Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1932-11-03
Bond Issue Is
Wisest Solution

The taxpayers of King county arc
going through an era of expenditures
during these hard times that bids fair
to Guido the drunken orgies of ex-
travagance during the prosperous
times. The reckless abandon in which
the voters authorized millions Of dol
lars In the erection of the Harborview
Hospital, the l4th Avenue South
Bridge, the air port and the County
City building addition, sinks into in
significance compared to what is fac
ing us today as result of our present
depression, namely:
The feeding, housing and general
care of more than $4,000 unemployed
in our midst The law makes it man.
datory that these people must be prop
erly cared for by the taxpayer. Add
to this recent decision by the SUI
preme court Of the State Of Wash
ington, which declared that there was
no limit to the bonded indebtedness
as far as relief expenditures went, is
a situation far more serious than any
other that has ever faced King county.
Bond issues calling for improve
ments can be turned down by the
voters at the general election, but this
privilege is not afforded them for re-
lief.
The coanty commissioners have an
authority greater than that of the
governor of the state. If necessary,
this county can be bonded for relief
up to its entire valuation The in
debtedness of King county, covering
every branch, is $l5.620, 10000. The
retirement of bonds amounting to $l2,-
10000, together with interest, is man.
datory each year.
The administrative cost of govern
ment, which takes care of the ex-
penses and payrolls OF every elective
office in King county, is approximate
ly $1,25000O per year.
King county is spending for relief
work today 100000 per month, or
s3s60,0o0 per year, an amount nearly
three times greater than its admin
istrative cost. Add to this the retire
ment of bonds, interest, school tax and
your municipal taX-and visualize, If
you can, where we are drifting.
Every holder and owner of a piece
of property in King county, whether
it be personal or real. must pay this
bill. There is no other source Of
revenue for government Every bond
issue is mortgage on your property.
While the expenditure of 100000
per month is required today to care
for our unemployed, with the coming
of winter this will increase until it
will reach approximately $4,000 per
month.
King county, for many months has
been on warrant basis. The satura-
ton point for warrants and bonds has
about reached the limit.
Should King county secure the $685.
600 from the Reconstruction Finance
Corporation, and should the voters
vote the 100000 refunding bond is
sue, which will be on the November
9th, ballot, this will at least place
King county once more on a cash
basis.
If, in addition to this, the voters
vote the 100000 relief work program
bond issue, and this added to the
city's work relief program. which in
cludes $75O0oo for extension of its
water main, and there is possibility
of securing s3,5oo,00o for the compile
ton of the Diablo Project of City
Light, should enable a work program
to be promulgated that will carry us
far into the summer months.
1t is hoped that by this time con-
ditions will be so that private inter-
ests will be able to swell their ranks
with the unemployed. The assessed
valuation Of all property in King
county, on which taxes are levied for
these expenses, is 1884, 1856 0s8. There
is exempt from taxation by statute in
King county, property valued at s22l,-
$4,000 practically two-thirds as
much as the property paying taxes, is
exempt, and pays no cost Of govern
ment whatsoever. There are 100000
personal tax assessments, $4,000 seq
regation of land and 119,437 buildings
which bear the burden that is facing
the taxpayers today.