The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-03-13
TAXATION SOLE ISSUE

NOW that the city campaign officially might be
well to define and outline the real issue There is evident
demand for lower and greater efficiency hand
ling of the cys business The Tribune is making careful
of the the cy business is being conducted for
the information of the taxpayers is not interested pri
mariy in candidates states. Neither is it seeking die
tate how the voters cast their ballots This city will get the
kind of it deserves better worseust the
voters will it.
The Tribune hopes after all the facts have been placed
before the people they make wise decision in the
terests of decreased taxes and greater efficiency
AS for T. R. Atkinson, city engineer, The Tribune has
held and still holds that the per paid him the
purchase price of the old water plant unustfed
grauity That will be tested it's legality
payers suit and maybe libel suit if Mr. Atkinson brings
one in coming term of court.
Other matters incident the construction of the new
water works department showed extravaganza in the hand
ling OF the taxpayers money
The this city dispenses with employees upon
mission basis and employs them on fixed salary the better
The also Bismarck Institutes business methods at
the city hail. will decreased tax budgets follow.
There need be mud-singing or personalities in the
campaign just plain facts CLEANED from the public records
There is necessity to drag into and hash the old
water row. The voters and this newspaper supported the
various bond issues for municipal owned plant.
Bismarck has city owned plant must be paid for at all
costs but to make that payment easier budgets for other
purposes must be held down.
The clique Of politicians whose feet the public
trough cannot threaten divert this newspaper from the
real facts confuse the taxpayer upon his
bill 1t willing to back up its statements with proof
efforts Of c Anscn and b ndse tine
contrary But it has emphasized the conviction that Mr.
Atkinson has been expensive official for the taxpayers
OF this city and suggests passing that he has the
unity dsprove this in the court action pending brought
by taxpayer to test the legality of the 81 $50 gratuy.
But Mr. Atkinson is not issue in the campaign pri-
mary He has done probably what every other engineer
would do similarly placed His business is sell his pro-
fessonal favorable market exists and Bis
marck has been most fertile field for his kind
100000 has been paid him by city, county
and state in the last few years.
But the real issue in the campaign is the policy prac
ticed by commission which will allow the
up and up until some property in Bismarck will not pay out
Responsibility does not rest upon Atkinson upon those
commissioners who allowed the oveny and loose practices
to run the tax rate up until it higher capita than
city of Bismarck's size in the nation.
Let those who seek continuance of the present policies
OF the majority OF the city commission explain the
to the people. Atkinson and the old water can be
eliminated but the city tax rate with and will be with
heirs and assigns.
Threats of libel SUITS demands for reracton and the
stale of political campaigns obscure the real
issue Lower Taxes for Bismarck Continued High Taxes
YOU CAN Take Either Mr. Voter.
Its Up to You April Z.