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COUNCIL CHAMBER, September 12th, 1918.

The regular monthly meeting of the Common Council was held on this date with the following members present: Councilmen Elliott, Forrest, Gleason, Huyett, Long, Irvine, Via and Smith.

Minutes of the meeting of August 8th and September 2nd were rad and approved.

MAYOR’S ANNUAL MESSAGE.

The annual message of His Honor, The Mayor, was presented, read and referred to the Special Committee on Organization, as follows:

To the Presidents and Members of the Board of Aldermen and Council: Gentlemen: As the Auditor will give you a detailed statement of our financial; affairs and the City Manager a report of what has been done, and taking it for granted that you have looked into the physical condition of the City and can pass on costs and results obtained. I feel that it is only necessary for me to give you figures to show the difference in the cost of doing business under existing conditions and the cost under former conditions, which I trust will cause you to consider well before outlining your plans for another year.

For the fiscal year ending September 1st, 1916, the revenues of the City from all sources amounted to $179,997.83. The amount expended that year was $181,221.20. This was about all collected and spent in the old territory. Our floating debt then was only $18,232.90. From the new territory that year we collected about $1,203.00, and spent in the new territory about $12,691.73. Our floating debt that year ran up to $45,364.00. For the year ending September 1st, 1918, the revenues from the old city amounted to about $196,521.00, and the expenditures amounted to about $194,392.46. From the new territory this year the revenues amounted to about $20,913.00 and the expenditures to about $17,345.43, and our floating debt is now $39,668.00, being about $21,000.00 more than it was two years ago. Notwithstanding our revenues from the old city were about $8,000.00 more in 1917 than they were in 1916, and in 1918 the revenues from the old city were about $16,000.00 more that in 1916.

Now gentlemen, we all know that we have never known such times and conditions as we are now living under. Almost impossible to get labor, and when gotten at prices never before heard of in this city. Material very, very hard to get, and at enormous prices. In some cases, prices are prohibitive. Under these conditions, I say we should call a halt. Expenditures should be curtailed in every conceivable way until times become nearer normal. Nothing should be undertaken that can wait. And only do such things as are actually necessary to save the city from danger. And in making your appropriations act with the view of reducing the floating debt instead of allowing it to increase as it has done in the last two years.

Respectively submitted,
(Signed) E. G. Haden
Mayor.

His Honor, The Mayor, advised the Council of the following resignations and and appointments:

RESIGNATION DR. ROBERTSON AND TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT DR. MACON.

The resignation of Dr. R. L. Robertson as Health Officer of the City to take effect September 5th, and the appointment of Dr. W. D. Macon to fill the office until an election is held.

RESIGNATION A.L.HENDERSON APPOINTMENT OF Z.L.DAMERON.

The resignation of A. L, Henderson as Chief of Police to take effect September 1st, and the appointment of Z. L. Dameron to act as Chief Police until an election is held to fill the vacancy.

APPOINTMENT SPECIAL POLICEMEN.

The appointment of W. S. Kennedy and R. W. Durrett as special policemen. Mr. Durrett to receive pay only when called on for service.

IN RE. MRS. MEREDITH THOMAS’ FINANCIAL CONDITION.

The attention of the Council was called to the financial condition of Mrs. Meredith Thomas, whose husband lost his life while serving as a member of the police force of the city. The matter was referred to the Committee on Public Safety to investigate and report.

LIGHT FOR FIFTEENTH STREET.

A petition from citizens on Fifteenth Street and vicinity asking that a light be placed in the rear of the residence of Mr. J. S. Fitch was referred to the Light Committee and City Manager with instructions to investigate the light condition on the whole street, and report to the Council.

PROPERTY LINE FOR W. D. WEAVER

A communication was received from Mr. W. D. Weaver asking that the city take...