The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-12-30
TAXPAYERS LEAGUE
DECLARES FOR ECONOMY
IN CITY ADMINISTRATION

The question is often asked, ''WhoS &
the Taxpayers league and what do tn y
propose to dO?" s. 25
In answer to the questions, we 4
space in your paper, so that your read
ers may know of the obj','ts of the
league ;~s,on o,onon+ +,a
partisan election of public officials
have resulted in lack of the check
and balance of power. found in
protest of the individual is of no avail
in registering complaints with public
officers respecting the management of
city ths 6r has has
through organized demand can con-
sideration be gained and the necessary
check upon the acts of public servants
Our taxes are increasing faster than
our population. In 1910 the city's
ss4S,e3o, an increase. in the cost of the
city. government for .:--..ve-year
period of SO per cent. The United
With popuon Of stf the tf bul itH
Directory company now claims 100000
population, an increase of $4,000 for the
ga Hs five year ps10d or an
that the expenses are increasing at
ration of % to 80. and are 40 per cent
greater than the increase in popula-
Generally citizens take the expendi-
ture of their money mostly on faith
as they have not the means Of knowing
whether it was economically expended
In view. of the size, Of the expendi-
lures it is worth while having the
means of knowing, and that is the
work this league has planned
To Make a Study Of Tax Problems.
Inc welfare growth and prosperity
of the city are in a large measure de-
pendent on reasonable and fair tax
levy. The object OF. this organization
is to give comprehensive study to
questions of taxation as applying
lal, :. to the city and county:
PUBLIC funds; to ascertain whether or
not discrimination exists il the assess
ment of property; to obtain accurate
t ia a,,, bearing on such questions and
study and recommend ways and means
whereby economy and great efficiency
Can be secured Sc from the money dis
Just and equal taxation in the city,
and in general to stimulate greater
civic interest in the wealth, prosperity
and growth Of the city,
Expenditures.
This city is living on the bread line,
and on money borrowed from bond
issues. Already the annual interest on
our bonded debt is more than a quarter
mllllon OF dollars. or 500 pr day, so
that one fourth of the cost of running
6 our city is the item of interest on the
tGdn debt. yet every little while
there is demand for more bonds.
RMS is noticeably apparent at this time
when a number of men, prominent in
the real estate, exchange. are active in
Demanding bond issue by the city
LOT the construction of hri1ero NH
some of these same men were active in
defeating the paving of Woodland ave-
nue. nue. which al by the way, is the. best
OF Gnesen and Rice Lake.
Why these men are taking such an
act i've, in interest in the construction of
unless the real estate exchange has
another tract of land to job off at ex-
provements, but it is opposed to any
organization defeating needed improve
ends.
For example: Prominent members
G d t ders refl sstht ee active
avenue; yet members of this exchange
We're active at about the same time in
rnod Ely ver n road paved: This
Sas 5" is nd t9e tse Sesp raa rSs
travel from Gnesen and Rice Lake.
Hti:o.WTever, the road was paved from
t tllth street TO Ontario street at a
the city's share. The principal ' ben benef ST
OF the the IN Engagement thus far has been
exchange to sell out Waverly Park adj
dltlon at fancy figures.
Quoting The Labor World of May
"The Duluth Real Estate exchange
IS one Of several institutions which
mas Duluth by the throat It is milk
ms ms the last drop Of Duluth's business.
" exacts high rent from merchants
IL EFFORTS high prices from home buy
ers It CANDLES in Duluth real estate.
pockets part Of the plumber and sends
by others" '0' oo
Such institutions demand a check
ana t ms league is, looking into the
4 +hat Tue OF this and other institutions
1uths progress, and will give to the
taxpayers: in the near future, some
Xi ndt5 bic INFORMATION which will elm
funds foAAe
oo This ;, league believes that there is a
ff66n ni''lel ley, waste of public funds,
me need for economy in municinai
finance is not sufficiently emphasized
ana that the extravaganza in the ex-
eliminated. oA'
Those who believe that honest re-
Search and united effort will be a
peneIlt TO the city are cordially in
vlted to become members Of the league
ahG thus protect their own interests
II is essential to charge a nominal
FUNDS to obtain the necessary infor-
matfon and to make accurate investiga-
tlons. TO supply these funds a charge
to be sufficient ="
Applications for membership can be
maze direct to the secretary at 22S
Fargusson building
The general public is also invited
10 Tile with the league any complaints
on matters concerning the financial
management of the city or county.
Respectively,
TAXPAYERS LEAGUE,
223 Fargusson Bldg,