The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine Maine Town Documents Maine Government Documents 1917 Fifty-Fourth Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenses of the City Of Lewiston for the Fiscal Year Ending February 28, 1917 Together with Annual Reports and Papers Relating to the Affairs of the City Lewiston (Me.) Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/towndocs Repository Citation Lewiston (Me.), "Fifty-Fourth Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenses of the City Of Lewiston for the Fiscal Year Ending February 28, 1917 Together with Annual Reports and Papers Relating to the Affairs of the City" (1917). Maine Town Documents. 4795. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/towndocs/4795 This Report is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in Maine Town Documents by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ,074-1 u Fifty-Fourth Annual Report OF T H E RECEIPTS AND EXPENSES OF T H E City of Lewiston FOR T H E Fiscal Year Ending February 28 1917 TOGETHER WITH ANNUAL REPORTS AND PAPERS RELATING TO THE AFFAIRS OF THE CITY Printed By THE ROYAL PRESS Lewiston, Me. CITY OF LEWISTON In Board of Mayor and Aldermen, March 14, 1917. ORDERED, The Common Council concurring, That the Committee on Printing be and is hereby authorized to have printed one thousand copies of this year’s annual reports of the receipts and expenditures of the last year and included such other reports and public documents as in its judgment it may deem proper, expense of same to be charged to appro­ priation for printing when made. Read, passed and sent down. CHARLES P. LEMAIRE, City Clerk. In Common Council, March 14, 1917. Read twice under suspension of the rules, and passed in concurrence. CYRILLE LABRANCHE, Jr., Clerk pro term. M A Y O R ’S ADDRESS MARCH 19, 1917 To the Members of the City Council: My message to you this morning is not long and it is not involved. I do not intend to cumber up the day with vain promises of deeds to be done and boasts, but would rather relate to you a few ambitions of my office and urge you to see their wisdom as it appeals to me. First, I would suggest we are all public servants of the city and that while the people may have been interested to a certain extent in the politics and side lights of the campaign which closed two weeks ago to-day they are now primarily interested in what we are going to do for them, not what political party elected us to office. The people of the City of Lewiston are more interested to know to-day to what avenues of expenditure we propose to turn the city’s moneys, in what way we propose to serve the city. So, I would commend to you, if I may, forgetfulness that a political party elected you to office, that for several weeks you were perhaps active and energetic in perfecting a political organization, and would have you work with me in an in- tellient and conscientious efford to make Lewiston a better * and busier city, recognizing its civic pride and the fact that we are the guardians of the 27,000 souls that lives within its limits. In no other way, can the tax payers secure results for their money. If a few democrats and a few republicans, but a mere handful of the people of this great city, fritter away their opportunities and duties in political squabbles and at cross purposes, the year would have been in vain and not one of us would desen e the esteem and respect of our fellow- citizens. So let us resolve on this inauguration day, to inaugurate a new era in the municipal life of our city, striving ever to do our best, eager to serve our city, and just as eager to stamp down an unrighteous proposition whether it originates in our own political circles or that of an opponent. I am sure that the city council represents the best men in our city and that we all desire to continue the prosperity of the City of Lewiston. There are a few things that I would speak to you about. The appeal to me as worthy objects of your attention and as of benefit to the tax-payers of the City of Lewiston. 4 CITY OF LEWISTON The finances of Lewiston have been the object of con­ siderable attack and speculation. It is my firm intention, and I ask your co-operation in the matter. Certain changes in the method of conducting business, notably the introduction of a requisition system last year, and the natural evolution that comes to any big institutions, cities or corporations make for changes in an old established system. It is very easy sometimes to follow a policy of destruction and disastrous criticism rather than one of construction and painstaking research. I hardly think the services of an ex­ pensive accountant is needed for such a matter. The con­ dition of our city is not such an involved matter that any one of you with any business ability could not step into the teas- urer’s or auditor’s offices and tell within a few hours the condition of the city. I make this as a suggestion for your consideration; instead of employing a firm of accountants who will charge the city from $1500.00 to $2000.00 for their work, that the city govern­ ment authorize two well known Lewiston gentlemen of un­ questioned integrity and skilled in the financial art and let us select one of each party so there will be no question of partner­ ship, and I would suggest for your consideration, Hon. George Pottle and Hon. T. F. Callahan as the two men to examine and report. From my understanding of the situation it is not necessary at all to spend a large sum of money to go over the situation when these two gentlemen can investigate and report to this city, and their report will be accepted by the citizens as the correct condition of our city. The new issue of serial bonds amounting to $200, 000 of which $5000 becomed due every year is a step in the right direction and in accord with a scientific and modern concep­ tion of city business. STREET SEWERS AND WATERWORKS In the great water and street departments that are the source of the very life of our city and by whose growth alone the actual growth of the city can be measured and on whose expansion and amplication, depends the extension of the city, I believe in a careful and warranted extension. Our city spreads out its fingers like the petals of an unfolding flower. A ride on the trolley cars in any direction out of the city show's the enormous strides that have been made in the last few years. These people are children of the city, they are the pioneers of the bigger Lewiston, the busier Lewiston and the 50,000 population Lewiston which I believe is destined to come. They must receive the fullest benefit possible for the money they pay in taxes, not, of course, at the expense of other sections MAYOR’S ADDRESS 5 of the city but as conditions warrant and when careful in­ vestigation demands it. They should have streets, and water works and sewers. The building of permanent streets and sidewalks is an­ other matter upon which I'am sure you will assist me. The meeting of our street problem is a big one and I have great confidence in the Public Works Department to carry on its work intelliently and with the greatest regard for economy and business. Too much importance can not be laid upon the road problem not only in the State of Maine but in the City of Lewiston. I believe one of our greatest and best in­ vestments is the better roads and streets. I believe in the extension of the park system and in beau­ tifying our city as we may and providing breathing places for its busy industry. COAL YARD I want to touch on the municipal proposition. I shall use all of my power to continue to run the yard and will ask the council to appoint a committee of one Alderman and one Councilman to work with me. I have been in conference with Mayor Brann several times this last week and have gone over his exhaustive report on the yard up to date and am convinced of the great value to the citizens of continuing this Municipal coal yard. There are several problems beginning to enter into the yard that must be confronted with calmness and forethought. It has been demonstrated without a doubt that the yard was run according to law and by that I mean at “no financial profit”. The report shows that there was no financial loss, some thing which the enemies of the yard have charged at various times. All over this State, coal yards similiar to ours are starting up. Reading a great Philadelphia newspaper the other day of work that cities were doing, I found our City of Lewiston, heading the list with mention of its municipal coal yard. Portland after investigation of our yard decided to go ahead This is one of the early matters that I would ask your assistance in. SCHOOLS The public school system is one that demands our at­ tention to some degree although we have a school committee.