The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-20
URGES UNITED ACTION,
Plan Proposed by Mayor Sutro
to Block the Big Tax
Levy.
HIS OFFICIAL HANDS TIED.
Ready to Join the Taxpayers In
Bringing a Suit to Enjoin
Further Action.

Mayor Sutro is working his level best to
block the 50 25 tax levy imposed by the
Board OF Supervisors at their last meet
strictions that bind his Office. Every point
under the City ordinances was seized by
the Solid Eight in order to carry through
their plans. The tax levy was adopted by
resolution instead of being passed as an
ordinance so it will not be sent to Mayor
Sutro for his consideration.
According to the plan mapped out the
Eight Supervisors will go right ahead
with their work as if the Mayor did not
exist. They propose to dictate what rate
the taxpayers shall pay and how the
money shall be apportioned among the
different funds. In due time, if nothing
occurs to block them. the proper notices
will be served upon Auditor Broderick and
the distribution of the money will be made
as they direct.
Can their action be blockedP
Mayor Sutro thinks it can if the citizens
who are now organized to guard the public
welfare will make themselves felt. The
Mayor said yesterday:
l want to do everything in my power to
help the City, but in this matter my
lawyers ought to be engaged to fight this
matter; to serve an injunction upon the
Auditor from carrying out these extravagant
orders of the board. The City does not give
me a lawyer to go to for advice in this crisis.
cannot employ one unless it is at my own prf-
vate expense. l have been doing that right
along, but this is an extraordinary case and
ought to have some help from the taxpayers,
who have so much at stake. The City and
County Attorney is at the call of the Board of
Supervisors in this instance. and they have the
advantage of intrenchment in the municipal
stronghold. firmly believe, though, that they
can be easily ousted if the right course is
taken.
In all fairness this tax levy ought to have
been sent TO me fer consideration, but the Su-
pervisors avoided that point by adopting 1t as
q resolution. They have been passing real or
dinances in the shape OF resolutions right
along OF late so as to get their pet measures
through without chance of my veto. They
ignore my office right along.
The consolida ton act gives me the right to
veto an ordinance. The tax levy should be in
the shape of an ordinance, and not resolu-
ton. They have dug up some decision OF the
Supreme Court, which they claim gets around
the point. The only way to settle the matter
is by an appeal to the courts. From the au-
vice have received up to date believe we
can beat them. But 1 ought to have help in
the matter. AS Mayor, as l said, my hands are
tied; but as a citizen l can do as much as
any body, and IN more than willing.
This is time for prompt action; not time
for the taxpayer to tamely submit till 1t is too
late and then grum Dllngly pay MS rate ana
lay the blame on other people. The banks
and other big taxpayers are deeply interested
in this matter. So is the Civic Federation and
organizations of kindred aims. Why don't
they combine at once for united action? Let
them appoint good strong committee that
will work thoroughly, sensibly and energeti-
cally in this matter. The cost OF it ought to be
very small if 1.-THE OF the men who ought to
be interested will only take action. When the
plan of campaign is mapped out, all we want
is a live and brainy lawyer to drive the case to
a conclusion in the court.
The great number of taxpayers can't find a
better investment for their money in the next
two years than by contributing to such fight
Besides, in this contest we may discover way
of keeping rapacious Supervisors within a
proper limit in taxing the people. AS the case
stands now OF what avail is the law, and what
faith can be placed in the pledge OF candidates
before election?
Speedy and united action is what is needed
now if the taxpayers want this extrayagant
tax levy OF 81 25 cut down.