The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1911-03-04

In your letter last week you put IL
up 10 the editor TO make the explana
tion which you claim the farmers OF
the county must have before they will
be convinced that the proposed bond
issue for county roads is movement
that they should support.
Now. let me say at the outset. Mr..
Doubtful Taxpayer. that like your
style OF coming out into the open and
registering your opinions and asking
that matters which look hazy to you TO
be explained away. It's the right
way; it's the intelligent way it's the
American way OF doing things Too
many doubtful Taxpayers" refuse to
discuss public questions for fear that
someone will lind out how they stand
Again. let me say. before starting
my argument. that tak7 you honestly.
l believe that you want to be- convin-
ced. Too many don't want OF be con
vinced they are against proposition
either from prejudice TO it or 70 some
one who favors il and simply register
objections TO try TO prejudice others
They re- not honest in their objections
and GEEK to cloak their dishonesty in
frivolous excuses.
IL am right IN this assumption. and
/ believe that am. let me say that my
interest in this county road matter is
purely that Of one who wishes TO see
this community progress to see IL grow
and prosper and honestly believe that
10y building the roads as outlined the
development OF this great community
will be- greatly facilitated.
l am tax payer. paying several
times as much tax in this county as do
You, Mr.. Doubtful Taxpayer, so can
not be accused of interloping 10 seek
something for nothing. | will.confess
that am just selfish enough 10 wish
the bond Issue to pass as / believe that
1t will lessen my tayes
am interested in agriculture-am
farmer, IL you willard have been i'm. |
vesting every dollar that | have saved !
In my twenty-odd years of residence
here right in this county. am not
the owner OF an automobile or driv-
ing team and don't expect to own one
OF either. no | am seeking no selfish
end in that direction With those ex-
plantations take up your query.
"Will the farmer vote for the bonds
when they can zee no direct benefit TO
etcG"
What the farmers will do cannot
say what they ought to do ia to work
and vote as hard as they can for the
good roads for IL there is any man in
the world that needs roads, il ia the
farmer.
First let's see what the financial con
iitions are. There are in Crystal Falls
Township | take this township merely
as an illustration has about 90 farm
,rs. AS nearly as the assessing officer
IAN, he has for the past ten years that
know of. held each iarm assessment
1t $40 per forty acres. Some are
little higher depending upon their
proximity TO the city. The reason for
his assessment is that the man who
akes mp a piece of land in this county
% tarm upon is looked upon as pion-
YER and benefactor of the people.
Large land owners are perfectly salts
led that such man should be favored
70 tnat policy has been established II
will be seen. therefore. that the farmer
8 favored. not burdened, in assessments.
The county road tax. therefore ON
'ach tariner is approximately 90 cents.
The total county road tax in the
ownship OF Crystal Falls is 81 373 80.
)f that amount the farmers, pay just
'7l.3s.. Not very great sum the
armers contribute for the use OF the |
county roads
CLEARED S2l4.25 II