The San Francisco call., 1904-08-16
TAX REFORM ELSEWHERE.

- ALIFORNIA IS not the only STATE III "nich lax
reform promises 10 become burning issue Here
~ Is plain TO many investigators and experts that
general property by what appear 10 be the neces-
sary inhrities OF It's administration, does bear
equally upon ali forms Of property and aIlot 70 each is
proper share n the support OF the government To
edy this proposed that corporations shall be made
Subject TO State tax only IN the expectation that such
system viii supply most OF needed for
port OF the State government The remainder may be
secured BY State excise liquor and tobacco, in the
form OF State license which shall be lieu OF local
license on such business
This subject, taken up orcibly by the State Grange.
viii focus public issue until some form OF
adjustment reached It Is serious and grave mat
ter deserving the profound attention OF legislators
Some months ago Governor Pzrdee indicated his pur-
pose 70 suggest this reform ms and he
90 this the whole question viii be ocaly brought the
OF the Legislature. Meantime II IS
Dected that the committee OF State Grange which
IN charge Tor that organization viii keep before
the people and FIX upon the attention OF candidates Tor
the Legislature.
The tax system OF the State OF Ohio much older than
ours but seems 10 be 10 better The agitation for
reform began before the same OF movement ap-
pezred here The reformers OF Ohio encounter much
opposition while enjoying the support OF the general zd-
mission the existing system grossly defective and
unequal But conservatism the everywhere when
degenerates into inertia The Ohio method, with al
rs gzrng imperfections, has been long operation
that many citizens OF that State say that bad IS
people accustomed and have adjusted their ways
and affairs 10 administration, and that any change
would compel them 10 readapt themselves and therefore
i IS better 70 let bad enough alone
The Legislature has made several attempts al reform
but the Indifference the conservatism OF the people
have defeated them all until the reformers have been
driven active and aggressive campaign OF educa-
ton Declaring that taxation IS the legal conhscation
property they rousng public sentiment study
from each citizen and every form OF property only just
share OF what the State have pay for the equal
protection OF al and al kinds OF property. In that
State this subject promises 10 dspace al Others in local
politics. and make cleavage that will endure TN
IL settlement IS reached Popular government IS e-
Pensive government, because il does and better
than other forms OF governments The administration
OF justice n the Of this country very costly
Judicial tribunals have their and keep
ing all Of the rights OF person and property.
IN zutocracy courts not needed for all persons
and property executive hands and their rights
have Judicial protection all For this and other
kindred popular government IS costly but the
money that IS all devoted necessary pur-
poses The study OF such government be 10 econo-
ze expenditures, equaize the burdens OF taxation and
make the administration Of system as simple and
economical as possible.
States older than Ohio and California have long been
in the enjoyment OF systems simple in their echan-
burdens and States less fortunate should not hesitate 70
take advantage OF their experience The committee OF
the State Grange says "Californas system OF taxation
needs general revision and the people OF the State are
awakening realization OF it. This is being under
stood by all who give thought the subject as IS the
fact that experience and that OF other States
viii enable formulate system OF taxation that
will be nearly equitable and Just taxation can be-
and that will also be guide for other States TO follow
The possession OF property is the sole ability
TO pay taxes Incomes derived from property that
taxed should be required contribute 10 the support
o: government Taxes levied and collected in Cali
forna theoretically. equal according TO the money
value OF real and personal property But in prac-
tee real property pays nineenhs and personal one
tenth. although It IS well understood that the money
value and earning power Of personally double that OF
realty Some say that realty pays nnetenths OF
the put the other tenth simplify the svs
ten. We have patience, sympathy tolerance for
this proposition 1t would only be adding another great
wrong TO the now perpetrated."
1t interesting fact that these statements made
By authority OF the State Grange disclose the same
reform organization his charge OF the matter The own
OF country realty be awakening to the stua
ton The they make IS that touches their in
closest and they have in their power to force
Il TO foremost place for action.
California will watch with interest the progress made
in Ohio and the States may well lead the way to
general revision OF State laws and constitutions or this
great and interesting economic subject
Nevada IS seeing things again This time it seems to