Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1924-06-05
VOTE 5 MILLS
EXTRA EXTRA LEVY to TO.
CITY.
Strong Opposition Develops
to Increase in Taxes Ask
ed by Municipal Officers
Hold More Money Necessary
in Order That Affairs May
Be Efficiently Administered

With not vote to Spare, in order
30 make the necessary two-thirds ma
jOrity. increase of > mills in Grange
ville's municipal tax levy was author
lied by mass meeting of voters in
the courthouse. last Thursday night.
The vote .was 66 in favor of the in
creased levy, and 80 against. One vote
taken from the Sc and added to the 81
would have lost the measure to the
city administration, which sponsored
the increased levy, held necessary in
order that the city government could
function efficiently.
Under the present law, the city coun-
Gil may make a 10-mill levy, but any
levy over that amount must be APP
proved by two-thirds vote of the
qualified voters, of the city.
DIR. GREEN HEADS OPPONENTS
The battle started with the cleo
ton of a temporary chairman of the
meeting, John 2. Eimers was elected
chairman. He received 81 votes,
while DIR. G. A. Green, leader of the
opposition, received 80 votes. H. Tay-
lor was elected secretary of the meet
In9- anu tlt ltllDOIdly OISdulLdtlO
was made permanentA
Mayor c. H. Wood, in explaining
why the council was asking for the
Increased levy, said the expense of the
city has averaged $3.50 a month. In
1919. the levy was II mills, the may
or Said. in 1920, II mills, and in 1921,
II mills The mayor explained that
the assessed valuation in the city
had dropped from $4,000 to $685.
00C He said that, in 1928, the levy
was only 10 mills because of $500
surplus in the city treasury, which
has been consumed during the last
year, and therefore it was necessary
to increase the levy for 1924, partic-
ularly in view of the drop in assessed
DR. G. A. Green. speaking for the
opposition to the city administration.
then addressed the meeting.
CUT DOWN EXPENSES
There is only one way to cut down i
expenses, and that is to cut down ex-
said DIR. Green. The doc
tor said he felt Grangeville could have
rot along without the street improve
ment that is now under way. He in
the mayor on salaries paid
city officials, and then launched an at
tack ON the street commissioner and
the police officer, saying he felt the
work done by the two men could be
lone by one man.
A. L. Gilkeson then offered resolu-
ion authorizing the increased levy of
) mills.
mo one man can do the work OF
street commissioner, night watch and
declared City Clerk HI. Tay-
or. IF you fail to vote this levy, I
he blush of shame will be on your
.heeks before the end of the summer" {
COULDN'T PAY BILLS
Mr.. Taylor said that, if the levy
we're confined to 10 mills, and the city
unds were exhausted before the end
# the year, the city simply could not
,ay it's bills, as it was illegal for
to draw deficiency war
ants. He suggested that the present
administration be not handicapped,
nd that the 10-mill levy be made an
ssue at the city election next spring. I
w. w. Brown also talked in behalf '
# the city administration, speaking Q
rom his experience as former city c
ficial.
By rising vote, the extra levy was |
arried. &C to 80. Had the levy not
cen authorized, it was the intention
f the city council, as an economy
leasure. to shut off the street lights,
eginning last Monday night. O