The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1920-03-19
MIDNIGHT SESSION
OF CITY ASSEMBLY
Everything From Street Cleaning to
High Finance Discussed.
NO COMPROMISE ON NEW DEPOT
Superintendent Ranck Endorsed and
Street Fairs Prohibited.

Almost everything that pertains
to the management and operation of
the municipality of Union City was
taken up by the Board of Mayor and
Aldermen last Tuesday night for
consideration, and action taken on
mrny important matters.
One of the most important mat
tiers of business was the finance.
Chairman Howell Bransford read a
report of the financial condition and
a special report showing that the
city's actual current expenditures at
the present time will amount to
over forty thousand dollars, about
1forty-two thousand. The revenues
from all sources at the present rate
OF taxation are approximately $685.
900, leaving difference of thirteen
thousand dollars that must be pro-
vided for at the end of the year.
This, of course, runs the city in debt,
and the financing must be done
either by local bankers and capital
or from some other sources and be
it said for the foresight and stand
ing of the present board that these
matters will be handled without any
disturbance in our city affairs.
The cause of increasing expendi-
lures is apparent to everybody.
Public expenses are going up on the
same scale of private business and
corporation affairs. Everything that
the city has to buy is high. The big
item is coal, another the salaries OF
city employees, another the schools.
The budget for another year will be
still more than at any time in the
east.
The secretary of the Board of Ed
ucation, G. w. Miles, Jr., read an
estimate of approximate expendi-
lures of the public schools for an
other year, going into the matter in
detail. 1t has become absolutely
necessary, owing to the present con-
ditions, to raise the salaries of school
teachers. 1t is not matter OF
choice. Teachers are leaving the
profession for more lucrative fields
and in place of file of applications
for positions in the schools the board
CT education has no applications and
a. faa
year the total expenditures for the
city schools will run. some four thot('
sand dollars over the receipts. Next
year, according to Mr.. Miles esti-
mate, the expenses will exceed the
revenues some eight thousand, and
the estimate is extremely conserva-
tive. All these matters were entered
into in the minutest detail, showing
what every teacher receives and
what will be necessary to get them
in the school for another year. The
report was very complete.
The president of the Board of Ed
ucation, DR.. G. H. Niles, appeared
before the city council and pre-
sented the name of F. e. Ranck for
reelection as superintendent of the
City Schools. This brought forth
many complimentary remarks con-
corning Mr.. Rancks work with the
schools of Union City. One speaker
referred to the fact that not single
unfavorable criticism had been
heard about Mr.. Ranck. Mr.. Ranck
was unanimously elected at an in
creased salary, which was necessary
to get another competent man, and
the board feels that we have been
extremely fortunate in securing the
services of Mr.. Ranck
The schools comprise very
lengthy subject, but the board pro-
ceeded to other matters. The, sub
jcct of taxation was preached, and
some recommendations made for the
1920 assessment. 1t was proposed
that the State and county assessment
be taken as basis for the city
raising the property assessment to
the actual cash valuation. The prin-
ciple was agreed to, but the board
went on record that the city should
make it's assessments Independently
for the reason that there were some
Inequalities in the county assess
mont. When this assessment is made
and the rate of taxation fixed the
board then proposes to make up its
budget for the year.
There being quite number Of
spectators present Mayor Pittman
asked for general public opinion on
this subject, and with one voice