The Seward gateway., 1916-05-31

the maintenance of parks. In short, it has had to cut its expenses $S4O,- 900, to meet it's decreased revenues.
 What would apply in Birmingham, Alabama, would apply in a greater degree in Fairbanks, Alaska, for the support of public schools, improve ments and frefghting forces is to a far greater degree here dependent up- on the revenue from liquor licenses than in Birmingham. The gross rev enues of Fairbanks are around $64,- 900. Some $2I,OOO of that comes from federal licenses. From taxation of property both real and personal of men who are engaged in the manu- fracture or sale of malt and spirituous liquors, and those citizens who are employed by such people, another $8,OOO is derived. Take S29OOO from $64,OOO and what would be the result?
 Today the schools of Fairbanks are supported entirely by license money that is, the license money covers the cost of the schools and no more. The fire department and the schools re- quire half or more than half of the total revenues of the city. Cut out half of our revenue, or nearly half, and what will become of our schools or our fire department? All the schools and half of the fire depart ment, or all the fire department and half of the schools or three-fOurths of both of them (enough to make neither of them efficient will have to go. No use saying what other ways can be found to make up the deficit the people consider themselves over taxed now; besides, there is a lega, limit to taxation, and the limit would not come near making up the dcdci- ency.
 Do you know that more than one third of the total revenues of the United States are derived from the liquor business? Do you know that the only remedy really suggested or considered for creating revenues to replace such deficit if national pro- hibition ruled is to reduce the income tax exemptions 10 $lOOO and DOUBLE the tax? Would the rich stand for that? It would be all right with us, if they would pay it, but they won't.
 Hobson nor any other legislator can nrobibit a man making liouor for his own use, nor can any law be passed to keep any man from drinking as he sees fit, so long as he is not an habi- tual drunkard-the Constitution of the United States guarantees a man such rights.
 Nowhere under the sun is there a land where personal rights and per sonal freedom are demanded and oe- sired more than in Alaska. Most men are here in the search for the land of greater personal freedom-here in search of personal freedom in the ut most, or to live off such men. No city the size of Fairbanks anywhere on earth has less drunkenness than Fairbanks, or fewer people who suf- fer from the effects of drink. Not the greater part of our population drinks, nor will the smaller part of the population esteem it a favor or aid if the larger population of non- drinkers takes away from the minor ity the right to drink a glass of beer when the minority likes.
 If you wish to see our schools close ed or reduced to a minimum of efici- ency; if you wish to see our fire de- partment cut out or put down to a bucket brigade with doubled insurance rates, put in with the prohibitionists and they will see that it comes that way. They have nothing to offer in lieu of the revenues from Federal licenses; nothing that would be ac- cepted by a bank as ample security against the destruction of Fairbanks. Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, May 1Q16