The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1909-11-25
Governor Harmon planning to
Save the State Money

Instead of piling on more taxes
to increase the revenues of the
state that the high level of ex.
penses developed gradually through
a long period of mis.rule in OHIO
may be maintained, two plans
proposed by Governor Harmon
would adjust the state's outgo ac.
cording to the pattern of it's in
come in a way that would "make
both ends meet"
One of these plans was to sub
stitute for the present dozen ex-
onicio tax boards one board that
would devote it's entire time to the
proper enforcement of existing tax
laws, as urged upon the legisla-
ture by Governor Harmon at the
special session last winter. This
plan had the backing of the busi-
ness men of Ohio irrespective of
politics. 1t had the endorsement
of the state board of commerce.
Governor Harmon gave it as his
opinion, based on careful calcula.
tions, that the income of the state
could be increased at least 81 ,OO0.-
600 per year under the tax laws
as they stand today, imperfect and
confusing as they are, by one
board that could devote all it's
time to looking up delinquencies
and evasion of the law. Such a
board would necessarily have to
bring together all the tax laws of
the state and by brief experience
would discover their defects. From
this experience practical recon.
mendations could be made to the
legislature for amendments until
an adequate and consistent taxing
system would be evolved whether
the constitution is eventually
changed or not.
But contrary legislature
was resolved to do nothing during
that special session that would re-
fleet credit on Democratic ad-
ministration. Governor Harmon
stated boldly that if the legisla-
ture would act on the suggestion
nobody could or would deny it's
full share of the credit for an ac-
tion 80 business-llke and impor-
tant. But thick-headed Republi-
can politicians inside and outside
of the legislature couldn't see it
that way, even with the endorse
ment of the state board of COM
merce and recommendations of the
tax commission created by Gov
ernor Harris to fell back on. They
preferred to put off such action
until the coming session, knowing
that whatever plan is finally
adopted will not haye time for
practical demonstration between
the adjournment of the legislature
and the ensuing state campaign.
They believe they will be able,
thereby, to charge that Governor
Harmon's proposal was a failure
and to hold Democratic admins
tration responsible for the finan-
cial condition of the state. In
that, however, they will fail, for
Governor Harmon clearly pointed
out in a special message before ad-
journment of the special session
just where responsibility really
rests, and the people know that
he was right.
The second plan proposed by
Governor Harmon, while not new,
is based on sound business and
economic principles. 1t is to place
all the state institutions under the
management of one board. This
also has the unqualified
endorsement of the OHIO State
Board of Commerce in resolutions
adopted at it's recent meeting in
Conservative estimates
based on careful calculations, show
that this plan would work an
economy of $500, 600 per year in
the states expenses,
Here then are two propositions
confronting the Republican legls-
lature at its coming session that
cannot be longer evaded through
partisan prejudice.
Business propositions put up to
the Legislature in a business, like
manner by a governor who knows
his business, must be met in a
business-like way. The time is
past for playing peanut-politics
with intent to embarrass a Demo
cratic administration.