The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1921-02-26
Alive Or A Dead New Iberia?
VOTERS! IT'S UP TO YOU.

VOIEkS! Ill . VI ~ 1OO.
Tn connection with the city campaign for the electonI
of new Board Of Trustees it will doubt be interest
ING to the voters of New Iberia to know the folowngI
facts.
There is tax levy of ten mills assessed against ALL
city property which makes up the Corporation General
Fund This amounts in round figures to S43,OOO
But it must not be thought that the Board of Trus-
tees of this city have all of this amount with which to rum
the affairs of New Iberia.
From this ten mills there is set aside each yearI
the proceeds of one and half mills the sum of 49,
which is turned to the Parish School, Board for USE
IN city schools. i
This leaves but $4,000 IN the Genefal unu or egIl
and one half mills
When the present Board of Trustees organized theyl
found on the books of the city large amount OF out
standing Indebtedness, with no special arrangementsI
made for liquidating same.
So for four wears Commissioners Sealy, Girard andl
Viermn have been refundng these inherited debts att
the rate of $4,000 per year plus the interest OF lew
hundred dollars more.
This amount totals about $1O75O annually, equal
to the proceeds from two and half mills on the total
city assessment
This large sum of money also taken out Of the CT
tvs General Fund reducing the net revenues Tor running
the city only $25 OO equal to but six mills assess
ment
Some fortunately only few citizens evidently not
well posted on the ctys affairs, lose opportun
t to find fault with the ctys financial condition and too
often Law the blame on the Commission Council.
Personally doubt if any other city the size OF New
Iberia run on such small sum Of money! and it is
opinion that instead OF finding fault the pubic snould
give much credit to Messrs Seay Vilermin and Grard
for doing so we'll with little resources at their COM
mand
None Of these commissioners have always pleased US
in all of their official actions, "a
This is humanity impossible for any man. But we
convinced that they have at all times tried to do their
level best for New iberia in financial way and we are
sure that the results obtained than could be
pected from only six mill revenue.
There can be no doubt but that the old debts be-
ing taken up out OF the General Fund should be taken
Of by special tax that the ten mills city tax
less the mill AMI half for Schools would remain for TAX
ing care Of tie current operating expenses OF the corpor
alton.
Notwithstanding the fact that only six mills are now
being used for running New lberas entire general bust
business understand that two parties adj
vocating reduction of taxation to the minimum
If six mills is not "the minimum" we will have to con-
fess to total ignorance Of that phrase.
There is not employee on the ctys pay roll that
could be dispensed with There is not one the
city pay roll who could not earn as much more with
other New iberia pays fancy salaries,
but gets efficient men at low wages because they are
home men. None could be offered less money.
No, we cannot see how or where expenses could be
cut down any lower.
And expenses cannot be reduced how can taxes be
reduced?
It is old political gag used ever since the very
foundation of government for candidates to promise
reduction OF taxes to try to win few votes Of
thinking people.
We want New iberia to progress This city must go
ahead die We must keep up with the march Of pro-
gress or neighbors will leave us far behind.
If the business men of New iberia want to see new
industries come here, residents in, business
grow they must to it that have all the modern
improvements to offer prospective investors.
improvements cost money. They cannot be paid
for by promises. And the money that is to keep New
Iberia in her rghu place among the cities Of this State
can come but from one source-taxes.
So when man talks of reduced taxation he talks of
arrested improvements The who promises reduced
assessments also promises city that will stand STILL
while her rivals will forge ahead and leave her far be-
! hind.
When promises you lower taxes, remember
that he is also promising you dead town and depreciat
ed investments.