Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-03-06
GIVE THEM NO MORE MONEY

There arc grave reasons why the
Legislature should turn down the re-
quest OF the American partys councila
men for authority TO increase the tax
burdens OF the citizens OF this city. The
first is, that that crowd cannot be
trusted with public funds. The reve-
Eues OF the city the last year were
ample to meet all obligations. had they
heen In the hands of competent men.
The deficit amounting to about $4,000
is unmistakable evidence Of incompe-
tence, or recklessness, if nothing worse.
When the crowd responsible for that
shortage ask for more money to spend,
the only sane answer is. Gentlemen.
NOT y penny You have proved your
selves unworthy of public confidence"
In the second place. in tho opinion OF
men familiar with tho financial status
Of the City the money asked for is
really not needed. What la needed Is
honesty and common business methods
IN the administration OF the public at
fairs. 1t Is pointed out that the reports
FOR the year show a mysterious decrease
in the revenues and an equally unac-
countable increase in the expenditures
al along the line For instance, the rev.
cnue from the graveyard decreased, we
are told, about $1,000, although the
death rate Increased. as was nature
With the greater Influx of settlers. An.
other item is pointed out. The ex-
penses for "Janitor's supplies" sudden
~ Jumped from $500 a year. which al
ways was considered more than ample,
10 $4,000. How anyone can have the inn
prudence TO ask the people Of this City
10 pay $4,000 q year for soap and mop
rags and similar parapllernalia, passes
common understanding. The conelu-
sion, when the entire report is consid-
cred Is Inevitable. The money asked
for Is not needed. Let there be re-
trcnchrnent and honesty in the imam
cial management and there Will be no
shortage.
The allegation that the Increased TAX
alton in needed to meet the interest ON
the bonds voted by The citizens iust
before tho present DISQUALIFICATION |
seized the government of the City, is
one Of the falsehoods that is depended |
upon TO blind the Judgment of those |
who may be Inclined to criticism. When |
those bonds We're proposed. it WAS eS-
pressly stated that no increase In the
taxation. or at least very little, would |
be necessitsted thereby. It was with |
that understanding that the citizens |
voted for the bonds. Had the PROPOSE
tion been to- increase the tax burdens. /
a. 4.
thorizcd that transaction. At al; /
events, as we have stated, fur
Their taxation Ia not needed for i
the payment OF interest, for the income /
from water taxes alone last year was /
about s124.00o. or more than sufficient |
TO meet all obligations incurred by the |
bond issue. When the American coun- |
cilmen now urge the Legislature to
grant them power to increase the taxes, |
alleging that this Is necessary on ac-
count of interest due on the bonds. they
simply ask that body to help them 10
break faith with the people. The I-egis-
lature cannot afford 10 do that
We notice that the reckless expen-
diture OF money by our city govern
nent Is attracting attention outside
the city, as well 1t may. II has cost
The Community $I.72612s.O3 to be
mls-governed Cor one year, and IL the
population is estimated at $4,000, it
will be seen that IL has cost
every man, woman and child about
s2l.57 TO live under American" re-
gime. That makes s107.s5 for every
family of Ave.
The Los Angeles Times, commenting
on the cost OF our city government
says very mildly
Comparing the population If Salt
Lake with that OF Los Angeles, tho
area of Salt Lake with that Of Los
Angeles. II would seem as if the total
cost OF government In the Utah city IL
large AS compared with that In our
own city. a comparison of the salary
pay roll In the two cities would ceT-
tatnly be very muck in favor OF the
city OF Salt Lake
Is there any reason excepting i'm
competence, or worse. why It should
cost more 20 live here than In Los
Angeles. where ihe cnterprising citi-
zens have accomplished so much in
the way of municipal improvements?
We presume the City is financially
az well ms morally In II pretty bad fix
But there Is no other help for that
than the overthrow OF the party that
is responsible for the one-sided and
destructive policy now prevailing, and
the turning Ovsr Of tho affairs Of the
CITY to a body OF competent business
men, known for honesty and integ.
rity, This the citizens had To do once
before, when serfs OF anti-Mormon7
conspirators had run the City to suit
their masters and tne consequence
was financial ruin and moral degrade.
ton. History repeats Itself