The Sentinel=record. (Hot Springs, Ark.) 1900-current, 1918-11-14

nance fer this city IS based directly
upon an "An Act" passed by the state
legislature at fits last session, author
Ting cities and towns of a certain class
enact such measure and put same
to effect upon ratification by the
Hoters At a special election called
for that purpose IN general it pro
vides for licensing ON a stipulated
basis. Of the diflerepi trades and yo-
cations for the privilege OF transacting
business. Under the provisions of The
act itself, it cannot apply to Wage
earners" or "T4aborers,A after the com
inoE acceptance Of those terms.
The "Raten of assessment and the
'.inanner9 or "Basis'' OF assessment
TO be employed, very naturally be-
comes the most important features "a
DC embodied The ordinance as pass
ed by the city commission proposes as
. rate of Assessment tone half of one
per cent and as a basis for assess
Inent amount OF buiness done OF
the different methods suggested This
seemed the most practicable and en-
uitable. and subject to the smallest
number of objections Such a Basis
will produce very conservative
amount something like twenty 10
Hwenty five thousand doilara-the
proportionate distribution of which
among individuals. firms and institu-
tions. could not possibly be regarded
as cumbersome. Some inequalities
ana inconsistencies will of course,
arise. even under this scheme; hut II
is the purpose Of tho betty commission
to exercise its discretion as TO reas-
enable application ofllhe terms of the
uisiinance in those INSTANCES; further
the commission Will hear complaints
aisd claims whielRmays arise, TO the end
t'htft tho working Of tie ordinance. mas
Dr. as fair ana equitable as 1t is pos
sshie 10 make it; ann that final ad
asatments may be e9fcted which viii
70 mutually satlsla Ahry Theunda-
mental and compeaias reason Tor IN,
enAt tment OF an occupation tax 10.
this city, is plainly apparent 10 any
one who takes the least interest N
civic affairs and who hwishcs to learn
the existing status. with the income
or revenue oe the tsty now iahnz
short OF expenditures, and destined
10 fall short the following year some
100000 OF the amount required foI
current operating expenses, 1t is plain
that something must be done. Where
individual or business expenses ex-
ceeds income, one OF two alternatives
must be pursued either cut down ex-
nense, or increase the income. In
the case OF this city. il seems thai
expenses have been cut to as low g
point as Is consistent with minimum
of police surveillance, fire protect
ion. and civic upkeep. 1t would be
possible to still further cut down our
small police force. eliminate rart OF
our fire department and abolish en-
tirely the present minmi1ed activities
Ia fhe direction of street cleaning.
sewer up-keep, and street mainten
ancc. etc. but who wishes TO live in
a city. in this enlightened age, where
civic pride has reached SO low an ebb
that such measures mrst be resorted
10. Everyone mus agree that money
spent ludiciously in these directions.
only rebounds 10 the good Of the conf
munity. and brinsl results in which
all share, Every dollar invested proc.
erly in civic improvement and civic
up-keep. particularly in communit
like Hot Springs. brings its reward
in many ways which more than jus
fifty investment Whereas nceiigenc
and inactivity reiard prusresS. dis
courage business. both foreign and do
nestle. and eventually leafs TO sucl
q deterioration, that recovery lis im-
poxeisle.
The prosperity OF the city is Com
munity bnsiness--and not alone thr
concern OF a few Officials, Who arr
expected 10 work magic wonder
without even the power . invoke the
magic aid Of an Aladdin. Some one
will say. We'll what do they d.
with all Che money anyway DO yur
know what the income OF the CITY
was. for the year 1911? DO you have
any idea what ii IS for the year 1918"
And what idea do you have as 10
the amount that vii flow into the
city Golfers under the present con-
diElons. in the year 1872 DO YOU
know anything aboat the amount Of
money It takes TO operate a Big
Little machine like the city of Hot