El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-04-20
RAISE TAX RATE LIMIT AND
GIVE TEACHERS MORE MONEY

MAYOR DAVIS places the right estimate on the oTlce
lll Of mayor Of FL Paso when he says its chief com
nston should be the honor attached to it. The mayors
salary is now $780, more by $500 than the governor Of
Texas receives This salary, with the high honor which
the office carries with it. should attract the best men
The mayor gives all Of his time to his Office Council
men the other hand who have proposed an increase In
their salaries from S2400 to $780, are required to give
but part Of their time to their CITY Wors ana may
retain outside business interests Capable public spirited
men can always be found who VIII be willing to serve the
city at the present salary
Increase taxation is necessary to meet increased COSTS
along al lines.
An additional 20 cents on top of this years tax rate
which is s1e6, VIII be necessary In order to give the
teachers substantial raise Unless the teachers salaries
are raised Fl Pasos school system VIII suffer and efficient
teachers VIII not be available
Last year the city schools given so cents Of the
rate they ask 70 cents Of the tax rate next year
There ways to increase the revenue for the city
One is by raising the rate the other by increasing vaua
tons Under the city charter the tax rate not exceed s.
An election has been proposed calling for the amendment
Of the charter making 1t possible for the council to FIX the
tax rate nigh $3.50 While it would not be necessary
the tax rate to this limit this year, this marx
set in order keep from again having TO amend the
uty charter should city Improvements require higher rate
The present valuations OF city properly are based upon
so percent the actual value Raising the valuations
would be unEise since it would that FL Paso would
have contribute to the state treasury cut Of all proper
ton TO other Texas cities.
It is estimated that it win take ssss57O to take care
Of the City's expenses next year
Property valuations for next year. according TO the
mayors estimate, VIII be s575ooooo. Taking this as
basis the rate would have be raised TO S235 in
GLIDING the additional 20 cents for proposed increases for
teachers salary The mayor and council, however are
going the proposed budget seeking to reduce the budget
total with the view Of lowering the proposed S5 tax rate
Before the ctys budget is finally adopted public meet
ing Of the council VIII be held to hear anything anybody
has to say the proposed expenditure Of the ys money
The mayor VII also ask the council pass ordinance
requiring public hearing the city budget each year
before adopted This plan for public budget hearing
is line with the established practice Of progressive cities
IN order that the people nay integenty discuss the
budget careful study should be given it. And the people
should express themselves the proposed salary increases
both for teachers and for public officials It Is desirable
that the limit Of the tax rate should be raised, more
money is necessary for city expenses and the basis OF
valuation IS high enough.
In order that the issue nay be clearly drawn the ooun
I'll should not submit the amendment providing for in
creased salaries for themselves This action would prac-
tcaIy assure endorsement Of the amendment for an
increased rate thus assuring advanced salaries foT
teachers without altering the basis Of valuation
-c-
While the Republicans are trying to figure ont which
candidate VIII suit their purposes best the Democrats are
trying to figure ont who among them would have the least
votes cast against him.
small baked potato with whipped cream makes an
excellent dessert when feels like spending money
-o
It takes sfeO0oOo0 daily the government now.
It is tine We LET 1t walk a while