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Show Offering a solution of the problem of a constantly increasing rate of taxation in Ogden, -Frank Francis," editor of The Standard, and candidate for mayor, on Wednesday made this declaration : To obtain i distributing system by -which the streets and homes of Ogden could be lighted, and the city treasury enriched, or- the people allowed directly to benefit by a big reduction in their light bills, would be an improvement far beyond anything attempted in Ogden since the "waterworks was absorbed by the city. Frank Francis, who is a candidate for mayor, is committed to this policy, and he challenges the opposition to explain why some such move has not been made during the great hurrah over the lashing of property owners in different parts of the city. Mr. Francis claims that the limit of revenue raising by direct taxation, without inflicting great hardships on the average home owner, has been reached and some method must be devised by which to escape a confiscating tax on property generally, and he advocates a municipal electric light distributing system. This system would not require a power plant. The Utah Power & Light company, as a common carrier, would be compelled to sell electric power at approximately the very low rate given to the Southern Pacific shops and the American .Can company in. this city, and from that power, 'the city of Ogden through a distributing system, sys-tem, could obtain a revenue of large proportions, whereby to keep down and even reduce taxes. If this is not done, how is Ogden to escape a rapidly increasing tax rale? Ogden, in self preservation, is justified in doing what the government gov-ernment does. Ogden can to stretch a Avar expression commandeer comman-deer the electric lighting service because it is general!- recognized that public utilities in which class is the waterworks as well as electric lighting must yield to public necessity. Over in Colorado, in the city of Longmont, a situation very similar simi-lar to that which exists in Ogden, arose and the people decided to have a publicly owned lighting system. The big power companv which held a monopoly sought to fight off the citizens bv resorting to the courts, maintaining that powers granted the eilv did not af-low af-low of municipal ownership and Longmont had not the required bonding power to meet the necessary outlay. The business inen and citizens generally came forward with' a loan to cover the initial expenditures and to fight the obstructionists obstruction-ists in the court. The action was decided in favor of Longmont the plant was built and sometime ago the editor received a report ot the 'electrical department of the city of Longmont," showing a most profitable undertaking, after four years of operation I axes were high in Ogden two years ago and there was a promise prom-ise of a reduction, but, as usual, when tax time came around this fall the people were notihcd that the city tax rate had to be raised and taxes were made higher. How long is this to continue, if the. city authorities fail to be resourceful? re-sourceful? . u |