The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1917-06-16

Power today is being supplied to nu,nbe,
| of shops. and both nower and wata,. ns.
! furnished to the Newman farm on Bavou Ia.
| feurche. - go ' '' "" La
| Financial Condition.
;rdahtS soillin.stratlon found the city heavily
ihaepted, with obligations of various kinds
| outstanding, and these obligations bearino
| interest at varying amounts from fye fo
elght per cent. Steps were promptly taken
W. ~ sihs SITUATION. and we were finally
spte 70 pace the entire floating Indebtedness
| IN the shape of certificates bearing Ave Der
cent interest payable over y period of vasrs
IN IN, spite OF reduced revenues. we have been
able within the FOUR years tn reduce thn
floating Indebtedness Of the eitv to The sr-
tent OF ten thousand dollars, and the
bonded indebtedness has been reduced by one
thousand dollars. A modern system of keep
ing the records of the citv was inaupuratea
vouchers are issued for every expend;ture
and a. moments notice taxpayer can
! ascertain the cost of every item of nunici
pal work Each year the records of the city
have heen audited by q certified public ac
countant. and these have been regularly
Published The fiscal year has been changed
10 correspond with the calendar year. An
| nexed to and made part hereof is a. com
Dafative statement showing in detail the in
debtedness in 1913 as eompsred with 1917.
Progress.
new wharf has been constructed to re-
place the old one ordered removed by the
engineers to make way for the new line OF
operated
account of the municipality, and with the
ever increasing river traffic should become
source Of considerable revenue for the city.
The Vigilant Hose Company has secured
a modern motor-dr1ven truck, and is now in
position to render quick and effective service
not only to the city, but to neighboring COM
runities in the event of disastrous fires.
On all sides. we note increased activity
here after years of depression. More auto
mobile garages have come into existence: a
new bank has been organized, and the de-
posits of the two institutions last fall reach
ed high water mark. In the march onward
we must not overlook the coming to our CONF
rlunity of the Very Reverend Father Cham
bon. who has in his short stay here already
made his presence felt. leader and
worker. through his efforts substantial i'm
provements have been made In The paroehial
schools The public school has become more
OF power in the community. Military com
E,anies have been formed in connection with
both the Darochial and public schools: the
latter company. fully equipped, is re-
rardcd as the best of its kind in the state
In 1918 saw the birth 81 the South Louis
ANA Fair, Originally comprising only three
parishes. it now includes eleven parishes,
and each year has seen It grow in exhibitors
and attendance OF all the institutions which
have come to Donaldsonville in recent years,
the fair has without doubt contributed more
than any one thing toward upbuiiding the
country tributary to the city, upon the pros
perity of which this city depends. It has
crops and live stock II has directed public
attention to the excellent central location we
have here not only for the. fair but for busl-
ness enterprises Of every kind. With gravel
direction, with fsae III sridge aers.a.
Rayou Lafonrche, with ESrd surfHced roads
shortly TO be constructed On the east side of
the river, Donaldsonyille. aaready open 70
the rich Bayou Lafourehe territory. will soon
be put in touch with the large and growing
section of the parish across the river, and
this section. In turn, will be given the ad-
vantages of schools. churches and amuse-
meats which this centre has to offer.
Alive to the demand being made for more
food production, owners Of property within
the city limits are rapidly converting waste
places into gardens. The hope expressed by
me four years ago that the day might come
when the city would be the home OF
gardens is fast being realized As an object
tcsson q municipal garden has been started
next to the postoffice: both parocnlai ana
of gardens. We now have here federal
demonstration agent to direct this work ana
assist the farmers generally IN producing
more and better crops.
Conclusion.
| can not close this statement Withoat
assistance given at all times to the al
miristration by the city auditor, A. J. Meie
ancon and the tax collector and ehfeI OF
police, r. e. Dill. Both of these men have
given faithful service to the city: through
he efforts of the the records OF the
city have been carefully kept. and BY the m
elltstry Of the other. taxes end licenses nave
been better collected than heretofore, and the
commissioners have been through their WORK
greatly assisted in administering the analrs
of the city.
We believe that Donaldsonyille in adopting
the commission form for it's government mas ,
acted wisely. Like her sister cities, she VII.
find, as officials and the public become more
familiar with it's operation, that the system
fixing responsibility results in efficiency ana
economies in the administration Of muniei-
pal affairs.
June Ia, 1917, we yield our places 70 our