The daily Nome industrial worker., 1917-03-07
AS TO TAXES.

accept the tender OI uecIedSeu '"AoS from Messrs Goggin and Polet they could very we'll do nothing else It was a case where the Council could not without extreme stultihcatlon accent the offer. It may be of course that in proportion to the other mer- chants both of these are taxed eX- cessvely; we do not know aoout that. and in any event it is quite immaterial The point is that the spectacle of merchants themselves deciding what their taxes should be and putting it up to the council to accept that or take nothing. is mol very edifying either to the council, to the merchants. or to the com munity.
 The plain facts are that the city has all elected assessor. His ap- praisements are checked and checked with liberality by the Bca"d of Equalization. That Board sits expressly for the purpose of equaliz- ing the tax burdens in this com munity ill proportion to the fnan- cial ability and the property carrltG of those who are so assessed.
 It is very clear that if MT. Poiet or Nr. Goggin feels that he ii not properly and fairly in relation to the rest of the communitlv assessed, and that in proportion to the assess meuts of other merchants Jhelf pro pertv is valued too highly. Il IS be- coming upon their part t2 snow who js evading taxation and who is as srs5ed tee low in proportion to their a'lotment,.
 That is their business and being their business brother merchants cannot take il amiss.
 If. on the other hand, their lro- perty is assessed above it's Taiua" ton. they have had the right to make an affidavit to that effect he lore the city council and the Board of Equalization is bound to taKe notice of such a declaration and reduce the taxation within the pro per bounds.
 Now no such thing vas done There was a general process ot pro test; there were complaints hut no details of discrimination, and falling that. what else could the Boari Of In the city council after the Board has adjourned, do but stand pat ah0 in- sist upon the payment in full oS the assessed taxes which none or them has shown to be unfair.
 We all know to what pretty straits we would be led were the city coun- cil to leave the matter of their taxes up to the good will and voluntary contributions of the citizens. They would not get enough to pay for stamps to answer communica- tions and very little more. They would not get enough to pay the salary of a dog catcher, and 1t would be impossible to run the city at all.
 Merchants know very well that the costs of the city outside the schools are maintained for their bene fit. The fire protection and the po- lice the streets and the lighting are all mainly for the benefit Of those engaged in mercantile pursuits and it is only fitting that they pay with out demur.
 We have said that it is possible that Polct and Goggin may be as sessed unduly highly in proportion to their fellows merchants. If so, then they should make 1t their bus mess to so inform the assessor, the Board of Equalization and the Council when such information Is likely to be of use in making up the different appraisements. Then when each pays his full share, and we be- iieve few are paying now upon their proper personal property val ues. the entire rate would be re- duced and the burden of taxation would be lighter all around than at present. It was very common sense action upon the part of the council to turn down the offer made them with reference to the taxes of these two leading merchants. The action will commend itself to the community, and it will serve, in 2