Imperial Valley press., 1910-04-02
NO BUSINESS TAX
 IN CITY OF FL CENTRO
Occupation Ordinance Hastily Repealed By Vote of Two
 Trustees
Extension of Sewer System Consider ed by the Board-Health Officer Urges Regulation of Sale of Dairy Products-septic Tank Patentees Complain of Alleged Infringement.


 Complain of Alleged Infringement. At the meeting of the El Centro City Trustees on Tuesday night only three members were present-Trus- | tees Pearson, Blackinton and Hamilton
 The City Engineer was instructed to draw plans and prepare estimates for an extension of the sewer system approximately 1000 feet from Heil avenue, so as to give sewer connec- tion to the numerous residences now established in that vicinity. If this improvement Is made by the city, w. 1 O.. Hamilton and other property own CTS there propose to construct later sewer. The Southern Pacific also asks that arrangements be made so that the passenger station may be con- nected with the sewer system. This was referred to the City Engineer and Sewer Commissioner.
 A petition protesting against the closing of Main street west of the Court House grounds was received and laid on the table.
 A communication from the Gamer on Septic Tank Company was receiv- ed and referred to the City Attorney. This company alleges that certain mu nicipalities are infringing on it's pat ents in their use of septic sewer sys- tems.
 k. H. Sherman, deputy County Health Officer, spoke at length before the Board, urging the passage of an ordinance regulating the milk and dairy products offered for sale in this city, and showing the menace to health possible under present conditions. The City Attorney was requested to pre- pare an ordinance covering this matter.
 The occupation tax ordinance, which has been under more. or less con- sideration by the Board for weeks, was brought up and Trustee Hamilton proposed the passage of an amend ment which would place such tax on limited number of concerns and give relief to the major part of the busi- ness community.
 Trustee BlackiRton developed a case of great consideration for the incom- ing board and urged the repeal of the entire occupation tax ordinance, so that the new board might have a clean slate.
 Trustee Hamilton urged that as the present Board has had this matter un- der consideration for weeks, it was better prepared to grapple with the problems involved than a new board that would have to take up the case as whole were the ordinance re- pealed and asked that the matter be post poned at least until the adjourn ed session of Friday; he asked that the City Attorney prepare two ordi- | QanceS, one IndhluS CHe pIOpOSSu amendments, and the other providing for the repeal of the ordinance, so that both might come up for consid eration at the adjourned meeting; but Trustee Blackinton declared that if it was proposed to discuss the mat ter at the next meeting he shoulG insist upon an immediate repeal of the ordinance. He urged President Pear son to second his motion for re- peal and Pearson did so. Both Black inton and Pearson voted for the re- peal and Hamilton voted against it. insisting that the proper procedure would be to amend the ordinance, By the two votes the ordinance was re- pealed, and El Centro today has no occupation tax ordinance.
 The Board adjourned to meet on the evening of April 1, to hear report on the progress of the municipal well. The report of this meeting is too late for publication in today's Press,