The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-04-11
advancement do establish and en-
dorse the following platform:

advancement do establish and en-
dorse the following platform:
Because of the existence of the
war and of the lack of available
funds during the past two years, we
approve the conservative policy,
which has been followed by the
present council.
The City of Blackfoot has been 60
ing steadily in debt year after year
for a good many years until at the
present time it's outstanding war
rant Indebtedness amounts to $780,
900. These warrants have been is
sued for necessary and legitimate
expenditures over period of years,
and it is therefore evident that to
run this city, even in the manner in
which it has been run, costs more
money than has been heretofore
raised by taxation. We therefore
indorse the action of the present
mayor and council in their proceed
ings looking to the issuance Of $780,
900 in bonds for the purpose of re-
deeming the outstanding warrants.
The bonds will reduce the rate of
interest from 7 per cent to perhaps
) " per cent and will give the city
from ten to twenty years in which
to pay it's honest debts. The bond
issue will at the same time without
increasing the taxes, make it pos
sible to raise from $4,000 to $4,000
a year for the next several years,
which money can be used for i'm
provements instead of paying the
warrants now outstanding.
III.
The present total cash valuation
of the property in Blackfoot is ap-
proximately $2,000,000 Under the
law, not more than fifteen mills on
the dollar of this valuation can be
levied for general revenue purposes.
This will raise 100000 Out of this
amount must be paid interest on the
bonded Indebtedness, the salaries of
the city officers and employees,
water, lights, and other ordinary
running expenses. 1t Is clear, there
fore, that the city council, as a body,
can spend but very little for street
improvements. But we favor, and
will work for, the creation of special
Improvement districts in the city for
the purpose of building, at the ex-
pense Of the abutting property own
ers, hard surface streets to connect
the present paved district with the
hard surface roads to be laid to the
city limits by the county. If the
AUDITING property owners should re-
fuse to sign the necessary petitions
for such street improvement, then
we would favor the expenditure of |
as much money out of the general
fund as could be spared for that pur-
pose.
Until the city has an adequate |
water system We are not in favor Of |
any more street paving, except as
stated in the proceeding paragraph. |
v.
We favor the strict enforcement |
of the weed and trash ordinance, but |
we think all garbage and trash,
when placed in proper receptacles |
and piles, should be hauled away by
the city.
vi.
We favor the immediate purchase
Of motor-driven street fiusher and
sweeper for use in cleaning the
paved streets and sprinkling dirt
streets.
VII.
We recommend action looking to
the removal Of the stockyards from
their present location, bringing an
action in court for that purpose If
necessary.
VIII.
Recognition should be given to
Congressman Smith for his efforts to
secure an appropriation for a federal
building for Blackfoot, and the city
council should press that matter
until the building Is secured.
TX.
We favor a rigid enforcement of
al ordinances for the health and
general welfare of the people.
MRS. w. A. BEAKLEY,
f.. G. PARKINSON.