Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-04-24
BUSINESS men
Want TO KNOW
CHARGE THAT GROUNDS FOR
ATTACKING CITY SEEM RATH-
Err TO ARISE FROM MALICE
THAN REAL MERIT.


ton of second petition asking for
the reelection of both a mayor and
full membership of the council has
caused general discussion among
business men. The consensus Of
opinion seems to be that If the pres
ent administration is not the best
for the business interests of the city
that action should be taken, but
great harm is resulting to the city
by the manner in which the question
has been taken up.
Business men and the larger tax
payers disclaim any knowledge Of
the movement and emphatically
state no good can result from the
present proceedings. Prominent
citizens who opposed the election of
the present councilmen and Mayor
Heitfeld have signified their inten-
tion of fighting the movement now
reported.
1t is generally conceded that pub
licity is we'll when backed by data
showing the grounds upon which
the question is raised, but the gen.
eral charges appearing ON the petit
tions now prepared are believed to
be actuated by malice rather than a
desire to benefit the condition, and
axe generally regarded as of the most
detrimental character to the citys
interests. ~s.
There have been complaints of
*knockers" on the outside, who
have kept people from locating in
the city, but business men and prop
erty owners do not hesitate in
branding the petition movement as
one of the most effective knocks
the city has received. People on the
outside are asking what is the mat
ter with Lewiston, and up to this
time no one seems to be prepared to
explain the afliction.
"The proceedings have been en-
tirely inconsistent, said a promi-
nent citizen today. 1.-THE attack
was commenced on Mayor Heitfeld
on the grounds that a high assess
ment was being levied, while any
person familiar with the manner In
which this feature of the business
IS conducted would know the mayor
had nothing to do with the assess
ment other than as chairman of the
board of equalization.
THE feature of the assessment
does not affect the amount of taxes
to be paid" continued the citizen
as there Is so much money to be
raised each year by taxation, and #
the valuations are higher the rate
VIII be lower, and the only question
to be considered is the equality of
the assessment, which may be adj
1usted before the council, sitting as
board of equalization, by the prop
erty owner, If an unequal assess
ment is made.
Then, on the other hand,
charges have been made to the ef-
fect that members of the council
We're controlled by the mayor and
py his removal conditions would be
improved. The TAXPAYER does not
want member on the council who
can be controlled by anybody. and
with paving contract of perhaps
s2oo,ooO to be awarded within the
next few months the inconsistencv
or the position appears again when
II IS stated that men who they be-
neve the mayor can control are suit
able to remain in Office.
The position is again shifted
when they start the petitions ask
ing for the removal of the holdover
members and the mayor, but this
general shuttle has aroused a feeling
VI distrust, and the business man
VINO has not the time to participate
IN the street gossip would be favor
aoie to holding a mass meeting and
Ealing the mayor and councilmen
" appear before that body and an
swer the charges made by the peo-
PIE who are behind the petition
movement"