Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-05-05

ferenceS can be adjusted and SmOothed
out to the mutual satisfaction of all
parties concerned.
NJ. B. HUTCHISON.-1 cannot feel
that our city is taking wise course
in the matter of taxing the John Nor
rel & Co plant.
Last year after considerable nego-
tiation basis of taxable value was
agreed upon satisfactory to the man
agement of the plant. This year the
management state they have largely
reduced the amount Of stock on hand,
and are entitled to reduction In
their assessment. There can be no
question but their statement is true
and I think they are entitled to the
full reduction they claim.
There are great many arguments
why large plant, employing many
men, supporting many families, max
ing possible the building Of many
homes, to say nothing Of the indirect
prosperity that comes to every line Of
business in our community, should
have our very thoughtful and UNI
prejudiced consideration in everything
that pertains to their welfare.
In the tax matter, for instance. We
should consider that Morrell & Co not
only pay taxes, but through their
many hundreds Of people are paying
taxes into our county. The banks OF
the city pay probably as high tax
as any business, but their profits are
produced from the employment Of
very few men, while the profits OF
Morrell & Co. come from the employ
ment of very large number Of men,
most of whom are taxpayers. While
we would not greatly miss the taxes
paid by Morrell & Co., if we lose the
taxes paid by their hundreds of EN-
ployes we will find serious shrink
age in our county revenues.
John MorreH & Co. say they are run
ming at present at a loss, and can
we'll believe that on account Of the
scarcity and high price of the live
product. The amount of wages they
are thus paying out is Of vastly more
account to our community than the
taxes they pay. If the community does
not try to meet them in their views
and pursue liberal policy toward
them, there is no reason why they
should pursue liberal policy toward
the community.
I cannot help but feel that If Of
tumwa gets the notoriety of taxing 4
larger industry such as this so that
they feel it necessary to suspend op-
erations, even temporarily, that any
efforts our citizens may make toward
building up our community, will be
paralyZed.
CHARLES HALLBERG.-It is I'M
fortunate that cause for anything of
this kind should come up at a time
when everybody, individuals as well
as business houses, are united in an
effort to boost and work hand in hand
for a greater Ottumwa. The first con-
sideration in establishing and main
tanning business is the operating eX-
pense, which includes railway facili-
ties, taxes, etc. While we all believe
in equal taxation as rule, the fact
remains very few rules exist without
an exception. Anyone familiar with
the conditions in the manufacturing
field, as well as business in general, |
knows that competition is very Keen
and that many concerns at times are
not paying dividends and consequent
ly operates rather in favor of the
many than the few.
In this particular case I believe in
the fairest kind of treatment, as
consider John Morrell & Co. the most
important factor in Ottumwas COM
mercial life. am in favor Of the
Commercial association, which has
Of 600 formulating some
plan to bring before the proper au-
thorities, whereby an adjustment can
be made.