Paragould soliphone. (Paragould, Ark.) 1918-1950, 1921-10-10

CONTINUED From Page one)
was almost totally ignored and the
one Of Yesterday afternoon was only
fairly we'll attended. but reason
ably good representation Of both the
business firms and citizens was in
attendance They handled the sub
ject according to their best Judg-
ment and instructed Secretary Sted-
man TO compile the list Of assess
ments from the list of last year
when about 100000 had to be
raised for the same purpose. and
proceed to make collections.
As previously stated, the city
treasury is depleted Of funds ana
There is no money on hand With
which to meet the other absolutely
essential expenses of the depart.
mont. An amount Of approximate
,ly 100000 must be raised if the
lire fighters are to be paid for their
lscryicos in protecting the city, 9th
erNse the plan Of operating that
very important protective arm OF
| the city must be revised or abolish
ed The citizens could not expect
| the fire boys to tender their ser
vices gratis. If they should retire
from the department it would
mean that the town would have tc
iput up with volunteer system that
would prove very unsatisfactory.
| According to the statement issued
| by the city officials, the treasury
| has become in its present depleted
condition by reason Of the fact that
more than nne-half of the towns
Indebtedness Of 100000 has beer
paid this year, together with pay
| ing interest Oh the total amount
Another item Of slightly more thar
| $1,200.00 has been paid on th(
fire truck Indebtedness. Receipts
from licenses and other sources o,
revenue have dWindled tn alnOs
Inothing and there is no other re
t,naininG source from which casl
lmay be accumulated As preTiousl!
Istated, NEST Of the officials OF th'
lefty have deferred the collection o
Their salaries till April of next year
with the exception of the member
lof the police department. in orde,
to accommodate expense money, hu
Their action in that respect is no
lSufficient to meet the situation.
This paper, in setting forth TIL
lpresent situation is offering no ex
Icuse for the present financial con
ldition OF the city. That's not III
Tissue. The officers in charge OF tn
! city's administration were electet
i By majority of the citizens ant
they are theirs to uphold or con
idcmn, Just as they choose. We be
lieve. however, that The official
have handled the financial affair
at least reasonably we'll. Rnr tn
lnoint now to ne cleared up is IN
raising Of that 81 100000 with Whic.
to pay the fire department the cit
will owe them before the first o
the year comes around. Secretar
lStodman will call upon those assess
ed for the amounts named. lie wil
lido this work gratis and upon in
distractions OF the public meetin
that was called for the purpose q
Eleyising the plan of raising tn
money. His only interest i'll tn
undertaking is to help solve YER
Important problem that has arise
land Que that must be dispose0 OF.
The Chamber Of Commerce wishe
so impress upon the minds Of thoS
contributing TO the fund that In
| money SHALL he used exclusively 10
l}hq defrayment CT the five depart
mcnt'. expense and shall he paid on
bv that commercial body 1hrong
its secretary. Alr. Stcdman. Non
.tof tho funds viii be placed N III
City treasury, neither viii me boar
q aldermen have anything tn L
tvith paying it out. II is fnrthe
l'9t' St ~ ih-P| - ''PN" '+'' P'-''''
ithat il wjll be impossible for NJ
Stedman 10 personally visit everyon
and citizens are requested TO CA
upon him and pay their assessment
Everyone owning property in th
icity Will he expected to coutribut
: something to the fund. The amour
Is too great for the business firm
alone to pay ali OF il, the Chambe
; o. Commerce thinks