El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-01-13
AULicenSeS
Due TOTheGty
Are Collected
McSain Keeps Close Tab.
His Cash Is Balanced
Every Day.

one roll. and one receipt. which in
sures the total payment and collec
ton Of all taxes at one time.
Another matter of very vital i'm
pOrtance to the city's finances was
the operation without licenses of
n large number of saloons. pool
halls. pawn brokers, cigaret deal
ers- theaters and Deddlers. This
matter WAS OF the first to receive
Dir. McSain's attention and. rs n
consequence. over $4,000 was col
lccsed Of rrrearaEes- or over the
period OF the previous collector.
saloons not within the proper
boundaries Of permitted districts
were caused to be closed. BY per
hitting this condition to continue.
Mr.. McSain would have likely in
Sured political favOr-but he was
elected on n platform Of fearless
ness, honesty and efficiency.
Watching the Corners.
A card system has also been in
stalled by Mr.. ,McSain. showing tbs
total number Of the various occupa-
lions licensed To insure the prompt
payment Of fees and prevent the
opening or any occupational business
taxed without first obtaining a Il,
cense. Mr. McSain has provided an in
spector who makes the daily rounds
Of the city
These systems and methods
were installed and are under the
direct supervision Of Dir. MeSain.
who deToteS his entire time to the
conduct Of HIS office. insurinE n
uniformity and absolute equaliza-
tion of tuz burdens every assess-
Hent being checked by him per-
sonally.
Balances Cash Daily.
An absolute cash balance is made
every evening OF the DAYS transac-
tons and they are promptly reported
and the cash turned over TO the treas
ury. The books and records Of the
office are open for inspection or au-
dit any day at any time The office is
annually inspected and audited by GER
titled public accountants. and IL IS
with pleasure that Mr. McSain refers
to each Of the three certificates is
sued by these accountants commend
ing the efficiency and correctness of
the city tax department as conducted
by the present incumbent
Mr.. NIeSain assumed charge of
the city tax department free from
any financial debt or other Obli-
EatiOn. which would tend to
shacLSle n public officer in the
faithful discharge Of his duties.
Thus being free from any debt or
obligation. he was permitted to
perform his duties fearlessly, but
fairly.
Admit His Fairness.
Even the men representing big in
terests. whose valuations were in
creased by Mr.. McSain have since
stated that they must admit that he
had been impartial. No city in the
state. il was asserted. has a set Of
tax records as clean OF valuations as
equable as FL Paso at present
UNDER BILLY 1IcSAIN'S YALU-
ATOMS. TAXES IN Ell PASO WOULD
HAVE BEEN CUT ABOUT HALF IF
THE EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY
HAD NOT INCREASED SINCE BE
TOOK OFFICE.
II the cost OF operating the city
something the tax assessor and col
lector has nothing to do with-had not
increased since he went into office in
1915. the tax burden this year would
have been reduced 40 percent. or. 10
make il more plain, If a person pays
$50 this year, the sum would be $50 il
the city was only spending the same
amount required the year Mr. McSain
went into office.
He increased the valuations Of the
railroads. street car, gas companies
and business houses and large prop
erty owners in the business district TO
bring this about-Political advertise
menL