Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-05-17
WILL PUT 8-MILl TAX
UP TO A VOTE OF
THE PEOPLE
IS FIRST IN FIELD
NEW ADMINISTRATION LEADS
ILLINOIS CITIES IN ATTEMPT
TO STRAlGHTEN OUT FlNAN-
CiAL PROBLEM FORCED BY
LACK OF SALOON REVENUE.

Before the recent municipal election
there were some quarters where ac-
cusations were freely passed around
that certain prospective members Oi
the new administration were throw
ing the bull The charge, bein
somewhat of a travesty al that time,
was partially borne out last night.
when the council, sitting en- banc and
every man regaled in his toreador out
fit. grabbed the aforesaid he-cow BY
the horns and started the machinery
going on one of the most important
matters ever confronting set OF
municipal officials.
Faces $4,000 Shortage.
In other words, finding themselves
short some s20,000 in revenue, as a
result OF the well known dry wave
sweeping the country. first steps wera
taken to make up the deficit by i
preparatory move to bring about a
referendum under section /, article s
OF the cities and villages act. which
permits an S-mill tax for the purpose
OF increasing the citys income.
The tax as proposed for increase
must be adopted by a vote of the peg
pie, and after discussing all means
pro and con OF getting more cash int
the city's exchequer, including doub.
ling water rents, il was finally decided
by unmanious vote to have Acting
City Attorney Roger Clark draw up an
ordinance and submit il to the council
for ratification before giving the peo
pie crack at II in an election.
What Rates Provide.
Under the ordinance against which
no concentrated opposition is expect
ed, the city rate, by an additional
S-mill tax, would be increased from
$225 to 50, which would mean a mat
ter of only a few cents on each $40,
assessed valuation, In 1918 Ottaw.
raised $S7 600 by general taxation
With the additional mills, if passed
by referendum, the amount RAISED
would be about sl07 900, insuring easy
financial sailing even with the rev
enue reduced by the lack of $20,00l
or more in saloon licenses, which have
heretofore buoyed all previous admin
istrations above water
Sixty Days Before Fate.
To get the ordinance prepared an,
announced by Attorney Clark. approx
imately sixty days That permits .
its being held in allegiance the prope
length Of time for careful study of tn
pass on the question. In that case a,
election would not be held until som
time in July. In case relief should b
offered by new laws at Spring gfielc
however. the referendum will be don
away with and the council will accer
whatever succor the legislature has t
afford them At the present time
however, legislative relief seems onl
distantly possible, and, deciding t
take the bull by the horns withou
further delay, the council is goin
ahead making preparations now, il
stead of waiting until the law maker
at Springfield kill any relief measure
offered and leave Illinois cities .
founder in the mire of rapidly increa
ing expenses and equally as rapid
diminishing finances.
To EpIinhtep Voters
Mayor Weeks and Attorney Clar
will draw up the ordinance, and b
fore asking the people to vote upon
promise to enlighten the voters an
taxpayers on its requirements, and Il
imperative need of hasty action
keep the city on its feet financial
The proposal to increase the eli
water rents by again as much as Il
rates now are was not looked upt
with favor by the administratio
This matter was discussed thorough
before 1t was decided to abandon SUI
pan and seek refuge in the gener
taxation ports. Mayor Weeks, as we
as Commissioner of Finance Bradle
looked upon the taxation method