$3,070,777. The
damage was $142,050.

The average fire loss for eighteen years was $123,647.

Sanitary Department.

Atlanta spent $109,023.54 on sanitation in 1903, and about 250 men were
employed under the Board of Health in keeping the city clean. There are
the usual precautions in infectious and contagious diseases. The
sewer-system of the city was constructed on a plan designed by Rudolph
Hering, of New York.

[Illustration: EQUITABLE BUILDING.]

Mortuary Record.

The deaths from diseases in Atlanta during 1903 were 1,941, of which 926
were of white people and 1,015 of colored. The population within the
corporate limits in the census year was 89,872. In 1903 it was estimated
by the Sanitary Department at 110,000. This makes the rate of mortality
17.64. Of the population in 1903, it is estimated that 44,000 were colored
and 66,000 were white, which makes the rate of mortality 23.06 for colored
and 14.03 for white.

Waterworks.

The Waterworks Department of Atlanta has one of the best plants in the
country and furnishes pure water at the nominal price of ten cents per
thousand gallons for domestic consumption. Liberal rates are made to
manufacturers, and even at the low prices charged, the Department pays a
handsome net revenue to the city.

The works have a daily pumping capacity of 35,000,000 gallons, and the
actual consumption in 1903 was 9,136,277 gallons per day. The supply comes
from the Chattahoochee River, above the city, and above the mouth of
Peachtree Creek. The river flows down from the mountain section, which is
sparsely settled, and so far the supply is satisfactory. The water passes
through a settling basin, after which it is filtered, and comes to the
city as clear as crystal.

Sewers.

In addition to the amount disbursed by the Sanitary Department, the city
spent $55,765.43 the same year in constructing sewers.

Streets.

During 1903 Atlanta spent $70,913.08 on streets. Since 1880 the city has
spent $3,827,171 on streets, sewers and sidewalks. There are 64.34 miles
of paved streets, 233.04 miles of paved sidewalks, and 106.21 miles of
sewers. There are seven miles of asphalt streets and several miles of
vitrified brick. The rest is paved with granite blocks, chert and macadam.

Boulevards.

Atlanta has some beautiful streets for driving. Peachtree, Washington,
Whitehall and Peters Streets and Capitol Avenue are paved with asphalt,
and this smooth surface makes a fin