The diamond drill., 1921-03-19
GAFFNEY AND AxEIS0N TELL RE-
PORTER WHAT THEY WILL Do
AxElsoN TO PAY BONDS
Gaffney Cites Tax Comparisons,
Interest Paid BY Banks And
Suggests Lower Rates

In order that both OF the candidates
Tor Mayor OF this city might tell the
people where they stand on every
subject OF public policy in which the
people are interested The Diamond
Drill opened its columns TO both
candidates this week by publishing
interviews. These interviews are
published on the theory that the news
paper is a public servant and, irres-
pective OF the personal likes of its
elitor candidates for public office and
the people in general are entitled TO
an accurate statement OF Just where
each candidate stands without bias
one way or the other. The report OF
these interviews have been submitted
TO each candidate after they we're put
into type for correction.
Mr.. Gaffney's Position
The reporter found Mr.. Gaffney in
the Iron County National Bank after
closing hours and after explaining to
him our intentions he sat down ana
gave answer TO the following ques-
tions put TO him by the reporter:
Il would appreciate very much II
your would correct for me certain
statements that are being made about
my candidacy and about my conduct
OF the Office OF mayor when / was
mayor in 1917
1T is claimed that was an extra
VACANT Official then and IL am chosen
now / will increase taxes. A glance
at the tax rate of 1917 and 1920 will
answer that question. In 1917 the
assessed valuation OF this city was
s2,7S4.390 and the tax rate was .03S23;
last year the assessed valuation was
$3.22S.497 and the rate .03979. When
/ was mayor in 1914 we put in sew
ers, built a city hall and did a lot
other work. The assessed valuation
that year was $2,7S2.Sl5 and the tax
rate was .029. All want is for those
opposing me to tell the truth
Again, our present charter fixes
the tax rate at a certain limit The
limit has been reached the past two
years. Taxes can't be increased with
out increasing the valuation.
but, the accusation that is made
against me most frequently and one
that l resent most is that l am a sort
of a figurehead. put up for the pur-
pose OF creating condition whereby
the bank that | happen TO work for
may get an unfair advantage over the
city. | resent II for two reasons;
first such stories seek to put me in
the light Of mere puppet. one who
has no mind OF his own and secondly
II convicts me, before trial, OF a dis
honest act. l see no reason why |
should be singled out for abuse be-
cause happen to make my living
working for bank instead OF a groc-
cry store. have TO earn my living
the same as every other wording man
i'm this city and have always tried
TO be fair with everyone in public
way.
II feel deeply over this because Il
belittles me and is so contrary TO the
facts. ] Just secured some figures
from Mr.. Gribble to show you how
malicious and utterly without foun-
dation these statements are. Take
this question OF interest we hear so
much about and which Is peddled to
injure me. During the year 1920
the Iron County National Bank OF
which am cashier. paid to the City
OF Crystal Falls interest TO the a.
mount OF exactly $500 on funds which
were on deposit In that bank during
that year During the same year the
Crystal FANS National Bank paid 10
the City OF Crystal Falls interest to
the amount OF s1OS.1l for funds on
deposit in that bank. Never Is any
thing said about the interest the in
stitution work for paid TO the city
by those who seek TO prejudice peo-
pie against me and, therein ] am done
a great injustice
Il want Il distinctly understood
that this comparison OF interest pay
meut a not made by me IN any spirit
OF antagonism 20 the competing in
stltution. II IS simply made to show
how unfair some people are and TO
what extent they will hide the truth.
I have said In my platform, and l say
Il again. now. that should be elected
/ will favor the distribution Of funds
equitably between the banking instit-
utIons OF this city TO the city's best
advantage. I will work TO give both