The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-29
Governor Answers Senator Cur
tis' Statement.
Goes Back to Time of 1907
Legislature.
CURTIS, RINGLEADER'
That Is Reason He Was Singled
Out.
Governor Is Direct and Personal
i'm Remarks.


The Stubbs-Curtis controversy over
the recent startling statement made by
the State Journal in which it was
shown that the present state adminis-
tration has increased the state taxes
over a million dollars. has reached an
excited and dramatic situation.
1t will be rememb bered that Senator
Curtis made a speech at Eskridge in
which he mentioned the increase in
state taxes. Governor Stubs answered
that speech with a statement. Senator
Curtis came back with an answer Mon
day and nows comes the Stubs retort.
The governor makes radical state
ments in this last answer. Among the
charges he says that Curtis IS cunning
and misleading in his answer and that
no honest, fair minded man would say
such a thing against the last legis-
lature.
He asserts that Senator Curtis has
been trying to confuse and misIead the
people and that parts of his statements
were vicious and untruthful.
The Governors Retort
The whole statement runs as follows:
Yesterdays press published a state
mnt from me which showed clearly
that Notwithstanding the fact that there
has been an increase in expenses of
nearly three-quarterS of a million dol
lars, caused by the growth of the state
institutions, building a memorial hall,
furnishing coal for public institutions,
providing for normal training schools
in 100 counts, and other extraordinary
expenses, the total expenses of this ad-
ministration would remain practically
the same in dollars and cents as the
preceding two years, based on a state
ment of Stat Auditor James NJ. Nation
showing the total appropriations for
that period as compared with the ap-
-4.Af g., H.
legislature.
This statement further shows be-
yond any question of doubt that the
higher taxes this year. as compared with
1908 were caused solely by the insult
dcient tax levy in 1908, which the state
tax commission, the state auditor and
every fair minded man knows was
nearly $1,000,000 too small to pay the
expenses of the state government that
year. In order to avoid a further
deficiency this year the tax commission
have made a levy on basis that they
believe will fully pay the expenses of
tn state for the year.
Il attach herewith a statement from
the state tax commission which fully
bears out the above facts:
Tax Commission Take Hand.
Sept. %. 1903.
" Hon. w. r. Stubbs, Governor, state
House, Topeka.
'Sir-Your letter asking the tax
the 1909 tax levy for state
purposes larger than the levy for
state purposes in 1908. is received and
the reasons may be very briefly
stated.
early in January of the present |
year it became apparent that the levy
for 1908 had been insufficient to meet |
the current expenses. This levy so |
found to be insufficient was made by |
the tax commission as had been done |
fny IA Y1n nn IQf
the taxes raised by the levy so made, |
together with receipts into the treas |
ury from other sources, would pro- /
vide for the current needs of the |
state.
However, it became apparent in
January, as has been said, that an
levy has been made and in
a conference with yourself, it was
sue was to make levies necessary to
maintain the treasury in solvent
condition.
The commission, after a careful
study of the situation, fixed the rate
Of levy for the present year at one
and one-fourth mills in pursuance to
the policy agreed upon as aforesaid.
Z" The Increased levy for 1909 was
not made because of increased appro-
priations for the present biennial
period of 1910 and 1911. over the
biennial period of 1908 and 1909
but was made for the sole purpose of
placing the treasury as above stated
on a solvent basis.
THE legislature authorized a
levy large enough to raise the sum of
s3. 500, 900, but a consultation with the
auditor of state and the treasurer OF
state. together with the results of the
careful study Of the subject. made by
the commission produced the levy
made of one and one-fourth mills
which raises the sum of S3,139.07499.
"'Mr. S. c. drummer of the COM
mission does not join in this letter be-
cause of his absence from the city,
such absence being caused by sick
ness SeAS assAM T. HOWE.
"'W. S. GLASS.
"eMembers of the tax commission
"Senator Curtis statement in regard
% higher taxes is cunning and mis-
eading; he avoids entirely the whole
ssue involved, which is question of
Why the taxes are higher this year
,ver and over again the statement
hat the state taxes are nearer one L
million dollars higher this year than
n 1908. Everybody knows this. and
.redits his own sincerity when he tries
n befuddle and mislead the people
With this sort of talk.
Curtis EsIxrdige Speech.
ssIn referring to his Eskridge speech
lie omits the vicious. untruthful part
IF his statement at that place. After
,e had stated that the taxes were one
million dollars higher this year than
n 1908 he shouted to his audience: i
If you want to know the cost of re-
;orm look at your tax bills this year.
We have a real reform government in
Kansas now
(which is equivalent to saying that
he real reform government cost one
million dollars more this year than in
1908. Nothing could be more false /
CONTINUED on Page Three.)