Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-02-14
EVENING EDITION.
lBy NJ. Bridstonl

thigh taxes,with high; cost of liv-
ing, throughout the United States,
Eeaehed the high peak during 1920
9hd p vperceptible decrease will
probably 3e noticed until 1922, ac-
cordlng to some Observers
taxes in East Grand Forks have
peen no exception to the rule,: and
nave perhaps, been exceptionally high |
mere the past two years, on account
OF the loss of both the city hall n
the high school buildings which had
\ 70 be rebuilt when the cost Of labor
tha material was at the highest.
Many people have a wrong attitude
) toward taxes. They are generally re-
g9rSsd as a necessary evil, to he paid
grudgingly, because they must be
\ paid. No direct and personal gain is
manifested, and therefore many feel
they are giving somethingffor nothing.
Taxes, as a matter of fact are one
o. the foundations of civilized society.
society hires somebody to do some
thing which its members indiyidua-
\ ally cannot. do. = 1t must pay for this
J service and taxes are the result. Pub
improvements, buildings, parkA
S$etc, are demanded by the public and
ca9not be realized without cooper
at1ve efforts on the part of all. The
logical outgrowth Of this need, was
taxes; very convenient, very simple
but at times somewhat of a hardship.
Taxes An Investment
Looking at It from. this viewpoint,
closer analysis It, is found that there
is a great deal of truth,.n it. To make
money one must spend money. To
reap dividends one must invest, pro-
= vldfqg the Investment is good. h
Sxable property Of a successful. grow
Ing business will increase, as will also
the ability to pay these taxes. This
also applies to an individual. In the
came way that the merchant invests
money in his business to make it more
efficient, more attractive and hence
judiciously invest their money in
those projects which make for more
efficiency and prosperity in public
3tfairs.
Must Mako City Attractive
Ono OF the big cost items of the
? successful merchant is the attractive
fixtures and decoration of his place
of business. His stock must be or
dcrly and presented to please the eye
OF the prospective customer. He
knows this creates an atmosphere OF
substantially and confidence that is
necessary for a ~renlunerative business
The say principle applies to civic
{EovcrnD nj. There would not be
much inlucemcnt for a stranger to
rlingeF in Il city with unpaved streets,
poorly lighted, sidewalks full of holes,
rubbish II garbage littering the
alleys and a general atmosphere of
shabbiness permeating everything. He
would So elsewhere, and every citi-
it is seen thai taxes are an invest
mcnt. and also an. absolute necessity
for orderly government. and for the
promotion of those projects which
make for public prosperity.
ITO be able to pay our taxes we
must increase II taxes" was the gist
OF George Downham's> remarks at the
taxpayers meeting last. Monday night.
THAI sounds like a paradox but on
would be a matter of saving the pen
ny and losing the dollar.
Nothing succeeds like success" II
has been said. and this is just as true
of the successful. efficient, hustling'
wide awake city as it is Of the indi-
vidual. but that means, a certain
amount of investment on the part OF
the citizens. In order to make 1t so
and the dividends will be just as sure
as the hsst stock Investment.
The taxes in East Grand, Forks, the
past two years. have been high, 1bu'
as a result the city has two new
buildings of which it may be proud
and which are a decided asset to tn
community, amer the new CllS MAJ
AMI the new high school. They will
stand as monuments Of lthe spirit O.
progress of those who built them long
after they are gone.
The 70 lowing figures compiled b!
City Clark a.. N. Briggs show that N
undue extravaganza has featured tn
X management Of the city affairs.
It will be noted in the above fig
ures that the levy to be mad in 1872:
for 1922 as contrasted with that mac
In 1920 fob 1921, will be lower b!
the following items; $4,000 as TO
bridge repair. $4,000 to replac
amount borrowed from the funds t,
pay for the fire and city hall. which
will LAY been paid for $3.50 TO
interest as $1,000 worth of water
works bonds will have been paid off
81, 900 less for the street department
as labor will undoubtedly be cheap
err; $3.50 less for fuel for the differ
ent departments. This makes o tota