, 1922-04-27
TAX
NOT CHANGED
SPECIAL SESSION CALLED BY MAYOR
FOR TAX and REVENUE ADJUST.
MENTS. ALLEGED INEQUALITIES
OF BUSINESS TAX DISCUSSED
BY TRUSTEES and citizens

RaWllnS board OF trustees met
Monday night in special session.
called together by Mayor Kell to con
slider tax and revenue matters in
general and the much discussed bust
ness and occupational tax in particu-
lar. A few minor street, W and
water matters were also taken up
and disposed of during the meeting.
There was a full attendance of the
board seated at the council table
when the melting was called to order,
while Councilman-elect p. J.Johnson
occupied a seat among the visitors
and smilingly declined an invitation
to sit with the board. Several city
officials were present, including At
torney Roster, Clerk Methudy. Mar
shall Hildebrand and Street Superin-
tendent Hayes.
The mayor was moved to call the
special meeting of the board by rath-
er persistent complaints regarding
the occupation tax ordinance and a
demand for its repeal Or modifica-
ton which seemed to be much more
general than was indicated at the
meeting. where there was no CON
certed opposition manifested. On
the contrary the opinion was quite
generally expressed that while the
law had manifest defects and pre-
sented many inequitable features Of
a minor nature. still the city must
have revenue to conduct it's affairs.
and no other means of raising funds
seemed feasible at the present time.
Discussion Opened
Trustee Perrett opened IN the
argument as OOn as a few routine
matters had been disposed of and
fnnk tIa P1nn,, TO cfntn hts y,Nrittn, -,
order to get the matter before the
house in concrete form. He stated
that he had always beer in favor OF
the o%ccupatiOnal tax until such time
as a more popular substitute could
be found, which would provide for
the cfty's needs and take the place
Of the revenue formerly derived
from saloon licenses.
The speaker called attention to
the fact that since the reins of city
government had been taken over by
Mayor Kell. there had necessarily
been some new names added to the
city pay roll, and a considerable sum
added to the budget by the pur-
chase of new equipment for the fire
department, all OF which required
money.
In conclusion Mr.. Perrett said that
Notwithstanding the fact that he was
one Of the fathers of the despised
ordinance, and was not as yet ready
to assist in killing it. he would on
sent to its repeal If the Mayor and
Trustees would promise him that
they would run the city government
without it. otherwise the occupation
tax would have to stand between the
| city and bankruptcy for the present.
Trustee LarsOn's Views
H. Larsen. who has always been
outspoken in his opposition to the !
occupation tax, followed briefly, dis
claiming any motive for opposing it
except on the ground that 1t was
unfair and worked a hardship in
many quarters and bore heavily on
some. while others, equally able to
pay a tax. escaped altogether. He
stated emphatically that he believed
the city could get along without the
tax, especially II a policy of retrench-
ment in certain quarters were in
augurated. closing his remarks by
saying that he seemed to be in a
hopeless minority, with little chance
of seeing his views prevail.
Hadsell Supports Law
X. II. Hadsell next made a short
talk in which he said he was de-
cidedly in favor OF the occupation
tax law as 1t stands. but thought a
mistake was made when the revenu
derived therefrom had been cut in
two some months ago. He said that
the general public would keep on
paying the tax whatever the council
might decide to do. With the pos
sible exception of so amending the
present ordinance as to cut out in
Justice and inequality, II such ap-
peared. he was in favor OF letting
we'll enough alone. .
Mayor Kell's Opinions.
The Mayor stated hat his attitude
on the subject of the repeal or
amendment Of the occupation tax had
been either misunderstood or mis-
construed. He had invited the