Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-08-25
WHO PAYS THE rAXEs?

we have noticed, In these columns,
the efforts that are now being made in
New York for reform in the municipal
! administration. owing to the oNorbitant
taxes exactcd there and the consequent
higher cost OF living. Tho taxpayers Of
many other cities, including salt Lake
might follow the example Of New York,
IN this respect, TO advantage. Bad city
government. dishonesty I'm the financial
management OF public funds, and dis
regard for the laws and ordinances
that are framed for the suppression,
or regulation, OF vice are the greatest
imaginable obstacles to healthy growth
ana rapid advancement
In New York. us stated in these col
umus, Taxpayers conference has
been organized, representing more than
nfty associations Of real estate owners,
as we'll as many individuals, and It Is
now seeking to discover why tax bills
are so large Comptroller Metz has
been requested to have the estimates
OF the various departments printed inn
medlatcly upon their receipt. and To
give them to the public IN such form
that they can be understood 1t Is
the purpose of this organization. CO.
operating with the Bureau of Municipal
Research, and with the assistance of
experts to make thorough analysis
of the city's needs
better understanding by the cit-
2ens generally OF tho financial affairs
Of the community in which they live,
would make them more vigilant when
extravagant and incompetent council
men are in charge. But there Is es-
pecially one point ON which the tax
payers should be enlightened, and that
is the real source from which taxes, in
the last instance, are derived. We
may say that real estate, as in New
York, pays ninety per cent OF the tax
es. But that is only Il partial explana
ton. The owner of the real estate col
lects his taxes from his tenants. The
tenant, If IA storekeeper. makes his GUS
toners pay his taxes; If Il manutac-
turer and employer, he makes his bust
ness pay the additional bill. In the
last analysis the tax is assessed upon
the entire community and the man
with the least opportunity to collect
his tax from some other person-that
Is, the consumer ultimately pays the
bill. And If the consumer is a work
ingman with small wages. it is easy to
sec that the taN-rate that is of little
consequence to the capitalist, is a
heavy burden upon the Workingman
The latter may be surprised at the ra
pidity with which his weeks wages
melt away, but If he would stop to
consider that he pays, not only for the
food and clothing and other neces-
saries of life but the greatest part of
the cost of government. Including in
terest on debt. the maintenance of ar
mics and navies, etc, etc. and then,
the commission of middlemen and
not infrequently. the brides that
dishonest contractors pay equally dis
honest city officials, and all manner
of graft, he cannot be surprised that
wages never seem to cover the cost of
| living.
A great many citizens seem TO be
lieye that their only duty is to vote
for candidates turned out by the re.
spectivc machines. Some even sell
their votes. ignorant Of the fact that
when they are so doing they really
confer upon plunderbund the right
to rob them of their earnings, in the
form Of graft. If the taxpayers and la
borers could be made to realize what
reeklessness. extravaganza and corrup-
tion In city government cost them,
they would rise in their might and de-
mand reform in no uncertain language,