The Cairo bulletin., 1909-02-14
PADUCAH' GREAT
LOAD OF TAXES
AND BETTER PUBLIC SERVICE
SUBJECT OF COMMENT AT
MERCHANTS LUNCHEON
QUIT PLAYING POLITICS
Put City On Sound Financial Footing
Says John S. Aisthorpe-Woud
Not Be Radical But
Business Like.

! NOIHluS new Was presented at yes
terday's Merchants Luncheon al
Alexander club grill room but some
very good things We're said on some
Of the subjects previously brought
forward There was a good attend
ance of representative men and
much interest developed.
Chas. Feuchter reported that the
city hall committee had carried cut
Its instructions to ask the city coun-
ell TO devise ways and means to in
crease the city's revenue so as TO
meet its ordinary needs, aud build
city hall Mr. Feuehter $50 called
attention to a bill pending in the
illinois general assembly the purpose
OF which is to make one-taird in-
stead OF Cnefifth. the taxable value
of property. He thought this would
be proper subject for discussion
ard action, since it would increase
general taxes considerably.
John 5. Aisthorpe said the raising
OF taxable values here would be %,
jected to. He would hold the taxes
OF the people within reasonab e
bounds. In Padueah where he had
been few DAYS ago. he learned that
the people were heavily burdeneiI
with taxes, but there they paid 1913
per 800 on an 50 per cent valuation
Of property. In other words, on a
piece Of property actually worth
10 200 they paid on $4,000 valuation,
1 tax of S2GS,C0 whereas in Cairo tn
same piece of property would b
valued by the assessor a. $1,000 an |
would be taxed on one-fifth of that
'alue. or s1,4O0 at the rate of 81 Per
800. total of $9S In addition 10 (
his in Paducah every business man
TAI to pay a license tax every pro
essional man, every man wi 0 |
Wished to put a sign across the side. |
walk. in fact nearly everything and |
Everybody was charged license. !
The city of Paducah got over $500. |
zoe annually for city purposes. while |
afro got less than 800 200, The /
ecple in the neighboring city were
Il complaining; they hal clean /
treets, better fire service. etc. but
ney were paving mighty high for &C.
Vi. Aisthorpe was opposed TO any
adical attempts 10 raise revenue
ere. but said something ought t. BE-
one in the matter of increasing the
itys revenue There are now ir-
egularities i'm license taxes which +
ught to be corrected. and all ought
D be made to pay license tax who
an be made to pay IT, If we want /
le city to be kept I'm good condition |
nj up with the times We must go
own into our pockets AMI pay for it.
'e have Uurer air i'm Cairo tnan they
ave In Chicago and we want 10 ksop
that way by keeping the city clean.
ne great obstacle In the way was
>litics. Pm getting deveish tired
politics said Mr. AisthorTe. Il s
N for going at the problems which q
the city ia a business Ike q
ay. Ii the city needs $4,000 year d
be run property. get 81. thigk u O.
III be necessary 10 resort 10 licenses I
get it AMI would tax an classes A..
at can be- taxed. The city autlori. :
es ought to be in the lead in THIS
not shirk their duty:
ey ought 20 be here aud take part q
these discussions. but they are so u
raid they might lose some votes j.
new here. or get into a hole. tnat "
ey are letting things drift along O.
y old way 81,
4. HALEY said in reply 70 a ques- at
~ that years ago there was a uer- Ie
ants license IN force here. be- hal 4t
il il many wears. but Judge Hrcss fa
= taken this matter into court and t-
2 ordinance was declare vtid. d,
-has. Feuchter said the city cnar-
did not permit Licensing al p.
sses Of business II d. signatei The i.
sses that could be- so taxed D"
: r. Maxwell of St louis. who al
IS a guest Of the Luncheon. made ID
eloquent address on Civic ufIe.i
said there were three things Oh
eessary 70 progress: c.. Git VI
Z GreenbacFs Cairo hal the ert CO
! the greenbacEs but needed
ne Go. IL
ir- -'ryor appointed THIS f
,hea to preside next SATURDAY