The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1921-04-16

liability as cash item in the
banks was not a liability and was
not an amount due by the city, which
would reduce the amount due by the
city as debt of course that amount.
over Mr.. Cameron's report.
Mr.. Byrne's figures showed that
the city's actual debt on Jan. 1,
1921, was only $43,260. Mr.. Byrne
explained that this sum was the to-
tai amount owed during the year
the fact with no increase in taxa
tion, $4,000 bonds with 5000 in
terest had been retired and a $12,-
600 increase in teachers salaries had
also been made. He further averred
that the possible resources of the
city had been increased $4,000 since
MIR. Cameron's report closed, with
the additional sum Of about $4,000
to come in as special privilege tax
licenses, an appropriation of $40, 900
from the State for teachers salaries
and $4,000 for the county, with an
addition of $500 due from the
county from last year for school pur-
poses, with an approximate sum of
$66,000 to come in this year from
power house revenues, this latter
sum, he stated, being Mr.. Sartin's
estimate of the figures on the sub
ject.
Mr.. Byrne stated that his figures
of revenue for the coming IL months
for the city were $164,000, which
was practically $4,000 per month.
The average city's expenses, he said
for the past 80 months were $10,-
900 per month. This would leave
the city an excess of $4,000 per
month this year. And isn't this an
excellent condition." he queried,
just before asking for any question
that anyone wanted to ask him about
the financial condition of the city.
Several questions were then pro-
pounded by different parties. An
swers to them were that the teachers
of the city took $4,400 from the
treasury every month. Coal, for use
at the power house, had consider
ably reduced. The city had paid as
much as $7.95 at the mines, but were
now getting 1t at s1.75 or less, which
would considerably reduce operat-
ing expenses from the high price pc
riod covering two years past. COM
mon city labor had also gone down
to the extent of 81 to $3.50 per day.
AS an asset the city's water and
power plant was mentioned, Mr..
Byrne stating as his knowledge that
1t could be sold at any time at big
price, but then, he said "If this was
done the city would have to pay for
all its street lighting, it's lights at the
public school, the city hall and 9TH
er uses TO which 1t is put as gen.
eral benefit to the community"
HON. H. CASSIDY
in an amiable manner talked on the
get-together spirit, the lack of know
ledge that some had of how the city's
affairs were run, asked former Clerk
Byrne about the way affairs had
been run, as to the system used in
conducting 1t, and favored Attorney
COINS motion for a committee to be
appointed to work with the board.
Mr.. Cassidy also expressed gratif-
cation at the fact that no form of
graft was connected with the affairs
before the meeting.
CHAIRMAN BUTTERF1ELD
assumed conservative attitude in a
few words in advocating looking fur
ther into the matters under consid-
Grafton, believing that the commit
tee idea was good, one.
MAYOR r. S. BUTLER
in addressing Clerk Cameron, and
without awaiting reply as to-
whether he would acknowledge for
mer Clerk Byrne's statement as to
his statement as to the cash item Of
$30.240 not being city liability,
said he would go and get his ball
anee sheet as Of Feb LIST TO prove his
and Byrne's statement, which he did.
COHN GOT APPLAUSE.
city Attorney A. A. Cohn was the
only one who talked at the meeting
who won audible applause. Mr..
Cohr got a liberal share following
a ringing speech at the close Of the
session.
Among the matters stressed by
Mr.. Cohn and brought out foreibly.
although he averred he held no brief
from the Board as to what he was
to say. and asked for contradiction
on the floor If he was wrong was
the following: That the present ad-
ministration seeks the most thorough
and searching investigation OF It's
affairs and will and does welcome
any suggestion that may come from
Hropkhaven'n citizens We are All ID