Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-08-24
FEAR POLITICS
RULES MOVE TO
CUT TAX RATE
Members of County Council
to Investigate PrOpa-
ganda' Charge.
MOTIVE IS QUESTIONED

Inquiry will be made by certain
members of the Marion County Council
prior to the annual meeting Sept. 6, to
determine If the proposed reduction in
the county tax rate from 31h cents to
q cents for 1922. is political propa-
ganda' for the purposes Of strengthen
ing the positions Of the Shank George
Tutewiler Fesler faction in the county or
ganization.
Councilmen Indicated today they were
not going to jump at the tax rate re
duction bait" until the entire question has
been considered carefully by the coun-
cilmen sitting as an informal commit
tee prior to the annual September meet
ing, at which the budget is fixed and
the tax levy Determined for next year.
President W. D. Haverstick Of the Coun-
ty council sal dthe eouncilmen will be
called together Informally within few
days TO go over the items on the budget
and to discuss the proposed reduction in
the county tax rate.
AT this time ] I'M not fully advised Of
ell conditions" Mr.. Haverstick stated,
For that reason I do not care to be
quoted on that point at this time. l am
opposed TO raising the tax rate I am
heartily in favor Of reduction, but /
do not want to reduce the rate to such
point that the county business xviii be
hindered and handicapped I want to
investigate thoroughly all Of these points
before stating my position
Other members Of the council feel that
any reduction in the tax rate should re-
suit only after careful investigation on
part OF the councilmen. A councilman
pointed QUA that during the last year
thousands Of dollars have been appropri-
ated in excess Of allowances in the budget
for 1921 One councilman said he felt at
this time that County Auditor Leo X.
Fesler's proposed reduction recommen-
dalton, was too low
DECLARES PROPOSAL
POLITICAL PROPAGANDA.
This proposed. reduction in the county
tax rate is nothing more nor less than
political propaganda for the purpose Of
making It look good for the Shank
forces" a member Of the council said
today. "The whole thing is political and
nothing else
PRECEDENT Havestick is opposed to max
ing any bonded indebtedness and is
against bonding the county for ST50,000
for erecting q new bridge on Kentucky
avenue.
81 agree with Mr. Fesler on that" Mr..
Havestck said Il am sure that the
bridge can be repaired at small cost,
ompared 70 what it would cost to erect
new concrete bridge to replace the
present iron structure. / will not favor
Increasing the bonded Indebtedness OF
the county unless 1t is an absolute emer-
gency.'
II is felt that the political motive back
az the county tax rate reduction plan
might have enough force to throw the
county couucilmen in line to issue bonds
II the 1922 budget runs out before the
end Of next year Under the statutes the
council. cannot appropriate legally any
money from the general fund as all
money from this funC must be spent as
specifically stated in the budget, The
council has been doing it this year with
the apparent approval Of the State board
Of accounts. The State board. however
has Issued a statement that after Jan I,
next. all money from the general fund
must be spent as provided in the budget.