Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-06-14

DlVNs
P. L. Kennedy was chairman of the
Taxpayers Convention, and E. P.
Morcom secretary. The delegates met
lat Foresters hall, and the secretary
read the call for the convention and
platform.
Alex La Toilette spoke against the
proposition to strike out the plank on
the single tax. He said the farmers
did not desire the single tax.
Chairman Kennedy said the original
plan was to allow the single tax fea-
ture of the platform to stand, and let
those who had not made up their
minds on the single tax strike it out.
A. B, Huddleson also opposed the
single tax. The platform without that
was good enough.
w. H. Egan thought it would be adj
visable to perfect the platform here
today, and make all the candidates
stand upon it. He moved that the plat
form as 1t stands be adopted.
Mr. Morcom read the pledge plat
form as follows:
First-To do all in my power to aid
in reduction of taxes within the state.
Second-To join in demanding
strict accounting of all officials for
public moneys expended and to de-
mand higher efficiency in state and
county business transactions.
Third-To vigorously oppose any
and all laws proposed that are intend
ed to create offices and commissions,
and to work for abolishment Of num-
ber of state offices and commissions
created in late years
Fourth-To oppose with all my
might the single tax which in itself is
vicious and confiscatory.
Fifth-To apply concrete business
methods to public affairs and apply
the measuring stick of efficiency to
every candidate for office, regardless
of political belief
Judge 0verton asked IL this was to
be non-polltical organization He
rather favored making it non-partisan,
He was opposed to the single tax,
NJ, L. Jones said the question was
whether the membership pledge should
be made the platform Of the county
taxpayers convention. What we were
getting at was a demand for better ad-
minlstration of county and state af-
fairs This league was to be made
non-polltical. That was right, and he
concluded strong appeal against the
proposed single tax. Rental value Of
some farms was now less than the
taxes. All taxation must be more rea-
sonable The government of the state
was costing too much, 1t was heavy
mortgage on the producer.
Jacob Voorhees, moved that the
words "non-political" be changed tC
"non-p partisan"
JAS G. Heltzel opposed the change
in the wording of the membership
card. 1t could not be done. This or.
ganization had no right to put out 9
political ticket
Il, p Morcom showed that the words
meant the same thing in political par
lance.
Let the single tax experiment b,
tried on some other state. Let som,
= other fellow have the operation per
A formed on him, and II he lives through
It we might try It,
VIM. II. Egan opposed changing tn
@ platform, and the Voorhees, amend
= ment was lost The platform was thel
0 adopted unanimously by the taxpayers
convention.
The Afternoon Session.
At 1880 the delegates assembled an
o county committee was formed fror
the delegates present, and the presi
dent and secretary were authorized :
I'M the vacancies on county commit
tee.
Campaign funds were raised fror
among those present, and SIC wa
!, raised and turned over TO T. f. Hayes
I treasurer
I G. W. Johnson discussed the pre-
posed one board bill and sixteenth
millage tax for tho Agricultural Col
!, lege and State University. He was nc
in favor Of so large an appropriation
j. r. Theo, Brentano spoke on III
bill, and thought Il asked too mucl
Out OF nearly 200 graduates only /
graduates were In agriculture
Frank Feller and Henry W. Dowr
ing spoke Of the necessity Of reduC
Ing taxes, and they expressed then