The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-03-10

ZrINH Ere.
The difference was s17e. 1928. S15. At the
present rate OF 1851, this would pro-
duce an additional revenue of $2,S7S,SoS.
Even if the assessments increased the
value only so per cent. of the amount
stated, there would be an additional
income of approximately a million and
a half, If there be no proper and hon
est valuation of the railroads so that
they are assessed at full and honest
valuation of the railroads so that they
are assessed at full value as is the
property of the Individual, then the
average rate of 1851 should be
raised to a fiat rate Of $21. which would
raise an additional million dollars a
year.
1.-The courts have sustained the fix
ing of a rate in this way. Further
more, the rate in many counties is in
excess of this and before the adoption
of the average rate, the averager rate
in the State was about 2 per cent. With
the repeal of the Hillery AK rate Jaw,
and the abolition of the County Boards
of Taxation. the rate of 1851 would
seem to rise to a point over $40, and
would be a proper. honest and equit-
able rate of taxation for the railroads.
fIIhAto 90 law DCNA
enacted and the County Board of Tax
alton created for the purpose Of as
sistins the railroads TO escape their
just share of the public burden should
for these reasons alone he Immediately
repealed and abolished, not TO mention
the $4,000 that the boards cost the
State, and the additional $7o,OO0 they
cost the counties. Rolling stock OF
foreign corporations, private car lines,
freight lines, refrigerating coal, oil and
Pullman cars. locomotives and other
property similarly situated and now
escaping taxation. should be taxed.
Don't Touch schools.
In the report made by the joint
committee TO investigate State finances
numerous recommendations were made
with which we cannot agree The re-
lief is merely temporary; there is NO
suggestion as to constructive legisla-
ton, little or no attempt to retrench,
and the taxation of railroads is studi-
ously avoided. The suggestion of the
Governor that there be a State tax
comes at a time when the people are
assessed at full value. and are paying
all the tax they can or should pay
The recommendation of the committee
that $242,0 900 be permanently taker
from the public schools and used fol
other State means that ever,
four years the public schools will bt
deprived of a million dollars. There
will also be taken out of the sam
fund this year 1921, 900. making a tota
of $473,0 900 diverted from the public
schools and used for other State pur
poses this year.
"Our public schools have onl,
reached their high standard of EN-
cheney because the State has supplied
them with sufficient funds for tina
purpose.
III the n which they now receive
Is taken away in whole or in part, thi
high efficiency will be destroyed, an,
the public school system will be re
tarded. This is the last institution II
the State which we can afford to Grip
pie. If there must be economy and re
trenchment, let 1t be with super1uou
and extravaganza institutions; let it b
with useless offices; high salaries an
other unnecessary expenditures. Let u
exhaust every other source of revenu
before going to the public schools TO
funds.
, ut has been suggested that an ex
pensive bureau be created for the col
lection of collateral inheritance taxes
This is More strineen
laws, compelling s~urroeates to perform
!, their duties, and the designation Of on
of the assistants of the state treasure
I to make . tour Of Inspection Of eac
county In the State each month. to pc