The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-02

seems to be as to the appropriations
made by the legislature of 1901. Mr. Al
baugh says he got his figures from the
state auditors published report, and Mr.
laws and appropriation ledgers. just
where the discrepancy lies will probably
be determined when the figurers have
time to look it up.
Mr.. Kelly does not mention the chief
point at issue in his explanation, how
ever. He gives the appropriations made
by the two legislatures in a lump sum,
and does not even give them by years
The charge against the state board of
equalization is that it has made tax
levy which will raise more than half
million dollars excessive state taxes for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1904, AMI
the appropriations for other years have
nothing to do with this except when it
comes to comparing the work of the two
legislatures. Mr.. Kelly in his state
ment just issued does not even give the
appropriations by years by the legisla-
ture.
He gave these figures. however, for the
legislature of 1903 in his statement pub
lished August 1. The fiscal year 1908, it
must be remembered, ends June 80, 1903;
the fiscal year 1904 ends June 80, 1904:
and the fiscal year 1905 ends June 80,
1905. 1t is the fiscal years which are
always referred to in these figures. Mr.
KeIly's figures giving the appropriations
of the legislature of 1903 are as follows:
For l905 -----.-..--.- -.--$ oOz'S0S'9a @ OS o..
For 1904 Observation-Disclosures. z,5lo,zzo- ~
For 1905 NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 2,224, 90
The appropriations for 1904 are the
only ones concerned in the charge that
the board of equalization has made pro-
vision for raising more than half
million dollars excessive state taxes
The total according to Mr.. Kelly's state
ment, is $2,37S, ,22S.70- From this should
be deducted the $150000 for the revolv-
ing fund of the binding twine plant,
which was simply reappropriated and
does not have to be raised by taxation,
and the $4,000 which comes from the
national government for the militia.
Then there is always about 100000 of
the appropriations for each year which
are not used. Deducting these amounts
from the total appropriations leaves
81 SO3 22S. 20 to be raised to run the state
government without taking into con-
sideration the amount on hand at the
beginning of the year, which was $780,
1851.
The board of equalization raised the
assessed valuat ion returned by the as
SCISSORS more than "A million dollars.
bringing it up to 1888. 724, ,4S0. and upon
this amount it made state tax levy
of ga mills. an increase of nine-t tenths
mill This will raise state taxes
amounting to 2,4S7, ,S36.67. In addition
to this the fees received by the state
from various sources each year are
variously estimated at from $220,O00 a
year uD, which in addition TO the state
taxes would give the state a revenue
this fiscal year of S2,707, ,S36.67.
These figures show that the state
board of equalization has made a tax
levy sufficient to raise 81. .707, ,S36. 81,
counting in the fees which will be re-
ceived while it is necessary to raise
only 81 800, ,22S.7O. In other words the
board has arranged to raise 1904, ,607. 81
of excessive state taxes.
This is the point which Mr.. Kelly
did not touch upon in his exclamation.
If this charge against the board is not
correct, the public would like to have
the mistake in these figures pointed
out.