The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-10-05
BUDGET TO PLAY
IMPORTANT PART
IN CITY PRIMARY
Some Of Commissioners
May Now Be Sealing
Their 1926 Fate
WITH FUNDS SCARCE
DEMANDS HEAVY
Cold Facts Show Slim
Chance For Any Pay
increases

The financial budget now being com
piled by the city commission 10 govern
expenditures during the next fiscal
year, is going to play an Important
part in the 1925 municipal political
campaign, city hall observers agreed
Saturday.
with limited funds and heavier de-
mands than usual, the five commits
sioners now in office face a situation
which. they admit, will lay them open
10 shnrn criticism from one source or
another, aud most likely from aumerous
sources.
Moreover, some Of the potential can.
didates for places on the next govern
ing body are keeping close tab on
the budget developments, in the belief
that 1t will supply them with consid-
cradle campaign thunder" Although
the commission Aas been considering
the budget in secret sessiOnsy many
statements attributed 10 commission
members in connection with these closed
proceedings were being quoted In po-
litical circles Saturday.
Unprecedented demands for new APP
preparations or increased appropria.
tons have been made on the commits
sion. The members realize that IL they
grant some and refuse others. a great
hue and cry will be raised, Yet, they
do not see where the money Is coming
from to grant any increases--not even
for police and firepens' salaries.
Revenue increases
The estimated revenue for the new
fiscal year shows a big increase over
previous years, but very little Of this
increase will go into the general fund,
from which increased appropriations
must come. In fact, the general fund
of 1925 will be only $4,000 or $4,000
larger than IL was In the old budget.
Right at the outset, at least $60,O00
of this increase In general fund must
he appropriated to care for shOr. nges
in the public. Improvement division of
the comptrollers 0fieef. That will
leave around g3O.U0O. But public Inn
provement projects involving huge sums
which have already been started. must
be finished out Of next years general
fund.
That will leave less than nothing for
policemens' salary increases, firemens'
salary increases, increases for employees
Of the inspectors of the sanitary, meter
and building departments, AMI for In
creases for many other employees in
whose behalf their department heads
have conferred with the commission.
Park Board Left Out
Neither will anything be left 10 care
for the $l12,00O increase In appropria-
ton for the park board, which was
formally asked by the board Saturday
morning. The commission promised to
do its best. but it does not zee that
this will mean any more money for
park expansion and improvement.
President MclIendon and Commits
sioner Cloe have several times declared
they would stand fast for the increases
for policemen. and firemen. But they
have never stated where they expect to
find the money, and many Of the uni
formed men are beginning to get anx-
iOus.
1t may be that some Of last years
appropriations will be curtailed in the
new budget, thus making provision for
the police and fire increases. But this
now appears to be the only way in
which the trick can be turned. @