The Virginia enterprise., 1912-11-15


hall on Monday evening a represen-
tative body of interested citizens was
in attendance and a permanent Or
ganization under the name of the
Virginia Taxpayers Association was
perfected with A. G. Osborn. as presi-
dent. G. E. Moore vice president and
s. s. Dahl secretary.
Following a statement on the part
of those interested in the perfection
OF the organization as to the objects
a general discussion Of questions of
present interest was engaged in, dur
ing which many expressions as to
the advisability of the purchase OF
the light and water plant were heard
and the manner of the proposed pay
ment for same was discussed.
And while some present were evi-
IDENTIFY opposed to the idea of the
purchase of the present plant, stat
Ing various reasons for such aver
sion, it appeared to others that in
the tender Of the city's offer Of $492,-
900 plus pay for improvements put
on the plant since the date of the
Burns & Mcdonnell report, the city
would be legally bound at any time
the company may file it's acceptance.
Such being the case, the method of
payment was entered into, with the
result that the sense of the meeting
as expressed by rising vote was to
ask the council to make a 20-year
bond issue, that those who may come
after the present generation of build
ers may have the opportunity Of pay
ing some portion Of the purchase
price as we'll as receive the possible
benefits of municipal ownership.
Among those speaking on the
various topics were W. T. Bailey, D.
w. Stebbins, A. G. Osborn, John
Mesberg, D. c. Reed, F. J. Hughes,
A. N. Thompson, E. c. A. Johnson,
Max Lewis and Alderman McGhee,
the latter assuring his hearers that
following the formal acceptance OF
the city's offer by the light and water
company complete report of the
special committee of the council con-
ducting the deal would be made, that
citizens might know on what grounds
they base their deduction of $492,-
900 plus as the purchase price. This
report should be made, and should
be made public as soon as possible
inasmuch as it seems to be the in
tent of the administration to make
the present property-owner pay the
purchase price of the plant in direct
taxation, and the present property.
owner-the man who has put hle
brain and Drawn into the upbuildine
of Virginia-is entitled to know
what he is buying and what he il
paying for it before he is asked to
place a mortgage on his home OF
his business place in the form of q
bonded Indebtedness.
In the course of his remarks AL
derman McGhee asserted that the
records showed that last year the
company made net earning of
something like $4,000. These fig
ures do not tally with the statement
OF the special city attorney whom
the taxpayers are imbursing at the
rate Of $25 per day, who at a meet
ing Of the council some five weeks
ago declared that last years gross
receipts Of the plant were $4,000
and that operating expenses were but
$4,000, leaving a net earning capa-
city on the business OF upwards Of
100000 per year. But either figure
would indicate the plant amply cap
able of caring for itself-not only in
future but for the original purchase
price, and many citizens feel that the
present direct levy of 100000 to
apply on purchase price is not only
an injustice but is uncalled for. This
additional tax will mean something
like .83 on every 800 OF assessed
valuation, and will apply to the own
er of the humblest cot as directly as
it does to the mining companies
which pay the greater proportion of
the taxes of the city.
Aside from the decision as ex-
pressed that If bonds be called the
vote be on a twenty year issue, no
definite action was taken in regard
to the desires of those present,
wide variance of opinion being found,
but it is anticipated several OF the
propositions will have assumed def
mite form before the next meeting.
called for Monday evening next.
The meeting was devoid OF acri-
mony on the part of contending fac
tions, and the organization Is one
which we believe is destined to have
a weight in matters of municipal ex-
penditures, as it should have, mas
much as the taxpayer is the man
who pays the freight and is entitled
to consideration so long as he is
called upon to foot the bills.
All taxpayers are invited to the
next meeting and to succeeding