The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine Maine Town Documents Maine Government Documents 1921 Fifty-Eight Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenses of the City of Lewiston for the Fiscal Year Ending Feb. 28, 1921, 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-Eight Annual Report of the Receipts and Expenses of the City of Lewiston for the Fiscal Year Ending Feb. 28, 1921, Together with Annual Reports and Papers Relating to the Affairs of the City" (1921). Maine Town Documents. 4755. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/towndocs/4755 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]. Fifty-Eight Annual Report OF THE RECEIPTS AND EXPENSES OF THE City of Lewiston FOR THE Fiscal Year Ending Feb. 28 1921 TOGETHER WITH ANNUAL REPORTS AND PAPERS RELATING TO THE AFFAIRS OF THE CITY Gentlemen of the City Council: In accordance with the charter, as members elect of the incoming administration, we meet for the purpose of organiza­ tion. It now becomes our duty to formulate a policy for the coming Municipal year. In difference to custom, I wish to review in a general way the situation which confronts us, to make suggestions which occur to me with reference to the existing conditions, and to advise with you as to the best and wisest course to be pursued. Our interests are identical, namely, to ascertain the res­ pective needs of the several departments, and to take care of them so far as the city’s financial condition will permit. Ldt us bear in mind that the city’s affairs should be managed by business methods. We know the temper of the people, and the spirit behind this demand for better things. We were elected upon this platform. The people will be satisfied with nothing less, and in my opinion the man who fails to heed this warning will fall by the wayside, a political suicide. Within the last few years the expenditures of the several departments show a very large increase. This has been out of proportion to the gain in valuation, and retrenchment is now imperative. The cost of living has diminished at least twenty per cent. As a consequence, the price of labor, which enters so largely into the expenses of every department, should decrease in much the same ratio. This increase in expenditure has not been entirely due to war conditions, but largely to unbusinesslike methods in the management of the different departments. The continu­ ance of this course would inevitably result in an empty treasury, and in an impairment of municipal credit. This is shown by the marked difference between the cost and efficien­ cy of service rendered to private enterprises, and of the services rendered to those of a public character. In the employment of labor, a properly managed city, with the certainty of payment, should demand value and efficiency equal to that enjoyed by a private enterprise. The expenditures of this city amount approximately to a million dollars a year, and a substantial percentage of this is dissipated either through lavish expenditure of money, or 4 CITY OF LEWISTON through inefficient service. Even the most cursory examina­ tion of the affairs of the city will demonstrate the truth of this contention. I believe that a businesslike management, such as the people now demand and have a right to expect, will result in saving a very substantial sum of money annually. There should be no difference between the market price of supplies or labor furnished to the city, and the market price of the same when furnished to a private individual or corporation. The heads of departments should be held accountable to a degree commensurate with the importance of their duties, and failure should be charged to the person responsible. This is the way a private concern would handle the situation. Why should not the city pursue the same course? In every business, the market value is the criterion by which to determine the price of commodities or labor. If the purchaser pays the market price he has the legal right to demand is equivalent, whether it be commodities or labor. Men should not be on the pay roll as a political reward, nor for other reasons, unless the service rendered is a just re­ turn for the price paid. No fairminded man will dispute this, and yet such cases are frequent. But you will agree with me that they should not be tolerated. My conception of our duty today, is that we approach the situation with open minds, and that we formulate and carry into effect a well-digested plan for the proper management of the city along business lines so that we may leave its affairs to our successors with every dollar accounted for, and with every department in such condition that no apologies will be due because of inexperience, inefficiency, or needless expendi­ ture. To do this we must begin today to practise intelligent economy. The first step is to exercise business judgment in the selection of subordinates. From the number of applicants, it is apparent that a great many people are willing to parti­ cipate in the management of our city’s affairs. If competent men are selected for tne various positions, on the basis of fitness, and those chosen are held responsible for the proper discharge of their duties, we shall have taken a most import­ ant step toward success. If we fail in this we shall be em­ barrassed throughout the year. We should rid ourselves of the loafer, the dead-head, and above all, the professional poli­ tician. All these belong to the type of undesirable employees. They are all long on talk and short on work. MAYORS ADDRESS 5 During the coming year I trust that nothing will he done which will not bear the closest scrutiny and the fullest publi­ city. Any act of ours which will not bear hones(t criticism by the people and the press, is certain to be fundamentally wrong. I know that you will join in the assurance that we will render all possible assistance in giving every citizen the opportunity to know, through the press, the reason for every official act. Fair and intelligent discussion is the surest guaranty that the rights of all will be protected. Today every one of us represents the whole city, without regard to race, or religion, poverty or wealth, individual or corporation. Our aim is to make Lewiston the busiest and best-governed city in the state. It has a prosperous and law- abiding people. It is well served by railways which radiate in every direction. Through the Chamber of Commerce its commercial interests are united for the promotion of its growth and development. It has a magnificent water power already furnishing energy to many large and prosperous man ufacturing industries, and has a splendid opportunity for its further development, when industrial conditions permit It has the beneficent influence of prosperous churches and ex­ cellent schools. It is the seat of a collegiate institution rank­ ing among those of the highest standing in New England. It has two large hospitals, thoroughly equipped in every detail. And above all, it is a city of homes. All these condi­ tions conspire to make Lewiston the civic and industrial heart of Maine. ORGANIZATION After the organization of the departments, I would sug­ gest that we investigate the condition and needs of each, and that the recommendations made by the several departments be critically analyzed so that we may determine their needs and intelligently make appropriations therefor. If we make our appropriations in accordance with this plan, and then see to it that they are nojt exceeded without imperative necessity, or in case of emergency, we shall have merited the approbation of every good citizen. In the determination of these matters, a competent audi­ tor, who will so perform his duties that every member of this Board can know the condition of each department, would be of inestimable value; and further, it would operate as a deterrant to the useless expenditure of money, whether it is to be made by this Board or by a Commission, 6 CITY OF LEWISTON This can be accomplished. The method can be tried, and if successful, will be followed by future governments to the substantial benefit of the city. This recommendation is ten­ tative only; but it seems to be practical and businesslike, and I trust tiiat this course wTill be pursued if, after a full discus­ sion of its merits, it shall be deemed advisable by the members of this Board. FINANCES The valuation of the city of Lewiston in 1920, was $25,- 885,522; the funded debt; March 1, 1921, was $975,500; and the floating debt was approximately $270,000. This makes the total bonded and floating debt, $1,245,500. The constitutional limitation of indebtedness, applicable to this city, is as follows: “No city or town having less than forty thousand inhabitants, according to the last census taken by the United States, shall hereafter create any debt or lia­ bility which, singly or in the aggregate, with pre­ vious debts or liabilties, shall exceed five per cen­ tum of the last regular valuation of said city or town.59 The city’s constitutional debt limit is, therefore, $1,294,276, and if this floating debt is bonded the whole debt will then be within the constitutional limit.