Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-03-20
Replies to IRIS Publication
of Comparisons---Feels Bad
About the Paving
WANTS LEvlEs EXPLAINED
Believes That Real Test is the Meas
ure of contentment Rather Than
Facts as to What Our Taxes Are and
What We Have to Show For Them
EDITORS Reply.

Editor es-Republican: The com
parison, made in your columns recent
ly, between our general tax levy and
those of other cities believe calls for
some suggestions. 1t is very desir-
able that such a comparison be made.
IL the levy here is no more than else
where in similar cities, or IL we are
getting benefits commensurate with
the excess of our levy. as revealed by
the comparison, complaint is appar-
emily without just cause.
BY the tax levies as shown by your
columns we find our city tax levy ex-
ceeds Waterloo mills; exceeds Fort
Dodge, 60 mills; exceeds Mason City
mills, Oskaloosa 2.15 mills; and
Boone mills. In order to explain
these differences you employ the meth
Cd of detailing the whole tax levy.
That is, you say so many mills for
this, and so many mills for that; that
our city pays. for sewers one way and
other cities pay for them In another
way. Then you take refuge in that
overburdened haven OF rest, viz, the
ownership of our city water works and
lighting plant. Why is 1t then when
you, and those whom you are support
ing point to this institution as de-
fence of all shortcomings, we should
be expected to hold our breaths, shut
our eyes and keep our peace?
1 am as proud Of our city water
works and lighting plant as any one
and would not have 1t otherwise. l do
wish, tho that we might have the
courage to face the facts as they are
and not throw upon this institution
burdens and blames 1t should not
carry. What If these other cities do
not own their water works and light
ing plants, they get water and light.
don't they, somehow? If they pay
general taxes, doesn't it?, Ii, by own
ing our own plant we reduce the cost
then our tax levy should be less in
stead of greater than other cities,
shouldn't it? If SO, why in all reason
then is it so much larger? You may
reply that our service is better than
in the other cities. Have they suf-
fered so very much more from fires
than we have? DO we hear their peo-
pie complain any more than our peo-
pie do over the private water service
they receive?
You then speak of valuations as
basis for taxation, saying Waterloo's
taxable valuation is S4,000O0O, Fort
Dodge $2,224,O0O, Oskaloosa $1,500,000,
and Marshalltown s1,9O0,00o. Those
who know Waterloo know it comprises
much more territory within it's limits
than Marshalltown and has more tax
able property and hence one reason
for it's larger taxable valuation. Like
wise with Fort Dodge. Furthermore,
every one knows that these two cities
have enjoyed more prosperity in re-
cent years than Marshalltown and that
real estate there has a much higher
market value than here. He who con-
tends otherwise either knows not
whereof he speaks, or else foolishly
seeks for consolation by ignoring that
which he knows to be true. 1t will not
be so. Once relieved from the
throes we now find graphing us, Mar
shalltown will again enter the arena
and Our neighbors will again watch us
with envious eyes. This accounts fur
Their for the increased valuation. If
these cities can SO govern their greater
areas as to maintain their higher real
estate values in the open market and
for less levy than our council is able
to do, are they not the winners and
we the losers?
Again you say, Waterloo has s miles
of paving, Fort Dodge 10 miles, Mason
City 2 miles. Marshalltown II miles.
Now you strike the key note. Why
should we, during a period of temper
airy business depression, be made to
put in more paving than these other
cities of like population during periods
of unequaled prosperity? Worse than
that, will you please advise the pub
lie how many miles of rotten paving
these other cities have, as compared
with us, in order that the comparison
may be more just? Will you not carry
the comparison still further? Advise
US as to how far their city officials
have caused the litigation and deplor-
able public agitation which now most
lnhappily confronts us. Advise us how
far they would be likely to ratify such
official conduct by eleyating one of
such a council to the highest office
within the gift of their city. Instead
Of splitting hairs, instead of becloud-
ng our reason by contending that
Mason City pays for her sewers in one
way and we in another, that we own
our water works and lighting plant
md Mason City does not, is not the
.eal test the measure of satisfaction
ind contentment which the people en-
oy as a result of the labors of their
public servants? Will you please COM
,are our present public condition, pub
ic litigation and public agitation, with
hat of other cities and show us one
which is so deep in the mire as we?
s not this the question we want to
Keep before US in order that we may
ZEE the dire results which may attend |
he ratification of the acts of our
ouncil by the elevation of one of |
heir number to the mayoralty?
+. NJ. SUTTON.