The independent-reporter., 1924-02-28
4 Further Discussion OF Town Affairs
by Clyde H. Smith
Continued from Page One)

to Norridgewock owed the town $4,000
for crushed stone. After trying for
some time to Obtain this money the
Road Commissioner asked me to as
sist in making collection. The claim
was taken up with the Highway Com
mission, and the town promptly paid
in full.
With the exception of the several
times that Mr.. Soule himself has ask
ed ME for information, the above con-
stftutes my attempts to control town
affairs, and I defy any man to truth
fully state otherwise.
During the past year it has not been
difficult to purchase hard coal. The
town voted without opposition to con-
tinue in the fuel business, and yet
this department has handled only $50
tons of anthracite coal, and while Mr.
Young has been selling for seventeen
and eighteen dollars many were OBJ
liged to pay another concern S2O50
per ton. More activity by our town
officials would have relieved to some
extent this condition. 1t is possible
that the towns failure to procure
more hard coal explains the extraor-
binary efforts being made in behalf OF
my opponent by the gentlemen selling
fuel at the higher prices. AS before
stated on many occasions, IL our town
had regular coal dealers with storage
plants end handling equipment man
aged by men like Charles Young or
conducted after the manner of the
Farmers Union, there would be no
need, no demand for a Municipal fuel
yard
Far more important than the issue
of whom may serve you as First Sc
lectman is the question of taxation. A
real effort is being made in our state
and nation to lower taxes. A large
number of our towns and cities have
succeeded in so doing, the average
tax rate having been reduced from
421a to 38 mills. During the past
year Skowhegan's rate has increased
from 81 to 40 mills. and the amount
left over from receipts after paying
all expenditures is S4S939 as compar-
ed with $5,663.55 one year ago. 1t
behooves every taxpayer to attend
town meeting to do everything posi-
BILE to relieve this burden. If some
thing is not done in this direction the
result will be most far reaching. 1t
will serve to keep away new indus
tries, to retard natural growth and
development. Should all of the de
mands contained In next town meet
ing warrant for money be granted our
tax rate would be near to fifty mills,
meaning that once in every twenty
years our entire property would be
, turned over for taxes.
When it became known that Mr.
Soule was to retire and | had de-
cided TO become a candidate hurried
calls were in order, secret meetings
held, all for The purpose Of bringing
about my defeat at any cost, simply
because | have fought for the peoples
interest and would not surrender tc
selfish combinations.
irresponsible citizens are bound to
make thoughtless and untrue state
ments during the excitement of a
campaign. Among many rumors al
ready started an attempt has been
made to connect me with a new Sc
cret organization. The author oi
such propaganda will do we'll not tC
betray his identity for | will not toll
crate such tactics.
| Next town meeting morning I will
be ready to defend every official act
performed during nine years of SER
vice rendered to the town as select
man. Also to answer any and all mis-
! statements that may be made during
! this contest that are offered too lat,
for correction through the columns OF
this paper.
| l am grateful for the hundreds oi
! offers OF support, many of which come
1 from those who have heretofore yotet
/ for other candidates. IL elected, fail
and courteous administration of oul
towns affairs will be the goal. II
defeated, my efforts will continue tC
support those ideals that will help t,
make Skowhegan a bigger, better ant
buster town.
CLYDE II. SMITH
: