Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-04-08
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The Bee: The Anti-saloon leagues fake
factory, parading under the name OF
the temperance society OF the Methodist
Episcopal church Of Topeka Kan,
through its publicity bureau offers TO
furnish plate matter to the newspapers OF
the country, and their latest sheet con-
tains the following wiiful nisrepresenta-
ton regarding the effect OF prohibition
in West Virginia. 1t quotes from the
statistical abstract the average tax rate
In the different states for 1919. which tax
rate for West virginia is particularly
low, being se-1Oo cent per 500 of assessed
valuation. Mind you this Is for 1912.
Then II soes on 10 say "a careful reading
of the table shows that prohibition is the
greatest tax reducing agency" thus
brazingiy attempting to deceive the pub
lie, knowing full well that prohibition did
not so into effect in West Virginia until
July /, 1914
Then II goes on to show that the tax
rate IN Nebraska Is SAT- per 800 on as
Ecssed valuation, knowing also that the
assessed valuation in Nebraska Is only
one-fifth Of the actual value; 30 that
N.3 on the assessed amount means only
one-fifth of that on actual value, OF $50
cents per 500. or trifle less than West
Virginia
Now the real effect of prohibition in
West Virginia, according 10 recent dis
patches from Charleston, w. Va, is that
the state Is broke" and that a NOR
atorium has been announced. Being
without funds State Auditor Darst has
suspended the honoring OF drafts. The
main cause Is the loss Of more than $780, .
900 annual revenue from liquor licenses.
Measures before the Legislature provid-
ing for other kinds Of taxation to cover
the deficit we're voted down, so that
the governor vetoed q large part Of the
appropriation bill. including that sup
porting the state militia, which will
therefore cease to exist State officers
from the governor down will not be paid
for probably three months. state build
ings under construction will be halted.
On top Of this comes the refusal OF
juries in that state 20 convict for viola
tions Of the prohibitory law. So that al
together West virginians will not be
much impressed with the benefits derived
from prohibition, notwithstanding the
Anti-saloon leagues publicity sheet,
which by such Misrepresentation brands
all other information contained therein
as unreliable and mendacious. Can ana
should any cause built on nisrepresenta-
ton succeed? A. L. MEYER.
Tired OF Wooster.
GRAND ISLAND. Neb. April ITO
the Editor Of The Bee: have been a
reader of The Omaha Bee for the last
tnirty years. / take 1t because like II.
and by reading 1t carefully one can keep
we'll posted.
In all that time l have had very little
fault to find with the makeup of the
paper or the opinions expressed editori-
ally. One thing, however have found
very tiresome and that Is the various
items that have been contributed by
wooster" Your space is too valuable
to surrender TO such letters as he usually
contributes. b, J.
Wants Two More Commissioners.
SOUTH OMAHA. April ITO the Edi-
tor Of The Bee: II seems to me that the
best way out Of the problem in regard
TO giving the annexed territory repre-
sanitation in the city government OF
Omaha would be for the legislature to
amend the Omaha city charter so as to
provide for the election of two additional
commissioners by the annexed cities and
towns when the consolidation Is COM
pleted. In that way there would be nine
commissioners instead Of seven ana
justice would at the same time be done
the annexed part Of Omaha. It does not
seem that nine commissioners would be
too many for city Of 10000 population.
Have the charter SO amended that the
| two additional commissioners would be
elected on the fourth day OF May. II
my suggestion 10 followed doubt IL
there would be more than a few hundred
votes cast in the election against the
consolidation with Omaha. BY follow
ing this plan a great deal OF money
would be saved that would be spent in
case the election for the whole city of
Omaha is postponed. BY allowing the
annexed district the two additional com
missioners it would create a feeling OF
good win all around. f. A ANGNEw.
Commercial High schools.
| OMAHA AOrfI 10 the Edifor AZ IN.