The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-11-23

supreme court holuS Chat a nat1onaI
bank is liable for taxes only in sum
that would be subsequently equival-
ent to what such bank would pay in
the event that the bank was assessed
under the income tax laws as are all
other corporations.
1t is understood that the other
banking institutions of the city will
claim the same privilege and will
maintain that they are Disseminated
against unless allowed to be taxed
: under the same conditions.
Not City's Question.
City Attorney Higgins told the
council that in his opinion the ques-
ton was not one which the city could
decide. He declared that the ruling
of the supreme court affected only
banks organized as national banks and
that others could not come under its
ruling. He declared that the only
way in which the banks named could
expect to pay taxes by offering a set
Element similar to that made by the
First National bank was to become
organized and recognized as a national
bank. 1t was declared that this bene-
4 fit for national banks was claimed to
be one which Offset some of the dis
advantages of regulations laid down
for all national banks.
City Clerk Harrington said that the
amount of the tax assessment had al
ready been sent to Madison and that
the application of the banks for
changes would, if granted, have to be
forwarded to Madison.
May Go Into Courts.
There seemed indication that the
case might go into the courts mas
much as the principle involved is one
which would apply to hundreds of
banks throughout the state of Wis
consin.
Later In the meeting City Attorney
Higgins presented his report to the
city on the offer Of settlement made
by the First National Bank, declar-
ing. that he had looked into the legali-
ties of the case and believed that the
city should accept the offer and make
arrangements to pay the rebate sought
by an appropriation in the budget for
next year. The report was referred
to the committee of the whole.
City Attorney Higgins Resigns.
City Attorney Edward F. Higgins
presented to the council his resignation
asking that 1t become effective on De-
cember the 1st. A motion to refer the
resignation to the city manager, was
blocked, the latter maintaining that
final decision must ultimately be taxi
EN- by the council and asking that
action be taken Immediately on the
resignation. A motion was then pass
ed accepting the resignation.
Attorney Edward F. Higgins has
been city attorney of Kenosha since
the resignation Of Judge John c.
Slater to assume the municipal court
bench He has had the difficult task
of closing up the legal affairs of the
old administration and of ushering in
the city manager form of government
during the two years which he has
| held the Office and in this has been
very efficient. III
No successor to the office has yet
been named by the council.
To Have Water Survey.
The council voted unanimously to
authorize the city manager to enter
into contract with a water survey
company for the purpose of making a
water survey of the city% The expert
ence of the city of Madison is con-
Quoting such survey and the ad-
vantages derived there, were shown
to the council. The work is to start
as soon as possible.
1t was also voted to sign a contract
with the Manufacturers Appraisal
company of Chicago to make an ap-
praisal of various city properties in
keeping with provision of the city
manager law.
Adopt Accounting System.
Upon the recommendation of City
Manager Osborn, the council voted
unanimously to adopt the accounting
system authorized by the state tax
commission for use in all of the de-
partments of the city government. Ar
official of the commission will come
to Kenosha in the near future, to in
stall the new system. Similarly il
was voted to have the state tax COM
mission make the annual audit of the
affairs of the city.
Options which were taken several
weeks ago on the properties owned By
Peter Stump and by Fred G Hannahs
and wife in the tract needed for the
civic center protest, were taken up by
the council. The price named in the
; former was $4,000 and in the second
$4,000.
Statements from the A. F. Stahl
company, (which has secured the OPP
tions and closed the deal on all Of
the properties acquired by the CITY
recently, were presented, showing that
the company is to be paid one and one
half per cent on the deals in keeping
with an agreement made with the
council. The amounts sought on deals
that have been closed were allowed.
The council discussed for several
hours questions involving the policy
which the city is to take regarding
sewer and water assessments in the
) future but no decision was reached
on either question. Much time was
also given to the discussion of the
project of building an open ditch to
drain the lake shore tract south OF
Kenosha, which project has been
halted by failure to secure an easement
4 through some of the property there.