The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-12-21


and municipal before complete efficiency will be reach
ed These numerous discussion the space
allotted this subject here Brief mention should be
made of the campaign that is wagtng stronger for 4
shorter ballot At elections the called upon
to vote for too many candidates. In many they
vote for men OF whose qualifications for office they
know nothing Those who agttating for a shorter
ballot claim that the number elective offices should
be reduced by increasing the number OF appontve Of
fees In this where the elective officers sub
tect to the initiative referendum and recall they would
undoubtedly surround themselves with more efficient
men in the appoinve offices than the people would
elect This question is handled extremely well in
book written by Frederick Childs and entitled Short
Ballot Principles Those who interested in the At
tainment OF more efficient government in the United
States will do we'll to read this book.
Government meets its running expenses from tho
taxes it levies its citizens Today the system OF
taxation in the United States is hodgepodge Of in
efficiency and inequality. Because the many have
wanted to throw all the burden Of taxation the few
the national government receives the greater part OF
its revenues from the customs duties fixed by the
tective tariff This is form Of indirect taxation by
means of which the few really put the burden the
shoulders Of the many. The states and municipai-
ties raise the necessary for their expenses by d.
rect levied land buildings personal prop
ery In some states recognizing that the securities Of
corporations simply represent the ownership in plants
that already taxed such forms of property
heved from further taxation This is done in Indiana
far as Indiana corporations are, concerned Indiana
however insists taxing the securities OF corpora
tons existing under the laws other states This OF
course, Is double taxation and 1t has been such
cessfu raiser Indiana that the state has had
arrange whereby a gang OF socalled ferrets
given the job Of running earth all it's citizens who
fuse to be taxed douby and place their names the
tax books. For this work most Of the money receiv
ed in taxes foreign securities by Indiana is paid tho
tax ferrets.
Under the equal price law in industry, especially
since condition will be created whereby will
the opportunity of capalizing his ability at it's
worth the only of taxation would
be that Of the straight income tax That is direct
taxation and under it would bear the proper
tonae share OF governmental Income taxation
has been increasing in popularity in the United States
in tho last few There 10 now the federal tax
the net incomes Of corporations. Wisconsin has
graduated income tax applying to the incomes Of the
individual Under the equal price law and efficiency
competition graduated income tax whereby ssmaller
incomes altogether exempted from taxation. upon
the larger incomes and the burden increased by slid
Ing scale that increases the percentage paid tho
Of the individual income increases, would be
the height Of unfarness Natural privilege should be
taxed equal price basis. Income ana not tho
person should pay the taxes.
The governmental expenses Of this nation federal.
state and municipal amount to Just much each year.
The collective income OF tho nation determined ~
tabuating the of all the individual incomes
respective Of differences in amounts should be
ed to raise the money required. This form OF taxa
ton would, under efficiency competition be absolute
ly fair to all citizens Each citizen would bear tho
fair government expense that his earning
pacity set Every dollar earned would fixed num-
Der into the fund from which government
penses met
The only form Of indirect taxation that might DO
justfable would be a land tax. improvements should
not be taxed. They pay their share in the income
tax the land itself might be taxed make it
profitable hold large state of unproductvi
y in order profit later from enhanced prices from
another. This would also apply to tho
vacant lot proposition in cities Apparently land tax
is direct In reality 1T would be borne BY the ultimate
consumer who IL And under the equal price
law and efficiency, competition being equally borne.
would matter except those who accustomed
to profit through tho work Of others
In taxation there must be special privilege neither
many Of tho few 1t must be met equally by
all according to their earning ability