The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-11
Mayor Green Hears From the
Taxpayers.
General Protest Against the
Proposed Increase.
DRIVE PEOPLE AWAY.
Would Go to other Cities BE.
cause of Excessive Burdens.
Should BE Lower, Not Higher,
Than Last Year.


Letters received by Mayor William
Green from property owners and busi-
ness men of the city all sound the
same advice: Don't raise the tax
i levy
Responding to the mayors invita-
ton for opinions upon the proposed
raise in the tax levy to pay off bonded
Indebtedness instead of refunding, let
| ters are being received daily and they
all take the same trend
| The increase should not come now.
| says one business man, who wrote this
morning. The payment off of the
bonds might be good business looked
at from one standpoint but from an
other 1t does not look so good, con-
inues this same man. Take things
easy and don't attempt to pay off the
entire issue falling due in 1910 by
raising fund in two years: go at 1t
gradually and accumulate something
like $4,000 each year for rnis pur-
pose. s-
Another business man and former
head of the Commercial club advises
also against attempting TO paw Off the
entire issue when it falls due This
man suggests that $4,000 be paid off
and the balance refunded at a lower
rate OF interest than it now draws
per cent
1--WE don't want to drive people 10
investing their money. in other states
because Of excessive taxes. 1 person
ally know of 100000 that was invest
ed elsewhere because of the high
| taxes in the past remarks an invest
ment broker in a letter to the mayor
Il have received considerable num-
Der OF replies in response to my invi-
tation asking for sopinions about the
H.
liam Green. They all are against the
increase in taxes That is just wha,
I wanted to find yout and / wish to
thank those who have taken enough
interest in the matter to write, me.
Regarding the levy proposed of one
mill for the waterworks fund it seems
that we haven't got any law to cover
this as 1t now stands. We went at
1t wrong end foremost. If the water
works department. had gone ahead and
ordered IN another reduction in water
rates in addition ITO the one already
provided for and then by. reason of an
impending deficit had called on the city
for this increase in thes levy for that
fund 1t could have been raised But to
make the increase first and then fol-
lowing that to lower the rates it seems
was the wrong way around.
II still maintain that the increase
In the waterworks fund is just and the
only right thing to do. People are pay
ing for water at a rate which is too
high because the property owners are
not paying their just proportion of the
fire hydrant rental for fire protection
This burden should be arranged more
equitably so that the user of water is
paying for his water only and not help
to pay for fire protection on his land
lords buildings.
II believe that though it is too late
for this years levy, the waterworks
department should order in another re-
duction in water rates on January /
and then having a probable deficit to
come to the city next spring and de-
mand increased levy for that fund.-
In three years time the board of wa
terworks trustees has spent about $780,
900 in improvements in the plant and
made 10 per cent reduction in tho
er the fire hydrant rental should be
increased to the amount proposed OF
one mill, granting that an increase Is
just. A jump from $4,000 to $4,000 in
the way of a general tax for the water
works department even though it leads
to immediate substantial reduction in
water rates may draw heavy criticism
to the management of the plant and
cause more damage than the good
which might result while smaller in
crease combined with the exercise OF
little patience may work out to the
same end without bringing down a
storm of protest.
The State Journal has received the
| following letter.
, To the Editor of the State Journal:
, I read with interest your article on
: the tax situation in last evenings s
paper.
1 can not see how it is possible for
the mayor, council and school board
to even hint at any scheme that will
add to the burden now borne by the
a citizens of this tax cursed city.
1t would no doubt cause the polti-
cal defeat of those who advise such a
course, but what the people want to
, do now is to stamp out this matter
before it grows any farther, and l
would suggest that meetings be ar
ranged at once to secure the views of
our citizens and tax payers on this
question so that pressure can be
brought to bear on the powers that
control this matter to use their best
endeavors to lower the rate instead
of increasing 1t.
Just at the time the people we're
1.-THE increased valuation. our taxes
would probably be based on about a
, l14O rate or less, which would make
the total in most cases, especially real
estate. a. trifie lower than last year
here come along our worthy guard
, | ians of public welfare and want to
/ grab all they can for things not neces-
sary.
1t is a shame, an outrage, and a dis
grace to anyone countenancing an in
crease of taxes at the present time
l ~ A D