Council Proceedings: April 1 and April 30, 1904

should have the right to regulate both the rates and the service of all persons or corporations holding franchises in this city, and it is my opinion that the power of municipal ownership, which is now confined in this city to the waterworks and street lighting, should be enlarged to include all of the natural monopolies or public utilities in Fort Worth---not with a view of disturbing the vested rights of those corporations now in existence, but for the purpose of preserving to the citizens the right to own public franchise in the future. After a careful study of the situation for some years I am convinced that no public franchise should be given away or sold by the City Council without a vote of the citizens thereon. In other words, the right of final action-- or the ultimate veto power---should reside in the qualified voters of this city. All of the evils of legislation grow out of the fact that the right of final action under charters like that of Fort Worth is placed in the hands of a few members of the city council, and very frequently in large cities one or two men by their weight and influence fix and determine the legislation of those cities. This should be amended to give to the citizens direct legislation in legislative matters. The right of voluntary action and final approval should both be vested inalienably in the qualified voters of Fort Worth

Percentage of gross receipts.

One of the things accomplished during the present administration has been the establishment of the precedent of demanding of corporations seeking public franchises a percentage of the gross receipts of such franchises and limiting the life of the franchise to a given period of years. If this be followed and the city charter be amended so as to enable the city at the end of these grants to operate such public utilities through municipal ownership, the franchises will eventually become a source of great revenue to the city. I regard this precedent as being of inestimable value to the city, and feel sure that it will not

history, and the best indication of this is to be found in the scholastic census which year by year shows large gains. The taxable values are increasing by the millions year by year, and with careful, conservative management and the continuing general prosperity of our country, Forth Worth ^should soon be placed in the front rank of Texas cities. To accomplish this it is imperatively necessary that the system of "Pay as you go" and avoid bond issues should be followed in the future.

In conclusion, I desire to express my gratification of the results of the efforts of the City Council to bring Fort Worth back into a position where she can utilize her natural advantages and give to the citizens needed permanent improvements and a good and substantial government in all departments of the municipality. During the four years that we have been together there has never been any serious difference in regard to municipal affairs, and it is with a considerable degree of pride that I look back and recount the many difficulties that have been overcome, and then view the strong foundation we now have for a great city in the future; and with the hope that the next two years will show as great if not a greater increase in the material value and prosperity of Fort Worth as has been shown in the past two years, I am, with grateful appreciation of the many courtesies shown me by the council, Very truly,

Your obedient servant,

Thomas J. Powell Mayor.

be diverted from in the future. Several of the cities of Texas have adopted the referendum, or direct legislation in municipal affairs, and Fort Worth will do well to follow their example.

Salaries. There should be some equitable arrangement of the salaries of the officials and employes of Fort Worth. It is a known fact that some of the subordinate employes receive salaries that are too small to permit them to enjoy more than the bare necessities of life, and while this matter has been up before the City Council before, I sincerely trust that in the coming budget a more equitable adjustment of salaries can be made. The responsibilities and duties of officials increases year by year, and the cost of living has largely increased in the last few years; and if this continues and no increase be made in the salaries of the subordinate employes, it will work a hardship upon the efficiency of the administration of affairs in this city.

Taxation. Fort Worth's real estate has borne the brunt of taxation for many years, and at present the valuations for taxable purposes have about reached the limit. That there is a large quantity of personal property in Fort Worth that escapes taxation there can be no doubt. If a table of the insured values of personal property in the city could be obtained I feel sure that it would show several millions of property that has not been reached by taxation. Whether this can be remedied or not is a question, but under the law, personal property, if possible, should be made to bear its pro rata of the burdens of municipal government. I do not believe any radical steps should be taken in this line, but the board of equalization should endeavor to get as far as possible a fair valuation upon the personal property in Fort Worth.

The outlook for the future. Fort Worth is growing more rapidly than ever before in its

City of Fort Worth

Mayor's Annual Message.

1

Filed 4/6/04 Jno T. Montgomery City Secty

JOHN T. MONTGOMERY City Secretary

W.J. ESTES Assistant

CITY OF FORT WORTH. OFFICE OF CITY SECRETARY.

Fort Worth, Tex. April 14 1904

The Hon. Mayor & City Council. Gentlemen:

I hereby present my application for position as Sup't of Dumping Grounds.

Respectfully, James Moss.