The Taxpayer’s Revolt Against ‘Boomer’ Debt

Editor Herald: I do value above all that I possess, my good name. I wish to refute a report being circulated: that I am influenced in my course as a committee of one to select names for testing delinquent street assessments by personal animosity. All along I have urged that the weighty delinquents be first tackled, and now that the matter is in my hands, I insist upon it. Our city, burdened already with $91,000 of bonded indebtedness, is asked to take upon itself an addition of $40,000, while these men are indebted to over half that amount. There are some property owners who have my sympathy, as they were entirely helpless to prevent the impositions of these boomers, but the men whose names appear upon my list were for the most part the prime movers in this matter and deserve no sympathy. Before we accept the additional burden, let us see if we can lift what we now have. In voting bonds, bear in mind that with five per cent commission and six per cent interest, the bonds would double in a little over fifteen years. If we go on at this rate, our property will be taxed out of existence before the bonds are paid.