Council Proceedings: April 17, 1898

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ents my heartfelt thanks to the officers and men for the manner in which they, one and all, discharge the onerous duties imposed upon them.

Streets and Alleys.

While the streets of Fort Worth are not in as good condition as might be desired, they are so far superior to those of many larger and more pretentious cities that we should be satisfied. The chronic grumbler who complains of the unevenness of some of our streets should go away from home occasionally and examine the streets of other cities and he would be better satisfied with our own.

No other City in the country of 40,000 people, ro matter of what age, can exhibit 86 miles of graded and paved streets and 44 miles of sewers. Tha the street paving is not as durable as could be desired is conceded, and that the expense of maintainance is greater by reason of this want of durability is admitted, but altogether the City has good reason to be proud of its highways.

The "cloudburst" which visited the City in June of last year did such great damage to the streets that the cost of repairs greatly exceeded the allowance for the current year. But the damage was extraordinary and unusual and criticism of the extra expenditure would be unwarranted and unjust.

During the past year, more durable and lasting material has been used in repairs ans the hope is indulged that this may be still improved in the near future.

Water Works.

The annual report of the Superintendent of the Water Works has been placed in your hands and I trust has received careful

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perusal. It is highly gratifying to me and must be to you. The total earnings of the department shows a marked increase and the operating expense a small decrease. The expenditures would have been still further reduced but for the scarcity of water necessitating the operation of the old plant for many weeks during the summer, which, not only requires an additional force, but a much greater increase in fuel, and that of higher grade and increased cost. The net earnings for the year were $11.264.56 and a considerable reduction was made to the consumer in the early part of the year.

While the machinery and pipe line are ample and adequate, the supply of water is not as abundant as could be desired.

This deficiency can be supplied only by the construction of a reservoir and storage basin. Three years ago, I called the attention of Council to the necessity of this improvement and urged its construction. At that time it was possible and practicable. The necessity is now more imperative than then, by reason of the growth of the City and the large increase of consumers, but we are powerless at this time to do the necessary work.

The "charter tinkerers" alluded to in the opening paragraphs of this paper, deprived the City, unintentionally, I am persuaded, of the authority to enlarge the water works to meet the growing demand upon them. Amendments to your organic law are essential before any improvement can be made. The City might be distroyed by fire, disease might ravage our homes, but the government would be powerless under the present charter to supply more water. It would seem only necessary to call attention to this defect to secure the requisite legislation to remedy the evil.

9.

I desire to thank the Superintendent and his corps of assistance and employees for the remarkably good showing made under such unfavorable conditions.

Street Lighting.

The Electric Light Plant belonging to the City is under the same management as the water works, and show the same economical and efficient care. Our streets are lighted by 68 arc lamps of 2000 C. P. each, and 402 incandescant lamps of 30 C. P. each. Additional lamps are requested by citizens of the outlying parts of the City, but the dynamos are now carrying their full capacity, and improvement in this direction must await an increase either in values or the rates of taxation.

The cost of lighting the streets for the last Fiscal year was $4,979.55 exclusive of interest on the plant; or $7,619.55 including interest and maintainance. I challenge comparison with these figures from any municipality in Christendom.

Public Schools.

The Public schools of the City have been its pride from their inception. The education of our youth is a matter of such prime importance that every other interest should be subordinated to it. An unfortunate friction, to which your Mayor, the Chairman exofficio of the Board of Trustees, was a party, was not conducive to the welfare of the schools. It would be unprofitable to enter into a discussion of the merits of the controversy. The facts are familiar to you all, and your opinions are already formed. I allude to them only to solicit your good offices to prevent a repetition, if possible, of this unfortunate episode.

The school buildings will soon be inadequate to the demands of our increasing population and many buildings and rooms are

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over crowded. Just what we are going to do about it, I am at a loss to conceive. But a remedy must be found, and I respectfully solicit your aid and counsel in the matter.

Electric Equipment.

If ever a City was cursed by the criminal negligence and wanton indifference of some of those to whom valuable franchises have been given for the construction of street Railways and other electrical equipments, that City is Fort Worth.

Corporations to whom valuable concessions have been made seem wholly indifferent to the rights of the public. By reason of the defective construction and negligence in the maintainance of their property it is a source of constant menace to the lives, limbs and property of the people who have favoured them. They are deaf to every appeal, callous to every remonstrance, and unmindful of every obligation assumed when the franchise was granted. This abuse is so flagrant, so notorious and so well known to you, that it is unnecessary to be more specific. The one among you who can discover the remedy and the method of application will be a public benefactor and a long suffering and patient people will forgive you generously for any sin of commission or omission of which you may be guilty.

In this connection, I beg to suggest the adoption of an ordinance providing that here after no franchise of any character be gratuitously bestowed upon any person or corporation, but that payment be made the City for any such privilege, that it may in part be compensated for losses sustained by incompetence or negligence.

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The City Charter.

The charter of any City is the organic law which it exists and performs its functions. From and through it is derived all the authority it seeks to exercise. Only such powers as are conferred upon by its charter can be exercised.

The present charter was originally framed to meet the demands of a City of 10,000 people. Our City is now the home of 40000 souls and has long since outgrown the requirements of a village. Amendments have been made from time to time to meet increasing demands to correct existing errors and to meet the personal views whims or caprices of individuals, until it is a bundle of contradiction, inconsistences and incongruities.

An effort should be made to secure from the next legislature a charter consistent with the necessities of the City. To this end I invite the careful and patriotic consideration of the Council and the good people of the City.

I conclusion I desire to impress upon you the necessity of exercising economy in every department of the City Government. The fact that there is money in every fund of the City is a temptation to yield to the requests of our constituents for improvements which, while they may be desireable, are not imperative. The time will come before the fiscal year is ended when we will need the money, and need it badly. The great reduction in assessed valuations and in the tax rate has greatly reduced our income and our expenditures will have to be curtailed accordingly.

I indulge the hope that harmony and unity of purpose may prevail in every department and branch of the City Government that the best possible results may be obtained.