New-York tribune., 1899-01-11
LOUD CALL FOR ECONOMY.
FINAL REPORT OF STATE CONTROLLER
ROBERTS
Az ALARMING TENDENCY TO 1NCREAsB PUBLIC
ExrESpfrvREs- TAXATION OF PERSONAL
PROPERTY CONDEMNED.

Az ALARMING TENDENCY TO INcREAsD PUBLIC
ExrESprrrREs- TAXATION OF PERSONAL
PROPERTY CONDEMNED.
Albany. Jan. 10.-James A. Roberts. the retiring
State Controller, reads long lecture In his annual
report TO the Legislature on increased public ex-
rendtures. lie says:
The population of New-York in 1870 was zoo. w. 3si.
capita In 1850 the population had increased TO
5os2.s7i and the expenditures to sa,G3G.59T ~ or
50 aDG pT Ss fspa III s hs Hs@G" @ or s. per
capita and in 1877 the estimated per capita ex-
The tendency TO Increase is a persistent one. IN
1881 the amount expend.d by me STATE was as ,oS G
in 1890 s14o7G Ss1 sG in 1873 S1I3G 3j ~. and in
1896. $20.02O 90 ~
The growth Of this increase year by year corre-
spends almost exactly with ;hc increase in the
number Of commissions and derartments-thirty-
they expended upward OF 5000 ooo. These depart
ments and commissions are largely for ihe purpose
many thinss which in the earlier days Of our
Commonwealth were left 10 the localities or to self
The law OF last year providing for an annual ta1
under money system for the repair OF highways
passed at the last session. providing for the pay
inent of bounties for the destruction Of Illegal dc,
as recent Illustrations Of this vicious and dangerous
legislative policy.
Mr.. Roberts's report contains these suggestions:
First-Far greater economy and in public
expenditures and no further excursions into the
field Of social supervision and regulation.
Secord-The raising OF the revenue Tor state pur-
poses from what have come TO call indirect
sources that is fro-l sources other than the gen
eral property tax in order 10 remove prolific
source OF injustice between the counties ana the
citizens Of the State. in order 10 reduce to n MINI,
mum the tendency to expand and extend sonial
regulation by placing limit on the amount whicn
can he expended.
Third-The abolition Of the tax on personal prop;
erty for State purposes because It is impossible OF
enforcement. unjus; In It's operation and lmInorai
in its result.
With only 8 per cen, OF the Ss.OJl0O0o or per-
sonal property IN this State bearing its burden OF
taxation. the Controller declares. no further argu-
nent is needed against the attempt TO reach per-
sonal property through general property tax
Mr.. Roberts again urges the Legislature to enact
a law taxing personal property only when 1t passes
at the death of the a BILL having TINS
object in view passed the last Legislature but was
vetoed by Governor Black. The maximum taxation
fixed by that bill was 10 per cent. and the rate OF
taxation. more than anything else. reused the
opposition which accomplished the defeat OF the
measure The Controller not at what per-
centage the tax may be hxed. and would not oppose
reduction by one-haf OF the tax proposed In
last years bill What he desires is the enactment
Of law which will operate to tax all the owners
Of personal property equally.
In another part Of his report Mr.. Roberts says:
have come 10 believe that the appropriation Of
ment. leaving the Department TO expend the money
as IL deems best instead Of appropr.ating money
for specific purposes. as was done until quite re-
Gently is not in tho interest Of economy.