The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-25
TOPEKA AM TAXES.


Mayor Billiards. suggestion is good
one that the people make known their
attitude on the question of increasing
the tax rate for next year so that
needed public improvements can be
made. It is not unusual to hear COM
plants from property owners that the
tax rate is high one. But it COM
pares more than favorably with the
tax rates in other cities of the size of
Topeka. And what is more, many
such cities with higher tax rates have
not the things to show for their money
that Topeka has.
Topeka is experiencing remark
able growth and development along all
lines these days. 1t has been going on
now for the past three or four years.
Many of the municipal facilities have
been outgrown. Others that have not
been touched for years are in need of
repair. The people seem to be almost
unanimously in favor of a park de-
velopment that will be worth while,
and one which will meet the demands
of the growing city in this particular
for many years to come. Establish
ing Fairgrounds for the children has
become little short Of an actual neces-
sity.
These things cost money. Are the
people of Topeka willing to foot the
bills? It seems that they should be.
AS Mayor Billiard points out, if the tax
rate for next year is increased SO that
many of these needed improvements
can be brought about. it should mean
that the tax rates of the future will
be less. All of these improvements
will be of the permanent variety. In
the matter of parks and Fairgrounds,
it will cost more to acquire and estab-
fish them in the future than it will
now, for the land that will be neces-
sary for them will keep on increasing
in value with the growth of the city.
Take the Melan bridge as an example
of a municipal facility that is in need
lof repair; as to its pavement. it's rail-
ing and other features. If these re-
pairs are not made in the immediate
future these parts of the structure will
deteriorate even more rapidly than
they have heretofore. That will mean
that it will cost more to put them in
proper shape when actual necessity de-
mands that the work be done. The
Isame is true of other municipal facili-
ties. too numerous to mention here.
| 1t would appear to be an economical
procedure in the long run for the peo-
pie of the city to submit to little
heavier taxation for the next year, SO
that all the public Improvements nee
essary can be made; so that the parks
can be enlarged and better equipped
for the comfort and convenience OF
the people. The money it will take
will be we'll spent, too. No better IN
Ivestment could be made by the peo-
pIe of the city. 1t will ado to its at
Effectiveness as a home certer and
place to do business 1t will tell the
ipeople in the outside world that To
peka is alive to the opportunities fol
Its development, and is of a mind to
keen its municipal facilities abreast OF
the times and of sufficient capacity tic
meet the demands of a growing popu-
Ilation. OF necessity, the larger the
city the larger the amount of money
lis needed each year to maintain its
municipal activities. So, too, the ex'
penses of a growing city keep or
growing. Topeka is growing. There
lshould be no hesitancy on the part OF
1.-THE taxpayers to provide the necessary
wherewithal The returns are certain
to be large.