Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1915 — MAYOR SUTLER'S ANNUAL MESSAGE [ARTICLE]

MAYOR SUTLER'S ANNUAL MESSAGE

Compliments Oonndlnia wd Borinri Post I«r, M*M»I Financial S tat ament. The city council met in regular session Monday evening, all members being present except Councilman Warner. A petition otf C. W. Spencer, et al tor a street light on River street near the ball park was referred to the light committee. Ordinance 161 providing for the removal of overhead signs was passed to the third reading. Ordinance 161 providing for keeping sidewalks clear of ice and snow was passed to second reading. Mayor Spitler presented his first annual report as provided by a new lßw. The report follows:

•fro the Common Council: Gentlemen: As contemplated by the statute of the state of Indiana, I herewith submit for your consideration my first annual message as mayor of the city of Rensselaer, over whose affairs you have had Jurisdiction for the past year, and to meditate on those things you have performed, consider the present condition of the city’s affairs, and to discuss those things which should receive your- best consideration this year. To begin with, I desire to compliment the council for the manner In which they have so conscientiously and efficiently conducted the business of the city during your first year in managing its affairs and especially for the installation of the present lighting system along blocks 3,4, 9 and the public square on Washington street, having secured the very latest device for that purpose at the minimum cos£ of procuring and maintaining . the same, and the manner in which the public, whose interest you serve, in approving this new innovation should encourage you to extend the system as rapidly and ‘ar in the places or along the streets used by the most people as the financial condition of the city will warrant. Before taking up the subjects needing attention during the coming year it is advisable to cpnsider the presept financial condition o that we may know just what we have to do with, and give our efforts to those things that are of the most importance to the public welfare, and we find a balance in the electric light fund of 13,555.20; hut this fund also has a credit of $2,000 in the road hind, and the monthly earning of the plant brings in an average of about $1,200, in addition to the taxj which amounts to about $2,800 per year, so that it is evident that this fund 1s in good condition, and we ought to be able to make some extensive improvements during the year. In the water fund we find a balance on December 31, 1914, of $6,502.34, and the monthly receipts

or rather quarterly receipts aggregate an annual income of $4,000, and the tax will add about $2,300 more per year, making the funds in this department in good condition; but owing to the fact that neither in summer or winter with the present equipment working constantly can enough water be pumped ahead to furnish *a head with which to meet a conflagration should one occur, and it is evident beyond all question that in ord r r to preserve our resources and protect the public property it will be necessary to install as soon . s the same can be done, a complete meter system, and I have no doubt that the committee will be able to handle this question with the same success that the other installations have been installed. Out of this fund must be paid the water works mortgage bonds, now amounting to $25,000, of which sum SI,OOO will be due February 1, 1915, together with the interest on the unpaid balance. At this point I desire to suggest that heretofore the entire salaries of the city clerk and the city treasurer have been paid out of the corporation fund, while the major portion of their time and talent is employed with the water and light funds, and it is my opinion that It will be right and proper that at least half of the salary of these officers be paid out of the light and water funds. Our greatest problems are In connection with the corporation and road funds, owing to the fact that these funds are consumers and qot producers, and the entire revenue supplied to these funds depends upon direct taxation of the taxable property of the city. At the present time there is a balance o* $730.06 In the corporation fund, which, with judicious handling, may be made to meet the current expense charged to this fund run until the next tax payment; but in the road fund we find a less hopeful condition. The improvement of Washington street with a brick pavement contracted by our predecessors has burdened this fund with a debt of about $2,500,

and as the maintenance of the streets and alleys require about all of tbe receipts in this fund collected through the taxing agencies it will require the most economical administration of these affairs to keep up the present standard i our streets and alleys and pay this obligation during youif term of office; but I feel confident that you will be able to accomplish this, and 1 believe that the streets can be pro served better and more economically by keeping them properly oiled than by any other method, and I believe that this council is better able to procure the material and secure the labor necessary to ’.o this than by any other plan, and I trust you will give the matter serious consideration with the least delay possible, and in ample time to have the same accomplishing its purpose before the heat and dust of the summer become a burden to the citizens.

The garbage question, which also is a tax uipon this fund, is a serious problem to be solved on account of the limited funds with which to meet it. In justice to the taxpayer in generaT it is necessary if you. are to perform your duties impartially to either cease to furnish free delivery for the business men around the square or to put on enough force and equipment to render the same service to all residents of the city that you do to the business men in the downtown district. I think this question should be decided before the spring clean-up begins, and that you should give it careful consideration.

Owing to the fact that the sewers of the city have not been laid on a systematic plan creates a great deal of troulbel and expense, and I am of the opinion that it will be necessary sooner or later to procure a renovating machine. 1 feel that it is your duty to Investigate the different makes of these machiine.s, the cost and maintenance of the same, as well as cost of operation, with a view of procuring one provided one can be found that will at the same time meet our needs and o available resources for that purpose. I think it might -be advisable for the park committee to take up the matter of awarding prizes for the best kept lawns in the city and that an appropriation might be made from that fund to furnish the prizes, believing that such action will result in the making of our city more beautiful and healthy. ' ■ ' ' I do not have in mind any suggestions to make for the betterment of our fire department; but desire to congratulate the fire committee, the fire cliirif, and the firemen on the yery excellent record og this department. Believing that; your interests will nqt lag, and that you will continue your earnest efforts to the end that the spirit of progress heretofore maintained in our city will continue, and that the enviable reputation our city has throughout the land as- the prettiest, healthiest and cleanest city of its size anywhere, will be more widely and thoroughly established. Respectfully submitted, CHARLES G.' SPITLER, Mayor.

The following claims were allowed : Corporation Fund. W R Shcsler, salary marshall 30.00 Prank Crttser, same nightwch 30.00 Vem Robinson, work city hi '4.00 Dr J H Hansson, medical serv 3.00 J J Montgomery, exp 19.50 Rens Fire Dept, alarm Jan 22 13.50 Road Fund. Chester Zea, salary teamster 30.00 John Richards, work on sew 5.40 Harrington Bros, Corn, etc 20.60 Matthew Worden, harness re 47.40 Smith & Kellner, cement wk 197.68 Hiram Day, same 23.10 Smith & Kellner, same .... 184.67 Harry Swartzcll, clean walks 3.30 ' Water Fund. John Richards, work on mn * 4.50 C M Sands, frt paid .54 Oiling Streets. C M Sands, paid contractor 258.16 Angelica Street Sewer. C M Sands, pd contractor.. 50.00 Electric Light Fund. C S Chamberlain, salary, .etc 62.75 Tom Hoyes, salary 35.00 T E Malone, same 35.00 Dick Hartman, same ........ 35.00 Dave Haste, same 35.00 Jesse Gates, haul coal ...... 28.02 W H Beam, old lamp posts 2.40 Geo Cutler Co, sup 6.35 Monon Coal Co,.coal ........ 107.42 C M Sands, frt W. 128.11 J C Gwln Co, lumber 7.22 B P Pendlg, sup 26.07