The Nome nugget., 1920-03-20

-t u Iagsiast the proposed change of date, but .l,e burden of e, was that taxation should be based on the average amount of stock carried and not on q maxi- mum entailed by the peculiar local conditions. which compel merchants to lay in the bulk of their annual sup plies during the last month or so of the open season in order to carry the community through the seven months of the winter period.
 | The contention was supported by various arguments purporting to show that most of the winter business is done at loss; that the merchants car- ry larger stocks during the closed sea son than the volume of business jus tifies. in order to protect against short ages: that the proposed change in the ordinance aimed to make the merch- ants pay taxes when they had eight months supply of goods on hand, in- stead of at a time when an average amount are carried. as in September, and that the proposed return of the assessment date to November 10 sav- ored of class legislation. in that 1t ap- peared aimed at making the merchants bear the major portion of the com- munal taxes. The amendment was de- trl la rad r., ha s., fci warranted" as it's adoption would compel 15 or 20 business men to bear the bulk of the communal taxation burdens
 After discussing the question from a multiplicity of angles. the mercan- tile magnates suggested the appoint ment of an special assessor to handle the appraisment and assessment of taxable property; that the said asses- sor be like Caesars wife with respect to politics or political influences; that the assessments be made on a reason- able basis of valuation and at a time when an average stock is carried.
 The council in the mean time had donned their gas masks and when the enemy had fired his final shot. emerg- ed with q smile and two or three of cial gentlemen to a mild catechising regarding various phases of business operations, costs. profits. etc. in ad- dition to differing in mdld way with some of the statements made by them. Some of the councilmanic replies sug- gested d possible change of heart on the taxation subject, altho the bulk of the city lawmakers gave little in- dication that their spirit had been I moved by the flow of business elo- quence. City Attorney Cochran also addressed the council at some length on the subject, outlining the principles of taxation laws and discussing var ious phases of the taxation question. l Unshaken by the forensic ordeal. the council then turned to the matter of selec;,ns officials for thep rimary elections ard named tn following:
 Judges Fred Haris,n. s. N. Car man. Chas. Watson. Clerks. c. W. Thornton, Al Sitton
 The city hall was designat ted as tho polling place.
 | After sundry acquisitions. of the fire department for feed and other supplies had been granted, the com- mittee appointed to investigate the matter of securing lumber for street repairs reported the receipt of the tele- gram from Engineer Carpenter. This led to some discussion regarding tho reference to ships tackle" contained and whether it meant at the shipping or receiving end. The major opinion appeared to be that 1t referred to the loading point. The report of tho committee was in accordance with this view. The report was laid on the table and the committee was granted more time for investigation.
 | The Geamalis communication next came up for consideration. A motion was made to abolish the native police but failed to receive a second and also encountered strenuous opposition from several councilmen. Chairman May. nard of the police committee stated that investigation of the conduct of the native officers had failed to reveal any evidence that they are not fulfilling their duties in a proper manner. It was the view of others of the council that the dusky cops are filling a useful purpose among the native residents by keeping them out of mis- chief and the prevailing opinion was