The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1895-05-10

increased taxes and thus recompense
the state for the outlay in its behalf.
But the federal government cannot
undertake this expense. II remains
for state governments 10 do so. How
can II be done? The most c
nomical and efficient aid Is found, per-
haps, in the creation Of y state high
way commission. Massachusetts, es-
tablished such a commission in ls92,
composed Of three members, receiving
each $4,000 salary. Their first report,
I sued in 1893, Is a practical and valua'
BILE document for road builders and
students Of the road question, and es'
pecially Is 1t useful for local supervis-
ors OF Massachusetts,. OHIO and Penn
sylvania have also successful com mis-
sions. Indiana has already disc overed
the great value Of permanent state
COMMISSIONS in other fields. Our state
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
visirg the construction OF jails and
poorhouses. The state board OF tax
commissioners is tho 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 any other legal
arrangement.
Next the state should make appro-
priations in aid Of county gravel and
mecadam roads. like the 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 s2,6s0,oOo yearly
for roads. One-fourth or one-third OF
this could bring better results If ex-
pended by the state instead OF counties
and townships. under the supervision
Of the state highway commission.
But how Is the state TO get the
money? Taxes are already SO high
that no political party can safely afford
TO increase them. Yet there is one pro-
life and painless source of state reve-
nue. as yet overlooked by our law.
makers. mean the inheritance tax.
Neighboring states have such q tax.
Ohio taxes estates on q progressive
scale Of ! per cent on a surplus above
5000, and raising TO 5 per cent on
estates Of el.0oo.ooo and over. New
York gets g., 000, 900 to 81. ZOO, 900 a year
from this tax. II Indiana had a tar
like the one in Geneva. Switzerland. II
would yield probably $4,000. 900 a year,
and a tar like the one In Ohio would
yield fully q 900, 900. The inheritance
tax is not a tax in the ordinary
sense. II does not press upon
industry. 1t does not take from a mar
what he has earned Only a few pay
the tax. 1t comes mainly from the
cities, and from great estates which
could not have been accumulated and
devised without the fostering care o.
the state government. Such a tai
should be devoted 10 the two great pur
poses of free schools and free roads
These are the two ways in which thu
state can best build up its citizens
especially those in the poorer sections
Both expenditures return 70 the stat
compound interest. They make bette
citizens and better taxpayers.
And so, in conclusion. il seems TO m
from o comparison with what othe
states are doing hat the lines o
sharpest attack for the advocates 0
road Improvement in Indiana are al
inheritance tax for state aid TO count.
roads. and a highway commissioner Z
administer it. In this way could tn
: entire state. without adding TO its pres
cnt burdens. promote the building o
!. the best roads where they are mos
needed, and thereby relieve the farme
: in his depressed condition, stimulat
agriculture and create a market for 1t
: manufacturers. merchants and labor
ers.-J. Il. Commons, Of Indiana uni
{ versity, in Good Roads