The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-11-01

of June 30, 1885, the latest figures
available at this time. shows that coun-
ty had an Indebtedness in bonds and
warrants Of S579,402, with a sinking
fund of $4,000, leaving a net indebted
ness at that time of S535, 402
Under consolidation Lincoln county
citizens would have to pay part of that
Indebtedness, explained as follows:
On the same date as above, Flathead
countys taxable property totaled S10,-
$4,000. Lincoln county's taxable prop
'erty is in round numbers S4,5OO 900.
Thus the two counties consolidated
would have q taxable valuation Of SIS
117,300. In other words Lincoln coun-
tvs taxable valuation would be about
30 per cent Of the total valuation in
the consolidated county. And 30 per
cent of the Flathead debt would be
S160,620, which sum the taxpayers Of
Lincoln county would assume and have
to nay under consolidation.
If by building a $4,000 court house
the citizens could stave off assuming
a debt Of $160.620 that they would fall
heir to under consolidation, it would be
good business to build the court house,
wouldn't it, Under consolidation Lin
coin county citizens would be taxed to
the extent of S160,62O for debt they
had no part in mourning. The conclu-
sion follows, vote for new court house
and help make consolidation improb-
able.
Other Objections.
County division was secured In the
first place largely because Of dissatis-
faction with treatment received by this
entire district by the parent county.
The same condition would exist under
consolidation, and this section would
probably get little consideration in the
way OF improvements, roads, etc.
Let's give summing up of the new
court house proposal.
1t is planned to build $4,000 build
ing, of which approximately 30 per cent
would be gift by the federal govern
ment That would leave the court house
costing the taxpayers $4,000 II is said
a one mill levy, over period of 20
yedTs, would pay off this sum and in
terest. Under one mill levy most Of
the taxpayers of the county would pay
less than S1.00 a year on the new
court house. Some would pay little
more, but very few would pay over So
or So year. A taxpayer with $4,000
worth of property would pay only
Sl.67 year.
Labor Provided.
Contractors state that $4,000 build
ing would provide about $4,000 worth
Of labor. That would be a real help III
these days Of unemployment and would
also help the Administration in its re-
covery program.
The present court house Is becoming
inadequate 1t and the Jail are fire traps
and there is always danger Of a seri-
Gus fire. The county library is paying
$3.50 year in rent That could be saved
with new building, and it is planned
to house both the Jail and the library
in the proposed new court house.
Some county records are now being
stored in the wood shed for lack of
space. Others are stored in the attic.
a certain prey to fire. 1t is said that
within another year more vault space
will have to be provided, another ex-
pense even if the new building is not
constructed.
In short this is the picture.
There will never be a more favorable
time than now for the building of a
new court house. The money can be
obtained at low rate of interest (4qo):
an outright gift Of S22,500 could un-
doubtedly be obtained from tn G federal
PWA. labor to the extent of 1000
would be provided for Lincoln county
men, consolidation and a heavy indebt-
edness would be STAYED off; valuable
records and human lives would be
made safe from fire; all obtained for
tax bill of less, than a dollar year
for the average man, while very few
might have to pay as high as 81 or So
year
And new building spells progress
and Improvement.
Travelling Salesman: Where's the
nentI2u