The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-03-27

since that course conserves and builds up
its ways and means, while the reverse of
that course leads to loss and even in
some sections to death and decay.
Taxation Problems.
Tax problems in Vermont, upon whose
solution depend the conservation of its
natural resources, their proper develop
mcnt and their applied use for the bene-
tit of the people OF this state. involve
among other things the following fac
tors:
/ ~ The current use Of many millions
Of dollars of false offsets for debts ow
ing, which do not conserve the income
OF the state, equality OF contribution to
state support as between individual citi-
zens or general honesty and truthful
ness.
~ The repetition Of recurring per.
! jury on the part OF those who conceal
personally or intangibles. so called, upon
the argument, self-addressed, that 9TH
ers do so too, and that in any event the
| property tax on personality as it now
stands is confscatory.
(3t The actual confiscation Of close
to half or more than half of the incomes
Of honest citizens aud of trust funds
upon which trusts, widows and children
rely for safe support. where concealment
cannot be made.
az An interference with a normal
securement and increase OF capital for
| the development Of our natural resources
! because of the obsolete and unenforce
able tax on personality.
/ ~ Gross discrimination in favor Of
/ those who are permitted to report no list
under the imperfect penalty of merely
/ doubling what the listers find, as here
/ tofore, but now, under the statute OF
| 1910. leaving the lists Of such to the
/ discretion of the listers without, how
ever, insuring any genuine reform.
| 90 The doubling and even multiply
ing Of taxation through taxation Of the
same property by two or more state
! jurisdictions and through the permission
to let some citizen plead debts in offset,
while others under other forms of debt,
like mortgages upon farms or city real
estate, cannot so plead, discrimination
which ought TO be explained or wiped
out entirely.
~ Inequalities in the valuation Of
properties resulting in gross injustice
within the towns and only less so
through the state under the laws re-
quring the eight per cent school tax
and the five per cent highway tax.
(sl Failure TO apply upon fair and
graded scale a direct inheritance tax,
bill for which unanimously passed the
House in 1905 but was ANONYMOUSLY
killed in the Senate without special con-
sideration.
90 4 revision of offsets, exemptions
and options so as to insure equality
under the law in the burdens Of govern
ment without interfering with either
credits or business opportunity.
(l0l A just and reasonable taxation
of corporations so as 20 insure their due
and proper contribution TO the support
Of the state without suppressing either
their growth or their opportunity for
increase in number, thus fostering in.
dustrial expansion and improving the
nearby markets for the products Of our
farms.
I'D The restoration to individuals
Of the same chance to invest privately,
so far as tax laws are involved. which
the banks now control; and, finally,
l21 An actual reform of taxation
laws in connection with greater economy
and greater efficiency in state admin !
istration.
The solution Of these questions will
conserve the character Of our people, I
viii increase the grand list of the state, |
will more equitably distribute that list, |
will induce ~ more careful creation and |
use Of all forms of property, will induce /
capital TO stay at home and invite it |
from abroad will tend to increase pri- /
vate investments and enterprise and will I
tend ultimately to unity public account /
ing reduce rates Of taxation, produce a |
more economic financing of public af |
fairs and in every way increase and fos-
ter all those material objects upon which /.
the state relies for its real prosperity I
and growth.
II is recognized of course that in any
reform of tax laws great attention must .
be given to many details and TO close
study of the data pertaining thereto,
which phase of the subject cannot be
covered in this article from lack of space.
To assume, however, that there can be
a great and permanent improvement in
our agricultural and industrial progress 4
without first disposing of this great
issue of taxation reform is mistake.
That and the issue for getting the state
more nearly within the
thought and actual action and under
the direction of the people direct are
the two chief factors finally in the con
servation OF everything in which the peo
pie have an interest. For government
relies upon taxation for support and
depends upon the character
and instice of the laws passed and en-
forced. The tax is paid by the people
and they. if they will have it so, viii
control actually, not nominally or by
proxy. the selection of their officers, the
nature OF their laws and their applica-
ton in practice. For that reason taxa
ton and conservation are allied in an
inseparable union and reforms in both
subjects of legislation should be asked
for and spring into existence at the
same time.