The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-06-07
Mayor Replies To
 Criticisms In His
 Annual Message

Mayor Wilson's annual message to the Board of Aldermen last night was a general review of the work accom- plished during the past year together with favorable comments on the work attained by the departmental execu- dves- In some cases, he offered criti- cisms, especially to outside influences, for interference with the municipal government machine
 Several recommendations were in- corporated into the report wherein he advised that:
 Greater elasticity be allowed in financial affairs
 Board Of Aldermen have power to issue short term emergency notes,
 Establishment of a public market on The Plaza.
 Appointment of supernumary forces of police and fremen to serve without pay during instruction
 Election of women members of Board of Aldermen
 The Mayors report follows yer batim:
 To the Common Council of the City
 of Bridgeport
 Gentlemen:
 In accordance with the provisions of our City Charter I beg to submit herewith report of the conditions Of the various city departments, to- gether with certain recommendations in conjunction herewith. For more detailed statements of the various de- partments I would respectfully refer you to their several reports.
 Finances.
 The City Auditors annual report shows that there is an available cash balance in both districts at the close of the fiscal year of 1921, of s69,- S1z-29Ss577-31. Amount of Sinking Fund, $41S, ,15S.95. Which leaves our total net indebtedness S11. .SS0 AIS S6. The debt limit in excess of outstand- Efr p+raIv III- { per cent restriction placed by sta -tute, is S565, ,Sn.34 This shows conclusivefy that the city of Bridge port is in a very strong position finan- cia11y,
 There are commitments of short term notes which have been issued for the purpose of paying the judg- meHt rendered against the city, grow ing out of the Grand street bridge suit, amounting to about s2S0, 900, for which we sought authority from the legislature to issue bonds. I feel that this amount should be included in the bond issue and spread over a term of years as it IS an expense in cident to this structure. By issuing these bonds to take up temporary notes issued under previous authority of the legislature no increase in the ind rdebtedness of the city would result therefrom, but we were unable from one cause or another to obtain such permission Additional sewer bonds should be issued, for which we have authority, but we cannot do so at the restricted rate. Authority has been sought in the legislature to increase this rate from to per cent. and I hope that this will be approved be- fore the legislature adjourns.
 Authority was also sought from the legislature to issue additional bonds for the proposed bridge at East Washington avenue to replace the one torn down on account of it's condi- ton and at the request of the Gov ernment. The lack of a bridge a- this point has proved great incon- individuals in our city I regret that the legislature failed to grant permiS- sion to the city to issue these bonds
 Upon the unanimous recommenda- composed as you know of men int1- amtely connected with the city's financial condition, the legislature was asked to permit an increase in the cityis bonded Indebtedness from 5 per cent to per cent of its Grand List This, however, was not ob- tained. although I believe that it would have been Justified Other states have permitted their municipal ities to issue bonds to such an extent and in some instances to higher per centages-
 1t IS very gratifying to know that the investigation of the citys finances which was instituted and carried on by our local Chamber of Commerce, has shown a most favorable financial situation. This is doub1y so when we realize that it was in somewhat of an antagonistic spirit that the 'work was inspired and completed According to the report of the investigator em- pIoyed for the purpose of making the fnyestigation, there is a surplus amount on hand as of January 1. 1921, although placing a very con seryatiye valuation upon all city owned property. of s1o,79o, 490.9s. At this valuation the city could pay ss;ts total bonded indebtedness almost twice before any possibility of levy ing against the property of any indi- yidual would arise
 Roard of Education.
 As have often stated. this board. Tn my opinion. does not function as ft should, largely because of it's un-