The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-01-28
Claim That General Tax Payer
Must Stand Burden of ALI
Water and Light Extensions
Is Not True New Consum-
ers Pay tle Freight.

Of the propo bond issue. I may be
LOO conser~" We but it is we'll to be
so in munis pal as well as private bus
mess affa: $, The city should proceed
with care in the matter"
Every good citizen appreciates the
value of a conservative business man.
There is nothing radical in the pro-
posed issue. 1t is simply branching
out in business in order that the re-
venue may be increased. This is the
policy of the wise business man. Mr.
McCahill, we think, will agree with us
on this proposition after careful con-
sideration.
s.. Clair Has Queer Idea.
G. A. st. Clair-"Why not bond those
localities that are to be benefited by
the proposed extension? cannot say
that I favor the proposition Of gen.
eral bond issue for the benefit Of local.
ities."
Why bless your heart, Mr. st. Clair,
that is practically what is proposed.
Our property in the suburb is bonded
for Improvements that you enjoy on
East Superior street, and we get no
benefit therefron1. Each locality will
take care Of the interest on the money
expended, and, as has been repeatedly
stated in this article, the general tax
payer will not be called upon to pay
one farthing for them.
Attorney Schmidt is Typical.
Attorney P. c. Schmidt-"The people
of Duluth are bond crazy"
! Why, Mr.. Schmidt, We do not know
whether to take you seriously or not.
There are a good many people In Du-
luth who have private opinions about
the qualifications of certain people for
admission into a lunatic asylum. To
say that the people are bond crazy is
not right. 1t is true that some people
have peculiar notions like our esteemed
friend, Mr.. Schmidt, but it does not
necessarily follow that the people are
bond crazy because they ask for an
additional block of bonds, any more
than they would be saloon crazy if one
more saloon license was granted to any
brewing firm in this city.
! Patterson Needs knowledge.
Edward M. Patterson-'I am opposed
to issuing any more bonds in this city.
The tax payers are already over-bur-
dened."
1 1 sBut Mr.. Patterson. 4ts either 1lisin-
formed OF sunacq united with the situH-
tiot1.<::f We would advise q closer study
Of municipal questions. After what
we have proven it can be readily seen
that the proposed issue will not in
crease the burden Of taxation.
Judge MiddIecoff en- (. Tangent.
J. b. Midd}ecoff-" city has
enough bonded Indebtedness now, and,
in my opinion, it is about time that a
halt should be called. believe, how
ever that West Dul luth ought to have
AS many improvements as the city can
afford to put in there. AS for Park
Point, l am not in favor Of extending
the gas mains over there; gas on Park
| Point would be too much of a luxury"
Why. Judge, we are surprised. There
must be tyEogra phical error or a mis-
quotation. Is gas too much of a luxury
for any person in this year Of the
twentieth century? Why discriminate
between West Duluth and Park Point
Is not one part Of the great Zenith
City as important as another?
! Thornton and His Notions.
| Chas. Fl. Thornton points out some
of the weak points in the management
of the water and light plant, but he
gives no valid reason why the bond
issue should not carry. 1t is true that
but little account is paid to deprecia-
ton in municipality owned enterprises
This is due to the fact that the men
who inaugurated the system in Du-
luth did not have a clear conception
Of the proposition, but it does not nee
essarily follow that municipal owner
ship is a failure. Any defects in the
system will be remedied with exper-
! ience MIR. Thornton makes one good
suggestion when he recommends the
frontage tax in preference to a bond
ISSUE But this will require a charter
amendment, and would also call for
considerable opposition from holders
Of uninproved property. Beyond this
Mr.. Thornton is weak. He criticises
the methods of the water and light
department, and conceedes by opposing
the bond issue. The gentleman should
be consistent.
Vote for the bond issue now, and
boom the suggested charter amend.
|ment for frontage tax after. It would
seem that this would be the better
business plan.
I-1eh~L -pAnE uAl0Alore