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From The View from Ellicott City Logo
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75 years ago -- Taxes track downward

That's not a misprint. In the June 22, 1933, Ellicott City Times front page:

"County commissioners fix 1933 tax rate at a dollar, lowest in past 14 years.

Taxpayers benefit by enactment of new road, school laws and self-imposed pay cuts by officials and employees -- basis more than $200,000 lower -- state absorbs road forces.

The County Commissioners of Howard County, at their meeting last Tuesday, fixed the county tax rate for the current year at $1 on each $100, a reduction of approximately 50 cents below last year when the rates varied from $1.49 to $l.52 in the various districts because of different amounts appropriated for roads. ...

The two outstanding reduction sin direct county appropriations this year are, of course, those for schools and roads, brought about by modifications in the laws governing both by the 1933 session of the Legislature."

Also in that issue: "Scholarship to Western Maryland open to girl; examination on June 30 schools, that a competitive examination will be held in the Ellicott City High School on June 10 to fill the vacant scholarship for a girl at Western Maryland College due Howard County. The scholarship carried board and tuition and is good for four years.

Eligible applicants for the scholarship must be graduates of an accredited high school and have sixty percent of the grades of the third and fourth years is 'A' or 'B' and no grade below 'C.'"

Sounds like a good deal.

Pack up your troubles and roll up your sleeves

In that 1933 issue, there's an editorial about good news on the economic front.

"Signs of economic improvement continue to multiply in all parts of the country. The 'trade boom' is attaining larger dimensions, and while there may be the usual lull in July and August, indications are that early fall will see the improvement going along at good speed.

There are many barometers of "better times," but for dozen years or more many people thinks spring has been the best the automakers have enjoyed since 1929. June auto sales are running ahead of May, something even the automakers themselves had not anticipated."

The article went on to note that use of electric current, and steel prices have increased. Also that textile mills have been busier then they have been. But the writer cautions recovery will be slow.

"It isn't a good idea to throw up your hat and start celebration the disappearance of the depression."

I notice that most writers didn't capitalize the Depression then. I imagine it didn't become an era until it was over and left o posterity. But the piece ended hopefully.

"Keep your sleeves rolled up and your hopes built up and a few more months in this same direction we are now headed will bring us out on the Broadway highway to prosperity -- the thing everybody has been praying for."


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