Imperial Valley press., 1920-12-11
TAXPAYERS PASS
RESOLUTIONS ON
GRAND JURY ACT

Two resolutions were passed by the
taxpayers mass meeting yesterday
which expressed we'll the concensus of
opinion at the meeting. The first res
olution deals with matters of retrench
ment and recommendations to various
official bodies in the county. The
second deals specifically with the
grand jury report.
The first resolution is as follows:
Resolution
Whereas, there exists condition IN
Ilaperiz. county threatening the very
financial lie OF all owners OF proper
= E-57E1- about by the excessive, in
tolerzole, unfair, unequal, unpreoe-
8z1ted and uEdreamed Of taxation I'M
posai upon this community for the
fiscal year 1920-21. which taxation, in
many Instances, Is virtual confisca-
Ilon Of property, and,
Whereas. there can be no question
as 70 Lhe dire consequences Of such ex-
cessive taxation, which is now being
fer By ali, property owner, farmers,
and business institutions alike; and,
Whereas, these deplorable condi-
11Cns nave been caused largely by the
apathy and carelessness Of the tax
payers themselves, heretofore in not
locking mere carefully into the expen-
citure OF public funds; and particular
y II voting recklessly for any old
bond issues 70 an extent much greater
than our resources would allow; but
more particularly in the election to
public office OF men who have not al
ways seemed 1o~naye the interests of
-he taxpayers at heart, and who have
used the peoples money with waste
fulDess and extravaganza beyond the
dictates Of reason or good business
acumen, and,
Whereas, the supervisors of I'm
perial county have created from time
70 time various fictitious boards for
the sole purpose Of increasing salar-
Ies Of deputies, clerks and county Off
cials, IN some instances to the amount
Of 80 per cent in excess of the legal
salary designated and allowed by stat
ute, and for which compensation there
has been given no return in services
by such beneficiaries, it being a pure
subterfuge only, and for which there
can be no reason, excuse or precedent |
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that |
the taxpayers Of Imperial county call !
upon all those who have the future |
good of this community at heart to do !
all IN their power 70 bring about nor /
nal conditions and a reduction Of this |
Durdensome tax; that to this end a
demand be made upon all public Off
cials, including city trustees, irriga- (
tIon directors, county supervisors and
the trustees Of all school boards in (
Imperial county to adopt the most ,
rigid economy henceforth in conduct /
ing public business, so that not only !
a stop may forever be placed on
wagtefuinegs and extravaganza, but .
also TO the end that very substan- !
tial surplus be saved out Of this years .
tax collections 10 be applied on that Of /
next year, thereby helping to reduce /
the levy for the year 1921-22; and,
BE It further resolved, that no fur
thcr bond issues, unless Of the most |
vital Importance, be countenanced un- |
til taxes have been brought down to a
normal and reasonable basis; and,
BE It further resolved, that the Tax !
payers League demand that the su- /
pervisors Of Imperial county imniedi- /
ately stop all further payments of sal !
aries Of whatsoever kind which are in
excess Of the amount allowed by the 1
state, including those to deputies and
clerks designated as purchasing
agents. and TO county officials desig- Il
mated az development board" and
further, that means should be found
to force the return 70 the county treas
urer of all such money illegally paid
out; and,
Be it still further resolved, that any
movement 10 bring about further In
crease pt salaries through action N
the next state Legislature. Of clerks, .
deputies o. other public official Of thig