Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-20
GOOD COUNTRY ROADS
The First of All Things Considered
at the Farmers Encampment.
TALKING ON TUE ROAD PROBLEM,
During Which the Agitation by The Dis.
patch is Complimented.
THE TAX QUESTION AND THE GRANGER
rrRoN A STAFF CORRESPONDENT

appearing throng which poured into the
Mt Gretna encampment to-day. The at
tendance was the largest of the season SO
far, and it certainly did not seem to be
promising material for The eloquence of the
calamity howler, though that irrepressible
parsonage was at work to a limited extent
The larger portion of the day, though, was
devoted TO the institute under the auspices
of the State Board of Agriculture, at which
topics of practical interest to the grangers
were discussed. Hon. c. R. Lautz, the
Lebanon county member of the State Board,
presided over the session of the institute.
A large portion of the time was devoted to
a discussion of the road problem in all It's
phases, even the 'inde1 boards" being con-
sidered. Jacob E. Reinoehl handled this
branch of the subject, and dwelt upon the
advantages which would accrue from an
accurate and elaborate system of guideposts
upon the rural highways
Good Fruit From the d isratch Expedition
Dr. E Gumbril, of Mt. Zion, read vol.
luminous paper upon Country Roads" He
referred to the expedition sent out bv The
DISPATCH year or two ago as having
given an impetus to the agitation for i'm
proved roads, which would surely bear
good fruit in the future. The methods most
in vogue among rural supervisors of roads
were held up to ridicule and their defcien-
cies pointed out A number of suggestions
as to the proper plan for road-making were
then given, with descriptions of some
pieces of highway which had successfully
withstood the tests of travel and time. The
measure which was emasculated at the last
Of ha Stoto I eli or
nounced good one and the speeches ex-
pressed the hope that it would be reintro-
duced and passed at the next session.
During the general discussion which fol-
lowed this address it was made PLAIN that
the question of better roads concerns and
interests the farmers more than any other
one now before them. The members of the
encampment were a unit in the expression
that prompt and decided steps should be
taken in the direction of improved high
ways.
Only Question of the Payment.
Practically the only difference of opinion
was as to how the necessary funds for a
radical betterment should be secured. There
we're those who held that for a work of this
kind, which would be sure to greatly bene-
fit posterity, the State would be jnstified in
issuing bonds to a liberal amount IL no
feasible.
Prof. John Hamilton, of State College,
then delivered treatise on Taxation"
Mr.. Hamilton is very much opposed to the
present system, which he denounced as al
together unjust and inequitable. He favors
tax based upon the capitalization of in
comes. In discussing this feature he said:
''The Inequalities of the method now in
vogue are very obvious. Not only is farm
property taxed out of all proportion to
corporate interests, but the occupation tax,
all that is paid by many professional men,
is manifestly unjust Under it the young
lawyer just admitted to the bar is obliged
to pay just as much to the support of the
Government as the experienced attorney
with magnificent income, and neither of
them bears anything like the burden which
falls on the man who is irving to make
living from the soil.
Srm Peculiar Id as about Taxation.
Property which produces no income"
continued Prof Hamilton, SHOULD not be
taxed at all. The widow left with little
dwelling and a scant amount of furniture
should not be assessed upon it, as it pro-
duces nothing, and the tax gatherer
takes part of the small property
upon each round he makes. 1t is so in the
large non-productive properties know
IF an estate near Pittsburg which was as
.essed as city property, some years ago,
when it was only farm land. 1t was valued |
1t 50 000, 900 in round figures, and vet it |
was practically absorbed by taxes in a CON-
paratively short time.
at is time the burdens were more evenly |
sdiusted, and there is basis upon which |
equity can be assured. Six per cent is the |
rate of interest on an investment which is |
held by law and usage to be eminentlv fair |
and proper, and will do as a starting point |
FOR calculations A farm with profit of |
300 a year would be yielding an income of |
per cent on a capitalization of $40, 600 and |
should be assessed and taxed on that basis. |
Exactly the same amount OF burden |
should be borne by the artisan or profess |
sional man. For instance, man with an |
lion should be credited with a capital of |
20, 900, and pay taxes upon it.
One Way of Figuring 1t ou..
Gas matter of public policy an income
% the amount of $500, whether from agri- |
cultural, professional or mechanical pur-
uits, should be allowed for living expenses
% all, whether rich or poor, and above that
Imount each income should pay taxes at the
anne rate. The objection has been made
hat this plan provides no burden for un-
Used real estate held for an appreciation in
'alue, but that is easily adjusted The in
rsase in value in such property for ten
years can be readily ascertained, and the
Iversge annual increase figured out. That
increment Is the income on such property,
md is all that should be taxed. If it mas
lot gained in value il should not be burd-
ned at all, as every man should be entitled
o returns upon an investment which has to
tand taxation.
''The matter of liquor Licenses, too" con-
inued the professor e"could be conducted
n q more American manner, and in q way
o produce additional revenue. lam a tenn
erance man, but do not think it is right
Or court tc take two men of equal quail
cations and tell one that he can sell liquor
nd the other that he cannot All that the
ourt should decide is the number of bars in
ny given locality, and the licenses should
e put up at public auction and sold to the
ighest bidder without fear or favor. I
now o. liquor establishments which clear
30, coo q year. At public auction a man
ould be willing to pay SIC, 900 to $40, 900
lat kind, and the result would be o great
ain to the treasury"
Prof. Hamil,on's Ideas Indorsed.
Ex-senator Lautz followed in brief in
orsement cf the position of Prof. Hamil- !
IN. He predicted that no good results
ouId accrue from the investigation of the
tate Revenue Commission; and urged that
le farmers of each county make it their
uty to see tbs. their Legislators were in
vor of the capitalized income system of
xation.
Hon. f. S. Peer, of Mt Morris, n. Y,
ven delivered an illustrated lecture upon 4
The Model Cow" and Will B. Powell, of i
pringboro, Pa, talked of 'The Horse" ex-
nsively. Then d. P. Forney, the York
'unty pessiuist, took the platform to ]