Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-10-15

| VaInable 70 you ana the people OF the
State in the consideration OF the subjec,
Of taxation. Upon so mooted and contro.
vertcd a question II Is not surprising
that tho members OF the commission
have not been able to agree in their re-
Communications with respect to changes
in the principle OF our taxation laws.
but they point out some fragrant ad-
minlstrative evils and unanimously re-
commend their correction. Whatever
you may do with respect to changes In
the principle Of our taxation system the
/ unanimous recommendations OF the
| commission for the correction OF ad-
ministrative evils commend to your
favorable consideration,
I endorse their recommendation that
listers be elected by ballot for a term OF
three years so that there will always be
two experienced men on tho board: that
1 taxes he required to be paid in the first
instance to the town treasurer without
discount with n penalty for delay and
that State taxation commission with
extensive powers he created; but nd
wise that 1t be thoroughly considered
whether its work could not be commit ted
TO the commissioner Of State taxes with
out additional commissioners
SAVINGS BANKS AND TRUST COM
PANIEs
The number Of our savings banks and
trust companies and the amount of thoir
deposits have materially Increased dur
ing the past few years on June 30
1905. there were 40 Institutions and their
total deposits amounted to SEQ ass 653 Al.
This was nm Increase In deposits of sS,-
S6S,95433. or l6 per cent during the last
two years. These Institutions are for the
savings OF the great mass of our people
1885, SS or nearly onc-half OF all the
inhabitants Of tho State. men, women,
and children, were on June 20. 1908, de-
positors In them, with average de-
post of s3l99l each. The respon sibility
Of the state to her people for the we'll
being Of these Institutions and the safe
guarding of their deposits Is one of Its
most important duties.
Savings banks and trust companies
should be inspected most carefully and
ut frequent intervals and should con-
stantly be under skilled supervision. II
is not only the ncglects and errors which
the commissions may be able to find
and correct, but the Knowledge that
these institutions are under constant
watchfulness, will do much TO keep their
trustees and officers alert to tho best
performance Of their duties The time
has come when tho bank commissioner
should be required to give his entire
time to tho duties OF his office and the
salary should be made sufficient to Sc
cure the entire time OF q competent.
skilled man In every way qualified for
the work The present policy Of appor-
tioning the salary and expense Of the
bank commissioner among the savings
banks and trust companies should be
continued The increased expense to
them would not be large and they could
not use the money more advantageously
for their depositors.
The laws regulating tho investments
which may legally be made by our saw.
ings banks and trust companies should
be revised. They have been enacted at
different times, often to permit some par
ticular Investment and are Inconsistent.
They permit, for example, investment In
counties towns and cities in Wisconsin
or Minnesota only under certain condi-
t'os, but in Michigan or Iowa without
limitations they permit Investment in
the stocks of any national bank in st.
n.
but In no banks in Cleveland or Gin
cinnnti They do not allow as much
latitude and variety of investment as the
laws Of neiGhhoring States. for example
Massachusetts and New York. 7 suggest
that the laws regulating Investments
by savings institutions be carefully re-
vised to conform better to present con-
diuons, In some cases being limited and
IT,,
larged.
BOARD OF LIBRARY COMMISSION
Frs
This board. which consists of five
members Is doing very important
work. 1t gives advice upon request to
the trustees and librarians OF public H.
braries and in connection with tho
establishment Of new libraries It has
neid public meetings whore library ques-
lions are discussed. and also has entire
charge OF the travelling libraries These
travelling libraries which reach the
smaller villages and communities are a
source OF real help and pleasure to their
people and often prompt the establish
ment OF small local libraries. The COM
mission Is doing much to awaken a gem
eral interest In all library matters.
There is In the State an opportunity
and need for the extension of this work.
Ihe members Of the comission serve
without compensation and render the
state valuable and unselhsh service.
ne appropriation for Its use has at no !
lime been large. At present the amount
which the board may expend annually
.or necessary expenses in connestion
Win the discharge OF its duties includ- |
hs the transportation Of the travelling
lbrares is limited by law to ST. 400 and
ne amount which 1t can expend annual
y for the purchase OF books for these
ibraries Is limited to $500 The commits
SONS report should have your most
'areful attention. and the appropriation
available for It's work ought to be in |
,reased
COURT OF CLAIMS.
Inc court OF claims was created by an
act of the General Assembly in 1902 10
hear and determine claims presented
against the state, the payment Of which
Is not otherwise provided for by law.
and claims referred to 1t by the auditor
Of accounts or the General Asse,nhIv
Previous to the creation of this court
uch claims were heard by the commlttea
On claims o. the General Assembl,. bc,n,,
practically their sole work and ,hcir
were reported to the
General Assembly for It's action. Tha
auditor OF accounts usually sat with the
commit tees for the consideration Of these