The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1912-01-20
The People OF The
State OF Maryland
Continued from page 6.

to pay for Colonel Schley's services.
"A certain excuse is offered for the
low gross receipts returns of the West
ern Union and Adams Express Compan-
les in that they claim that only their
intra-State business need be reported.
This brings up one more phase Of an
the present incumbents inactivity. Col
onel Sehley has not seriously disputed
the Companies contention Yet 1t makes
very considerable difference in both
local and State tax receipts. In the case
of railroads, the law distinctly provides
that the receipts from inter- State bust
ness shall be prorated, and this has been
pronounced valid by the Court of APP
peals. The United States Supreme Court
upheld a similar law in Ohio in a case
in which the Adams Express Company
itself was the contestant. 1t may be
that the statute in this State cannot be
made o apply to public service corpora
lions other than railroads. But II its
purpose is defeated by faulty wording,
an energetic Tax Commissioner would
take pains to see that 1t was properly
amended and this logical source Of re-
venue recovered to the State.
1t Is here as much as anywhere, that
Colonel Schley falls down. The State
tax laws are complex, cumbersome and
difficult to understand and enforce. They
are preventing the Incorporation OF do
mpStiP piaS Qaft1inp har
of foreign companies. They are admit
tedly hard on all corporations. But the
way to remedy the situation is not to be
lax in assessments. Massachusetts, has a
far more rigorous tax system than Mary
lands, in which even corporate excess Is
heavily and consistently taxed. But its
clarity and clean administration, rather
than repelling industries, bring them to
the State.
The Tax Commissioner of Maryland,
presumably an expert, knowing the laws
clumsiness and the hardships of the
corporation, has a vast opportunity for
constructive work before him. The News
is not aware that Colonel Schley ever
sought to improve the system in this
State. Agitation for new laws has never
rightfully originate. He has never given
it his serious support; he has never
given evidence that he really cares whe-
| they the Maryland system is good or bad.
He has merely made himself an easy
berth; secure in the knowledge that the
homeless Board of Appeals, which his
| fellow politicians and his sponsors con-
stitute, would very probably uphold his
| assessment and continue him in office as
long as they themselves remain in con-
troll of the Board of Public Works
Maryland, if it is to forge ahead, does
not want such man in charge of the tax
department. The News believes that in
time the undesirability of him and his
| like will be recogni ed throughout the
State. 1t has been criticised at times,
| for maintaining the Rubber Stamp box
| Its object has not been one of personal
persecution; few men are personally more
likable than Colonel Schley. But it be-
| lieves that in keeping his absenteeism-
| the least of his faults as an official-be-
fore the people, it has performed a pub
! lie duty, which sooner or later will have
| the result either that better man is
placed at the helm of Maryland's finan-
ces, or that the work is taken out of the
hands of one man and placed with a
commission.-Ba News.