The Butler County press. [volume], October 31, 1924, Image 6

About The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946

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Hamilton, Ohio, October 23,1324.
To the Citizens of Hamilton:'
The sinking fund trusteed of the
City of Hamilton, charged by law
With the responsibility of meeting the
obligations of the city's indebtedness
as evidenced by bonds, feel it our duty
to call the attention to the city's ob
ligations, inasmuch as they are of
/Vital importance to every citizen and
have to be paid, constituting as they
do a first-lien on every bit of prop
erty, whether owned by the city, or
Whether by private firms, corpora
tions or individuals.
The total bonded indebtedness of
the City of Hamilton as of October
1, 1924, is $4,459,957.31. Of this
indebtedness $3,340,972.80 has been
created for public improvements, such
as the waterworks, the gas works,
the electric light plant, the city's por
tion of improved streets, fire depart
ment equipment and various miscel
laneous public improvements. The
balance, $1,118,894.51 represents spe
cial assessment bonds, the payment
of which is provided for by assess
ments against abutting property
owners.
The sinking fond requirements to
meet the interest on the bonds and to
pay that part of the principal falling
due for the year 1924 is $485,998.83,
and for the year 1925 is $498,751.74.
For the year 1926, provided no addi
tional bonds are issued, the sinking
fund requirements will be $571,912.30.
Statement of Sinking Fund Trustees
The City of Hamilton receives as its
portion of the tax-money gathered
about $500,000. From this it( will be
seen that practically every cent the
city receives from taxation is requir
ed to meet the interest on outstand
ing bonds and the payment of bonds
falling due for the years 1924 and
1925 and in 1926 the sinking fund
requirements are many thousand dol
lars in excess of the city's portion of
the taxes. We have reached the point
where our interest and bonded indebt
edness payments require more money
than the city receives from taxes, and
there is only one of two courses to
pursue either to reduce our bonded
indebtedness which will reduce the an
nual interest charges, or else in
crease the taxes ^o as to give the
city more money. However, if we in
crease our taxes to the extreme limit
permitted by law, we can only raise
about $100,000 additional to what we
are now paying, and that sum falls
far short of what is required to carry
on the city and meet the sinking fund
requirements.
The bonded indebtedness of the
city can be decreased $1,170,000.00 if
the voters approve the sale of the
electric light distributing system on
November 4. This is a reduction of
35 per cent in the amount of the
general bonded indebtedness of the
city. This payment of bonds will de
crease the annual interest and sinking
fund charges more than one hundred
thousand ($100,000) dollars annually,
and it will give the city that much
more money to carry on.
Inasmuch as it is generally conceded
that additional bonds will have to be
issued in addition to those already
authorized, if we do not approve of
the sale, and enter into the project
of building a new electric light plant,
we see no way of maintaining the
Good
Fitting
Glasses
Glasses to correct vis
ion properly must be
properly fitted. They
must set at just the
right angle with the
eye and they must be
comfortable.
Glasses we fit are cor
rect in every detail and
they are guaranteed to
give you the eye com
fort you naturally ex
pect from good glasses.
SCHIPFER
Jewelry & Optical Co.
156 High Street
FOXTROT
ATLANTIC
DANCE
.ORCHESTRA
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K-R-E-B-S' Record Dept.
city's credit and carrying on the city
with the present income.
Inasmuch as the proposed sale car
ries with it a contract guaranteeing
us rates for electricity for twenty
five years, no higher than the present
rates the city plant is now charging
consumers, we can see no possible
advantage to be gained by building
a new plant. Furthermore, we are
guaranteed a lower price, if at any
time during the next twenty-five
years the Union Gas and Electric Co.
grnats any lower rates to any other
municipality they are serving.
On the other hand, if we build a
plant, we will jeopardize the city's
credit if we do not find some other
method of increasing the taxes than
what is now permitted by law. If
we were permitted to increase the
taxes so as to be able to meet the
ncreased sinking fund requirements
and carry on the city, our tax bur
den would prove harmful to the future
growth and development of the city.
We therefore recommend that the
citizens vote "Yes" on the sale of the
electric light transmission lines and
distributing system, so that we may
decrease our bonded indebtedness and
reduce the annual sinking fund pay
ments, and stop the leaks, and live
within our income.
E. G. RUDER,
CHAS. SOHNGEN,
J. H. WARNDORF,
P. J. WEINMAN, Secretary.
TRADES COUNCIL
The Co-Operative Trades and La
bor Council met Tuesday night in reg
ular session. President Jack Scheaf
presided over the meeting and thirty
delegates were present.
The credentials of J. E. Evans,
Lyle Ackerman and Jake Wilson, of
Electrical Workers' Union, Fred Rife,
Edgar Downie and Clarence Roth, of
the National Association of Letter
Carriers, were read, received and
delegates installed.
Two building bonds, one from the
Stationary Firemen's Union, and one
from Joe Bell, a member of Machin
ists' Union, both $5.00 each, were
donated to the council. The same were
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to Hamilton no one &
city.
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received with thanks and the secre
tary ordered to communicate, with the
two donors to that effect, *,
The delegates again report that the
Berninghaus Company, of Cincinnati,
manufacturers of barbers' supplies,
and the Whitehead-Hoag Company, of
Newark, N. J., are still unfair to their
oi'ganization.
Bakers reported that they still hold
the Ward Baking Co., and the Certi
fied bread are unfair and do not use
the labels.- This bread is manufact
ured out of Hamilton and shipped in.
The Ott bakery on Main street is the
only non-union shop in this city and
does not use the bakers' label.
The non-partisan political commit
tee reported that they have concluded
their work and that all the question
naires are in. The repojt was re
ceived.
The committee on drafting resolu
tions condemning the board of health
for their action in discharging Miss
Emma Schuler will be found in
another column of this issue. The
resolution as submitted was received
and adopted. The entire delegation
voted favorable on the resolutions ex
cept one delegate, and he stated his
reason was that the resolution was
not severe enough.
Delegates of the Grocery Clerks'"
Union report that all their members
have been taken back except one mem
ber, and they expect to have him re
instated in his former position in a
few days.
The trustees were instructed to
visit the different locals who are not
paying their per capita tax to the
council, and acquaint them with the
facts concerning the condition of the
council.
PRINTERS ACCEPT
CONTRACT
New York. The Typographical
Union has accepted a commercial
shop agreement submitted by its com
mittee and representatives of the em
ployers.
The present weekly rates are $53
for day work, $56 for night work and
$59 for the third shift. These rates
will continue until September 30, next
year, when they will be advanced $1
for one year. An additional $1 will be
paid the third year.
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THE BUTLER COUNTY PRESS
TRADES COUNCIL
Bazaar Committee Appoint
I ed
1 #. R'R-
Pres. Scheaf appointed the fourth
annual bazaar committee last Tues
day night. The committee is made up
of delegates from the central body
an devery one of them are hustlers
and well adapted to promote a ba
zaar. Last year the bazaar was given
in the auditorium and a good sum was
realized. This year the committee
predicts will be better and larger than
ever. The dates set for the same will
be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,
December 22, 23 and 24. The pro
moters are as follows: Jack Scheaf,
Frank Mooar, Stanley Ogg, Grant
King, Ed Sims, Fred Woodrey, Carl
Brown, Edw. Weiss, Ed. Dulli, Red
mond, Ike Jarrett, R. Service, H. Per
pingon, Karl Brown, Tom Lavin, Ma
llei Warren, Henry Betscher, John
Rossin and Clarence Roth.
Every trades unionist and friends
are invited to visit the big bazaar
every night, and their presence' will
be much appreciated. New features
will be added to the doings and the
committee is positive that everyone
will be well satisfied. Important an
nouncements will be made as the ba
zaar progresses.
PROTECTS BANKRUPTS
Washington.—The United States
supreme court has ruled that a bank
rupt can not be forced' to testify
against himself, if this procedure
would incriminate him. This rule,
based on the constitution, has always
applied to criminal cases, but this is
the first time it has applied to bank
rupts.
The government held that the bank
rupt should be compelled to testify
and that the constitutional privilege
should not relieve a bankrupt from
the duty to give information which is
sought for the purpose of discovering
his estate, and that in England such
an exception to the common law priv
ilege prevails. To this claim Justice
Brandeis replied:
"Whatever the rule in England our
constitutional prohibition of compu
I sory self-incrimination has not been
so limited."
A Former Member of
the Public Service Board
This Sincere Friend of Ha
ives ome
Splendid Advice!
This statement to the right is that of Mr.
C. Benninghofen who was formerly a member
of the Public Service Board. He has served this city in
many public capacities and from the standpoint of service
finer
record. He
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a
Mr. Benninghofen warns against the the
orists who would plunge the city further into
financial chaos. He issues a note
false alarmist, but a seasoned business man who has guided
many successful enterprises, fully capable to figure out and de
termine what is better for the city at this critical period in its hi*
If you would be free from more burden*
some taxation and at the same time better eleo!
trie light and power at the same——and perhaps a loweif
cost—heed the suggestions of Benninghofen.
proven
of
i
friend of the
warning he is no
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Editor, The Daily News:
(Political Advertisement)
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The election is but a few days away Tuesday, Nov.
4th. I am a candidate for County Treasurer for a second term on
the Republican ticket.
I believe I may rely on my friends and acquaintances to
support my candidacy for re-election, since it is a custom to ac
cord to officials a second term.
Thru this medium I am seeking, to reach the many peo
le I know and especially a large number whom I may not have
een able to personally see during the campaign. I include in this
number all those friends and acquaintances with whom I have
come in contact in one way and another and many whose friendly
and pleasant acquaintances I made during my connection with the
stores of Mr. W. S. Brown in the City of Hamilton.
Of these friends and acquaintances, I am making the re
quest for any assistance they may be able to give my candidacy,
especially among their own friends and acquaintances, their
neighbors and others.
I am thanking you in advance and saying that I will
be greatly appreciative for whatever you may do toward my re
election.
STANLEY H. KINZER
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Candidate for Re-election for County Treasurer.
Sell Light System Now And
Prevent Greater Sacrifice
Advice Of C. Benninghofen
The Sinking Fund Trustees' statement to the citizehs of
Hamilton should be read by every citizen, male and female, for
it is the most important document that has been laid before
them in many a day. Not only should it be read by everyone
but everyone should give it his careful thought and remember
that he is a partner in this big institution called the City of Hamilton
and then ask himself "Where is the money to come from to pay
interest charges and maturing bonds?"
Hamilton is only one of many cities in this state that is facing
a stone wall of indebtedness, which can only be removed by paying
the debt. For many years communities in this state have been
issuing bonds never thinking of the day of reckoning. When bonds
came due, they issued new bonds to take up the old ones, like the
fellow who, when he gave a new note to pay an old one, said, "Thank
God that hole is stopped up."
But stopping up holes in that way cannot be done in the future.
Our legislature has finally recognized the fact that there must be a
stop put to the constant increasing of debts. The city is limited by
law to a certain amount it can raise by taxes for all purposes needed
for the government and the care of the city, and we have now reached
the point in Hamilton where interest and maturing bonus will prac
tically absorb all that the city can raise by taxation.
City Council is now engaged in the task of raisin? money by
voluntary contribution to pay the Police and Fire Departments. Surely
no one imagine? that money to maintain these two important depart
ments can be raised in that way for years to come. But that is just
what will have to be done, unless we take steps whereby our income
will not be used for the payment of debts and interest and since the
law limits by taxation the amount to be raised, it is necessary that
the money be raised in some other way. If we are barred of fire and
police protection, insurance companies will cancel insurance policies
or else raise the rates to prohibitive figures. Insurance Companies are
not in the business of insuring property for their health and if the
city cannot maintain a Fire Department and police protection, the
citizens will have to raise the money for that purpose either by con
tributions or by paying exorbitant rates of insurance, if they can
buy insurance at all.
We are now facing a most serious condition and no heed should
be paid to the theorists who want the city to continue manufacturing
electricity and selling it at a loss.
The Sinkin Fund Trustees point the way out of our financial
troubles and their suggestion that we sell the Electric Plant and by
doing so relieve ourselves of a debt of $1,170,000 is the only practical
way of raising enough money to maintain the City Government^ and
the departments necessary for our protection.
When the City sells this plant to the Union Gas and Electric Co.
they are not selling their rights, which are surely protected and taken
care of by the contract that it is proposed to enter into. It is well
known that the price of electricity will be no higher than the city is
charging now and may be lower if this Company sells electricity
to any other community at a lower price.
It is better to sell now, what wc have to sell, than to invest money
in a losing venture and in the future years finally be compelled to
make a still •greater sacrifice.
Hamilton, Ohio, Oct. 24, 1924.
C. BENNINGHOFEN.
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