Durango semi-weekly herald., 1905-09-28

al in the party. including Superintend-
ent Lee. Mr.. Yard and his daughter,
Miss Maud Burnett and Senator and
party started on tour OF the Farm
ington branch, short stops being made
at Aztec and Pennington. this being
the first trip of Mr. Ridgway over tae
new line and to the interesting towns
mentioned. The party Is expected
back about 4 o'clock, and after spend
ing the night. with the exception OF
Senator Barela and wife, will continue
the inspection trip via the Southern.
Among Durango's fair guests will
be Don Cashmere Barela and wife, the
two arriving in the city last evening
with A. C. Ridgway. Senator Barela
is well known throughout the state,
having long been the Democratic war
horse of Las Apimas county. coming
over TO the Republican party last sum
mer on the law and order policy Of the
party and the policy of President
Roosevelt The Herald extends the
senator and his wife cordial welcome
to our city and trusts their stay with
us will be exceedingly pleasant.
The Board of Trade held a meeting
last evening which was not without
interest There was quite general
attendance of the directors and some
spectators who appeared to have an in.
| in, he.
Harry Jackson. chairman of the tax
committee, said he believed taxes
were too high and he at once had the
concurrence of all the taxpayers.
Mayor Mcconnell responded for the
city administration and was followed
by Alderman Hanno chairman of the
finance committee of the city council.
who read from data compiled by his
committee the detail of the present
financial condition of the city.
During Mr.. Hanno's recital of our
financial conditions he referred to the
probable falling on or loss of revenue
throuhg the conditions which have fol-
lowed the closing of gambling In Du
range. He did not mention
gambling. bat referred to the
conditions which have followed
its closing He feared loss OF
revenue, anticipating that some of the
saloons will have to close At re-
said that under present conditions the
city must contemplate the loss OF sa-
loon revenues under the present sys-
TEN and suggested that as an expedi
ent saloon licenses might be raised or
increased.
This idea mi ght have been suggest
ed in part by some G. the saloon.
keepers and in part by some OF the
buiness mcn engaged in other business
pursuits.
There was one thing sticking out
prominently in the procee dings Of the
Board % Trade meeting last night
and that was an g, pressed desire.
with general concurrence, to reduce
the tax rate in the city a. Durango
and corlty CT La Plata, ard this will
interest the people. whoshe they are
now taxpayers or may he later on.
II is true that the present tax rate
has cheated Durango out c. a million
dollars worth OF buildings ard caused
stock owners to become orslaws In
the sense or measure OF h'dinE live
stock TO evade taxation.
People VINO have had anything st
all have been afraid TO turn It In lest
they go broke on taxes
George Logan. chairman Of the
board of county commissioners. was
there to say that his board would con
summately desire reduction Of taxes.
and he wanted to know what the city
would do to help out
In its conference with the city coun.
ell and county commissioners the
Board of Trade. with its expressed de-
sire to reduce the tax rate. had To CON
template the building Of new brldes
where the old structure bearing peo-
pie, loads of hay and street cars to
and from the north part Of the ~,
without attacking the public school
reduction of the school levy was
discussed and this will BE- takeA ~