The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-12-30
BOND ISSUES TO
ESCAPE SLASH.
UNLESS FOUGHT
State Tax Board Holds Its
Powers Are Restricted to
Appealed Cases.

Indiana's state tax board is or
record today as curbing it's own
powers of passing on local bond is
sues, brought before the board with
out appeal from protesting tax
payers.
Such bond issues will meet with
immediate approval.
This stand was announced at q
hearing on $4,000 bond proposal
of the city of Winchester Tuesday
afternoon. The bond money is to
be used for construction of long
pending sewage disposal project, il
was explained by city officials.
1t was brought to the board for
approval under a ruling of Attor-
ney-General James M. Ogden
which sets out that under the bud
get limitation statute, passed by the
1881 egislaturegail bond issues must
be reviewed by the state board.
Project Strongly Urged
Having heard of the local budget
slicing of the state board, which
besides drawing statewide criticism
resulted in two suits in Marion
county courts unfolding home-rule
for Indianapolis, Winchester off,
Gals and a group of citizens were or
hand to press their cause.
Included in the group were the
mayor, city councilmen, city con-
troller and farmers whose lands
border White river. The latter were
to testify regarding stream pollu-
ton, which will be prevented by the
new sanitary project.
More than a decade has elapsed
since the sewage disposal proposal
first was considered, it was ex-
planned to the board members. Since
that time the estimated cost has
dropped from 100000 to $4,000.
In the interim the stream has be-
farm had to abandon milking thirty
COWS which we're pastured on its
banks, and even hogs drinking from
the river refuse to grow fat, it was
asserted.
only Appellate Powers"
Damage suits loom against the
city and would cost more than the
sewage disposal plant, it was de.
clared. City officials pointed out
that the bond issue had been adj
vertised and not a single objec-
ton raised to it by the citizenry
The city well can afford it at this
time, it was commended.
After hearing this evidence
Philip Zoercher, veteran member
of the state tax board, announced
the boards stand.
I'VE never have considered this
board as having anything but ap-
pellate power" he declared. II
there is no objection from taxpay-
ers we are going to approve bono
issues and preserve the rights o.
the community"
Zoercher then moved approva
of the Winchester bonds and Chair
man James Showalter of the ta2
board and Commissioner Pliny
Wolfard assented, making the ap-
provel unanimous and indorsine
Zoerchers stand.
Aid to Job Program
DR.. William F. King, state health
director, and Lewis Finch, chief Of
the sanitary division of the state
health department, attended the
hearing.
The Winchester approval paves
the way for fostering such sanitary
improvements now as public works
designed to give employment, it was
pointed out.
King and Finch are members OF q
subcommittee of the state commit
tee on unemployment relief which is
pushing such projects.
Charles H. Hurd, indianapolis en-
gineer, was consulting engineer for
the city of Winchester in planning
the system which was approved by
the state board of health.