The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-12-12
Ely DisincOrpOratiOn Sen
timent Got Big Boost
Yesterday.
IS ONLY SALVATION
Business Man Says That or Bust.
Extra Freight Costs Nothing
Compared WithSeIf ImposedTax

Publication in the News yesterday
morning of the attitude of council
with regard to reduction of salaries
brought about a good deal of discus
sion in Ely and incidentally fired ND
the disincorporation sentiment in de-
cided manner
The fact that they were paying a
total of $11,S00 for their city gov
ernment exclusive of the pay received
by the city engineer and city physi-
clan and exclusive of other charges,
struck good many taxpayers as
news, not that they had not had ac-
cess to the information but because
they had not for the most part ever
taken time to figure the salary list to
a total. 1t also struck them with a
jolt that gave echo all along the line.
The general sentiment expressed
during the day was complimentary to
'iiV todi'il loi It's llltHlloH vi tHt
matter of salary reduction, but there
was woeful lack of faith in such
course reducing the tax burden. Dis
Incorporation was broadly declared
by most people who talked on the
subject to be the only way out of
the woods. Refund of half of the
salary list, it was figured, would play
but small part. particularly in view
of the statement of Councilman Root
that the money of the city had gone
into street improvements which to
date have only been commenced so
far as needed service in this respect
goes.
One business man declared that he
had not had the pleasure of living i'll
an incorporated town with history OF
reducing expenses and had never
heard of one that had made such
record On the other hand increase
in the expense list is the rule, while
in unincorporated cities they usually
seem to have as good public facilities,
oftentimes much better, at great
deal less expense and without fric-
tion. They talk about the lack of
a freight depot at our doors putting
us out of business, this man de-
clared in conclusion, but | want to
say right now that it's the expense
of city government that will put us
out if anything does. AS compared
with the expenses of that the extra
expense of getting freight here from
Ely City is nothing. If Ely City pulls
every store out of this town in the
next six months it will be because we
have been forced to a place where we
can do business without being taxed
to death Suppose they do cut down
their salaries now by relundlhS
How long will it last? This council
don't stay in always and what good
will it do anyhow in the way OF re-
lieving us with the council Obliged TO
get a surplus on hand to 40 WORK
next spring which the people Will
have TO have AS for competition
with Ely City, how can we expect to
compete for that business with that
part of town enjoying the advantage
of county government and freedom
from high license on everything from
a paper of pins on up NO. slr' l,
a case of disincorporate or Dust anu
all the soft soaping that may he done
to gloss the thing over and hold the
corporation intact is not going to heip
anybody, except those on the salary
list"
Asked regarding his view OF the
salary refund, later, prohilieI' a., a',
torney said yesterday that he wonio
NOT care TO express opinion as TO
whether the refund could be MADE
without first consulting his law books
Then he put it very tersely in the FOL
lowing: but who would make OBJ
lection or start investigation II the
councilmen and other city olheiais
should turn back part ol NJ t
nay?" A bystander remarked tha'
the course would represent phenom-
ena which would probably deeply IN
terest scientists.