mayors message to tho departments
which have since January 1. 1913. been
under the direction OF the Administra-
tive Board. In lieu Of such notice, the
Mayor transmitted with his statement
last night tho first annual report of
the Administrative Board. which COW
ers the work of tho departments under
It's direction.
In his analysts OF the municipal sit
uation, the Mayor points To the steady
progress In all OF the city departments.
and directs attention to several den-
cicncies that stand in need of correc-
ton Some Of his recommendations
are inspired by recommendations con-
Gained In the departmental reports
upon which his message is based.
Others givc expression to his own
views with regard to the city'a needs.
WANTS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
FOR CyIl'S GROWTH
The adoption OF comprehensive
and permanent plan for the future
growth and development OF Richmond
is earnestly recommended to the Coun-
ell for consideration.
Such plan" says tho Mayor.
should be the joint work OF engineers.
architects, santtarians, artists and
landscape experts. In other words, it
should be the product of trained pro-
fessionals. The Council that procures
and adopts a plan of that character
will erect n perpetual monument TO its
ability, wisdom and governmental ca
pacity."
Tho Mayor recommends a thorough
investigation OF the high tuberculosis
death rate among the colored popu-
lation-at present, 1t appears. tho
greatest problem that confronts tho
City Health Department. The Mayor
recommends also: t.
The extension Of vocational training
work I'm the public schools
Am increase In tho police forco by
the addition OF twenty-five new patrol
men.
Tho addition to the Fire Department.
forces OF 81 motorcycle squad, designed
for quick responses In the case OF small
fires and still alarms.
An carly correction of the deficient
water distribution system In tho con-
gcsted value district.
The establishment OF n new eight
The employment of n competent title
examiner TO relieve the City Attorneys
Office OF the mass OF detail work in
cidcnt TO tracing tho ownership OF
property required by the city.
REVIEWS FINANCES
oi' cry IN DETAIL.
The Mayors message follows in full
Office Of the Mayor.
Richmond, Va, June l, 1914
To tho Honorable Council OF the city
OF Rclimond
Gentlemen,-In compliance with the
requirements OF law, have the honor
to communicate u general statement
OF tho situation and condition OF tho
city In relation to its government.
finances and improvements, with such
recommendations as l deem proper
1t Is a pleasure 10 report that we
more than held our own In n year
that recorded much commercial and
financial depression in the country at
large. rs the accompanying compara-
tive table will show.
The report Of tho Auditor shows a
receipt and disbursement account OF
S4.S93529.l1, with II cash balance on
hand February /, 1914, OF Sl63.462S6.
City bonds to the amount OF $4,000
matured during the year. and the not
receipts from bonds sold were $780,
COL The estimated receipts for tho
general fund for the fiscal year 1914
are SS.54S,SG5.5o. and the budget ordi-
nance approved February l3 appro-
priated the entire sum.
The total authorized bonded debt of
the city, ns OF February l. 1914. was:
Total bonded debt. Sl2, 2,333,45S.50
Less cash and securities
In the sinking fund. 3.213,92319
Net outstanding debt IS s.11e,5s5.a1
The assessed value OF
real estate is. SS9,s35. 705.00
Eighteen per cent OF
which (to which the
bonded debt OF the
city is limited) is. 16,iSS.4269O
ASSETS EXCEED
LIABILITIES ny sI0,OO8,I0
In table c. OF the Auditors re-
port, will be found statement show
Ing in detail the character and value
OF property owned by the city. ag-
gregatng s22,7$9.92l.96 Deducting
from this $i3,7aS $3.50. the gross
bonded debt OF the city plus demand
loans AS OF February L. 1914, there
remains $l0,006. 463.46. which is the
value OF assets OF the city In c=cess
OF Its outstanding liabilities. In list
ing our assets we do not include street
improvements. such roadbed. side
walk and alley paving. curbs and gut
tcrs. which are included as assets by
many cities.
In table II" Will be found state
ment of receipts and disbursements
by the commissioners OF the sinking
fund, which shows receipts. plus ball
ancc on hand from previous year, OF
SSGi.s7S2T. and disbursements of $685.
35S.1l leaving q cash balance, as OF
February l. Of s22S,91516. In this
statement il will also be seen that
the commissioners invested during the
year Sl33.63S.11 In city OF Richmond
securities.
Table II" shows list or securities
and the cash held IN the sinking fund,
for payment OF the city debt, amount
ing to S3,2iS,923.19; and also the growth
OF fire insurance fund to S2l.4eS.3S
Tho report of the City Collector
shows collections during the year OF
the sum of S2,224, S3555. 80
:. The report Of tho Collector OF Dc. 3
ltnQuent Taxes shows collections dur-
Continued on Third Paga) s..