The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-25
WARD AGAIN REPLIES.
TO SURVEY ARTICLE.
President of City Commits
sion Presents Facts De-
nying Charges Made

! The Age-Eferald is in receipt OF let
ter from f. w. Haselwood of Willitts,
Cal, in which he states that the following
card is being circulated in that state:
Birmingham, the largest city in dry
Alabama, in 1915-population 10000, dis
| continued it's street sprinkling and garb-
age collection, dispensed with health Of
ficer. city physician and milk inspector,
extE guished one-half the city lights, cut
the school sessions from nine to seven
months, reduced salaries of all teachers
10 per cent, closed several fire stations,
abolished its recreation department with
Fairgrounds and indoor gymnasium.
stopped every cent of money to hospitals,
ckildren's homes and charities, cut over
two-thirds of it's appropriations for
parks. curtaled it's zoo, keeping only the
fowls because they are inexpensive to
maintain, did away with it's bureau of
weights and measures and abolished its
city welfare department From Survey
editorial, September IL. 1851
Commissioner Ward stated yesterday
that the best way to answer the state
ments being circulated in California was
to cite facts" Mr.. Ward said
physician and milk inspector have not
been dispensed with.
The school system has not been short
ened. but the board of education by
charging a nominal fee will operate the
schools on the same basis as before.
The annual appropriation to the public
library has not been withdrawn but re-
duced from $4,000 to 5000.
The arc lights in the city were out
10 .al1 Ia 8
were cut from $40 to POI.
The police department has been cut
from 40 men to 13S men, and they are
now working on eght-hour shifts as here
tofore
The fire department has been cut from
100 men to 1872 none of the fire sta
tions have been closed.
The service of the weight and measure
inspector has not been dispensed with.
The electric department has not been
reduced
The collection and disposal of garbage
is now being carried on on the same basis
as heretofore.
No animals of the zoo have been dis
posed of, or the services curtailed.
The cleaning and sprinkling of streets
lis being carried on at reduced price.
The welfare department is being op.
Grated on the same basis as heretofore.
AT the instance of the city commission,
based on recommendation OF the commit
tee of 100, referred to in the article of
the Survey, the legislature has enacted
law requiring city government to adopt
a budget system.
This law makes it a misdemeanor and
a cause of removal from office for ex-
ceeding the budget
The city is determined to live within
it's income, and if it does so will estab-
ish record that is probably unique in
the history of municipalities of the size
of Birmingham.
Since reductions have been made, no
appreciable lack Of efficiency in any de-
partment is noticeable. On the contrary,
there is every indication that the very
fact of reduction has increased the sense
of civic responsibility amongst the citi-
zens.
The purpose of this communication Is
not to criticize or resent the article in the
Survey. The spirit of it is appreciated,
but our purpose is simply to give the
readers the accurate data on which the
action of the city was based.