The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-04
THAT POOR DOC.
His Tax Is at Last to Be
Increased
Judiciary Committee Proposes a
Sliding Scale.
AFTER MARCH 1, So.
Owners May Get 81 Rate Before
That Time.
The City Needs Money Within q
Few Days.

An office in the city hall, a big desk
with a roll top, a ground glass sign
over the door and perhaps This is my
busy day. posted on conspicuous
wall: these are the aristocratic joys
which may be the fortune of the future
dog tax collector of the city Of To-
peka. Instead of lurking in the alleys
intent on numbering a tagiess canine,
the new style dog tax collector VIII SIT
in his swivel chair. take in the money
when people bring 1t to him, and use
up writing fluid and big record books.
incidentally, the dog tax collector s
pay will be raised, and in addition to
occupying an office of his own, he will
give a bond for 1900 or so.
To conform with this degree OF ele-
gance, the judiciary committee this
morning decided that it would be nee
after January 1. Tags for male dogs
will cost So instead of |; for female
dogs. 81 instead of S.. This advanced
rate, however. will be in effect only
March 1. the dog tags will be quoted
at the present price. The object Is to
make people bring their dog tax to the
collector, instead of making the col
lector go out after the money.
The ordinance providing for all these
things has not yet been drawn up, but
these were the points talked over by the
committee this morning, and Dog Tax
Collector Younkin, who was present at
the meeting, was instructed to draw up
the ordinance and present it to the next
meeting of the committee, which will
probably be about December 9.
This revision of the dog tax ordinance
has been hanging fire since last May, at
which time it was introduced by Coun-
Gilman George Neil. It was bitterly
opposed by the Humane society at that
time. and by G. c. Clemens. and to
avoid conflict with these people it was
finally sidetracked. The agitation fe-
suited in a payment of over $1,000 dog
tax at the city clerks office. People
brought their money to the city instead
of waiting for the collector, because they
thought the rate was going to be raised.
Is it possible that the city council is
starting up another scare this year to
repeat last years stampede?
CITY MUST HAVE MONEY QUICK.
Unless the city of Topeka can scare
up $1,000 somewhere before December
Is, it is going to be in the condition
that Mr.. Elijah Dowie now is, or some
thing like it.
On December Is the city has agreed
to pay $1,000 to the Barber Asphalt
paving company. This agreement was
made because 1t was thought that the
$50, 900 refunding bonds would have been
issued and sold by that time, and the
treasury would be full. Instead of hav-
ing issued the bonds, the city council
has not even agreed upon the terms of
the ordinance authorizing the issuance.
The judiciary committee took up the
consideration Of this bond ordinance
this morning, and decided to refer it
back to the council without recommen-
dation. This means that the city wasted
just three weeks in foolish and unneces-
sary red tape.
The bond ordinance was drawn up by
the ways and means committee and
the city attorney. 1t provides for an
issue of per cent. bonds running 20
years. Everybody admits that this is
a good thing for the banks and bond
buyers. But some city officials are so
afraid that the city can't sell 4 per
saddle S30.000 extra, interest on the city
and close the deal I'D promptly Be
sides it is figured that by issuing per
cent. bonds the city will get some pre-
MUM out of it. and this will be just SO
much velvet for the council to spend.
And of course the council is ALWAYS on
the look ont for spending money.
Monday night the council If it meets,
will take up this bond ordinance and
pass it in some shape. It may cut
down the rate of interest from to 4
per cent. OF course all the bankers
say that 5 Per cent. bonds are the only
kind the city can sell now.
NO LICENSES FOR OLD SOLDIERS.
The committee rejected the ordinance
introduced by Councilman Swendson
providing for free licenses for honor
ably discharged soldiers and sailors of
the United States. The committee de-
cided that it would get into a lot OF
complications by passing such an ordi-
nance. and that it conflicts with some
of the provisions of the statutes.
The application of the Westminster
Presbyterian church for exemption from
it's sewer tax was rejected.