The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-06-05
MAYOR WILSON DELIVERS HIS
 1917 MESSAGE
Says Bridgeport Is Largest City In State and Hands
 Himself Bouquet

SasSker action on street oonetruc- .ton anit the early completion. of all cltJ ~orh now underway, were ad- vocated by Mayor Clifford B. Wilson in his annual message to ehe city council last night. Outlining the work of the various city departments. the mayor commended each Re- ferring to the financial condition of the city, Mayor Wilson stated that Bridgeport occupies an enviable po- sition in the financial world The city was declared to be the largest in the state.
 Mayor Wilson's complete message follows:
 ITO the Honorable Common Council
 of the City of Bridgeport:
 "Gentlemen-In compliance with the provision the city charter, I herewith submit my annual report.
 These are very serious days in the life of the entire world and this fact will be brought home closer to us in the near future when many of our young men will be called to the de- fense of our country, that the cause of liberty and humanity may extend throughout the world.
 T believe that a census of the va rioHs cities in Connecticut would show Bridgeport at the present time to be easily the first in population. This rapid increase has entailed the expenditure of large sums of money for the physical development of the city in order to meet the needs result ant therefrom.
 Finances.
 .aThe net debt of the city on April 1. 1917. was $5.70s,Ss5.s7. On April 24, 1917, bonds amounting to $3.575,- 900 were issued fer the further de- velopment of our city. The city was fortunate in obtaining a premium on this large bond issue and it is inter- esting to note in passing that many other cities were unable to float smaller bond issues even at par which shows that Bridgeport occupies an enviable position in the financial world.
 Assessors.
 The Board of Assessors has been abolished and a single-headed tax commission has been placed in charge of this work. believe that under the new system taxes will be more equitably levied and that we will soon be working under the lot and plot system which is most desirable. The tax commissioner has an efficient corps of assistants and the change to this new system has been made with out additional expense to the city.
 Health. Department.
 During the past year, Bridgeport, in common with other cities, suffered from an epidemic of infantile paraly- sis, This entailed the expenditure of $40.000 by the. city. As result, how ever, we have much more efficient department than hitherto.
 "A public welfare building is in pro cess of construction which, when com pleted, will be one of the best equipped buildings of the kind in America. Too much importance can not be placed upon the work of this department. Dr. Walter H. Brown has been appointed health officer at a salary of $s,5oQ. Under his guidance the efficiency o. the department will be greatly enhanced.
 Charities Department.
 Angus P. Thorne has been appoint ed superintendent of this department believe that MT. Thorne is unusually we'll qualified for this work and tha, the affairs of the department will be efficiently handled by him. The sal ary of this officer has been increased to $s,50o. As soon as the Welfare building is completed the Board ot Charities will work in closer con. junction. Under this arrangement the affairs of both departments will be more efficiently handled
 Police and Fire Departments.
 These departments have showr great proficiency in their respective lines of work.
 Two new combination houses are being constructed, one at the corner of King street and Fairfield avenue ir the West End. and one on the corner of Beechmont avenue and Thorn. street, North End
 The fourth precinct police statio, has been established for the north erly. section of the city The trafh has been extremely well managed un der the guidance of Captain CharIe A. Wheeler.
 "A manual system of fire alarn will be installed in a new depart rnent headquarters on Middle stree as soon as the same are completed This will insure quicker responses f. fire alarms and will eliminate an, possibility of confusion.