The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-01-31
Lumberman Opposes


Mr.. Royse was not in favor of the
occupation tax, and thought it better
to raise the money by regular levy,
but make it high enough to clean up
the outstanding warrants in two or
three or few years. Mr.. Davis
thought 1t could be done in about
three years, but it would be one year
from now when we should receive
our first relief and one year is a good
while to be without firemen and with
out sale for our warrants that are
issued expecting as we may impose
upon the good nature of the bank
in carrying them at a relative loss
as compared with other investments
or loans at a higher rate of returns.
Editor Against 1t
Editor Trego said he was opposed
to the principle of the occupation tax
because it was making some men pay
their own share and that of others,
just because of his occupation or be-
cause it was possible to get ready
money out of him quicker. He said
the people had been coming to the
council for years asking for more
lights and more of everything they
desired, and got it at city expense,
and feeling had grown up among
many people that whatever was
charged to the city did not cost any
thing; that by some mysterious
means 1t took care Of itself, and IL
the occupation tax were levied It
would be lending color to that fall
lacy. He wanted the people who
asked for the things represented in
this debt to pay their first proportion
of the debt and to keep it in mind
when they asked for other things
in future, that everything they OBJ
tanned thru the council was going to
be paid for by themselves. There
were too many people holding the
idea that they are part of the gov
ernment when it comes to asking for
what they want, but not q part of It
when 1t comes to paying the bills.
He said that II we follow the custom
of going to the business houses for
money for all the multitudinous
things that society needs, such cost
all has to be added to the cost of the
goods sold and 1t serves to drive trade
away from the town to other places
where they do not burden the mer-
chants with miscellaneous expenses,
and all sorts of charities.
Ex-Mayor Rebels
Ex-Mayor Peck said he was op-
posed to the occupation tax for the
reasons already stated and for the
further reason that an indebtedness
of $163,000 for town like Black
foot Is not an amount to be alarmed
about, and he did not want the word
to 90 out that Blackfoot's finances
were 80 low that the merchants had.
to take on the load to save the town.
He said he did not believe 1t was go
ing to run our warrants down below
par to 60 along as we have been do.
ing until we can make another levy
and collect It.
Attorney Says No ,.t.pt. :.
A. s. Dickinson said he was op-
posed to the occupation tar as q prin-.
ciple and for the reason that Il wss
both unsatisfactory, unjust and hard
to get rid Of after It was once en-
acted. He had seen 1t tried and
while 1t was very unpopular. yet It
seemed that the more unpopular Il
was, the harder it was to getrit re-
pealed. He had watched 1t in q. town
where he lived fifteen years, and It
had been in vogue before be. went
there and is still In effect and as un-
popular as ever. It was not III ac-
cordance with the principles of our
government to make one man carry
the tax burdens of others.
Auctioneer Is willing 7,
N. e. Montgomery said he was in
favor OF the occupation tax and he
was willing to pay his, eltho he had
but little property on which to pay IL
1t were collected thru the levy In
stead of the occupation tax, and he
would have to pay thru three sources
II the 0ccupat0in tax we're collected.
He said he thought that most Of the
men in business would be glad to pay
the occupation tax. for he had heard
some Of them say that was their
choice. 80
When asked to name some of them
he said, why there Is Mr.. Thofsten-
berg for ono. He can speak for HIM
self"
Partner Is Willing
Mr.. ThOrstenberg said he had made
that remark and he meant T.. He
said it was hard to sell real estate
here because taxes are 30 high, men
coming into the town and looking
over the situation say they can't af-
ford to own property and they prefer
to rent. They can loan their money
and pay rent and come out winner.
Taxes are 80 high he was ashamed
to tell men how high they were. for
fear they would leave town. Mr..
Royse chipped in the. rematk that
when men asked him about taxes he