The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1895-06-15

the State Tor the outlay IN Its behalf.
But the federal government cannot
for state governments to do so. How
can it be done? The most eco
nomical and efficient aid is found, per
haps. in the creation Of a state high4
way commission. Massachusetts es-
ia blished such a commission in 1892,
composed of three members, receiving
each Sc 600 salary. Their first report,
bic document for road builders and
students of the road question, and es-
pecially is it useful for local supervis-
ors of Massachusetts. Ohio and Penn
sylvanie have also successful com mis-
sions. Indiana has already disc overed
the great value of permanent state
commissions In other fields. Our stato
board of charities and corrections has
done more than any other agency in
Improving the administration of poor
relief in the township, of jails, peni-
tentiaries and asylums, and in super
vising the construction of jails and
poorhouses. The state board of tax
comm ssioncrs is the first successful
agency for reaching the property Of
wealthy corporations. A state high
way commission, composed of experts,
giving their entire time to their work.,
assisting county and township super
visors. would do more for road improve
ment in Indiana than ony other legal
Priations in aid of county gravel and
roads, like tho state aid In
New Jersey. 1t might not go SO far as
to contribute one-third. but it should
assist literally. 1t has been estimated
that Indiana spends $3.50, 900 yearly
for roads. One-fourth or one-third Of
this could bring better results If ex.
by the state instead of counties
and townships. under the supervision
of the state highway commission.
But how is the state to get the
Taxes are already SO high
that no political party can safely afford
to increase them. Yet there is one pro-
nue. as yet overlooked by our law
makers. I mean the Inheritance tax.
Neigh boring states have such a tax.
ohio taxes estates on progressive
scale of 1 per cent. on surplus above
5000, and raising to per cent. on
estates of 100000 and over. New
York gets So, 900, 600 to s.. 900, 900 a year
ike the one in Geneva, Switzerland. It
would yield probably 1900, 600 a year,
md tax like the one in Ohio would
'ield fully 81 600, 900. The inheritance
AK is not Il tax in the ordinary
sense. 1t does not press upon
AIuuSCIy. ~ OCeS uOC luke from u man
what he has earned Only a few pay |
he tax. 1t comes mainly from tho
cities, and from great estates which
Gould not have been accumulated and
ievised without the fostering care of
he state government. Such tax
hould be devo ted to the two great pur. |
'oses of free schools and free roads. |
These arc the two ways in which she |
tate can best build up its citizens, |
specially those in the poorer sections. |
}oth expenditures return to tho state
ompound interest They make better
itizens and better taxpayers.
And SO, in conclusion, it seems to me
rom a comparison with what other
tates are doing that the lines of
harpest attack for the advocates of
Dad Improvement in Indiana are an
Inheritance tax for state aid to county
Dads, and a highway commissioner to
dminister it. In this way could tho
ntire state, without adding to it's pres
Mt burdens, promote the building OF
he best roads where they are most
coded, and thereby relieve the farmer
4 his depressed condition, stimulate
griculture and create n market for it's
lanufa cturers. merchants and labor
rs.-J. r. Commons, of Indiana uni
ersity, in Good Roads