The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1911-04-14

lhS SShGl di SOOQ.
What does the mining stock fell
low produce for his share?
The comparisons could be car
rled on indefinitely but it is not
the desire to foment trouble and
these are only given to illustrate
the fact that tax lodging" is
made easy for those who really
don't need to do so. 1t is an in
justice to the fellow who builds a
home and attempts to make some
thing of Ely besides an abiding
place wherein to educate your
children at the expense of your
neighbor and exc out Montgom-
cry Ward existence in order to &C
cumulate fat roll of u. S. Steel
stocks. The expense of education
and maintenance of the schools
last year was nearly $50 a pupil
and if you have children and are
not taxpayer, you are just taking
$50 of someone's cash for each
child without returning one cent
only in an indirect way.
Is this not the truth? It may
sound harsh and unfeeling but it
nevertheless remains fact that it
is so and you know it.
The assessed valuation of the
City of Ely should be in the neigh
borhood of IS, 900, 900 with a tax
rate of Is or IA mills The school
district valuation should be two or
three million more and the rate for
school taxes should be about E or
8 mills instead of So. This would
be the case providing the mines
and lumber industry in the city and
school district were assessed on the
same basis the Ely business man or
property owner is assessed.
Every word contained in the
former article must have been true,
at least no one has contradicted the
statements. The article was re-
produced in the Virginia and Hib-
bling papers and nothing has been
done to contradict the statements
on either this or the Mesaba range.
1t must be true.
If true, why?
1t has been my aim to keep quiet
for few weeks so as to give all a
chance to discuss the mine taxation
matter, but it is getting along
towards May when the new as
sessments will again be made and
when something should be done by
the city council. board of equaliza-
ton, Business Mems Association
and those having the welfare of the
city at heart. If taxation matters
were right you would not be COM
PEELED, Mr.. Editor, to beg your
citizens to vote for an issue of
bonds to put in improvements that
must be had. Ely could have a
white way, sewers, cement side
walks, parks, and other necessaries
without the issue of bonds, provid-
ing things were fair and equitable
according to the Constitution.
Discussion of the subject is
courted, even demanded. The
publicity department of the cor
poration can get busy and tell the
people why things are things the
same as they got busy when the
county division question was on.
1 am sure everyone III Ely would
be most willing recipient of any
information that would set them
right in the matter.
In all probability they will inform
the people of this city that nc
actual demand had been made OF
them for more taxes and that a:
people seemed satisfied there wa!
actually no use in fighting for the
privilege of paying what was right
This is partly true and while it i:
claimed the State Tax Commission
has all to do with the valuation
Question, it is a certainty that the
commission will also take things fol
granted if nothing is said or done
by those most vitality interested.
| Let the council appoint a com.
mittee to call on the Tax Commits
sion and put the matter plainly be
fore them. I am sure something
definite can be accomplished. A
any rate somebody would get wis
as to the location of the trouble.
No, Mr.. Editor, this is not all.
There is considerable more to fol
low even if there is no attemp
made to sass back. The rea
dope" is being cooked up but i
is statistical mess that will show
up some things not as yet touched
upon. There is no desire to lowel
our taxes at the expense of the
mining company but there is {
righteous desire that the mining
company should pay their proper
ton on the same basis as the ordin
airy mortal.
No more, no less.
Yours Thankfully,
ONrrS ~>r> INVITA- DAxyr>nc