Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1913-12-11

Governor Haines on last Saturda,
sent communication to Axel P
Ramstedt, president of the state tai
commission, in which he asks tha
the tax commission make thorough
Investigation to determine how mucl
revenue is raised for state, cuonty
trict purposes; how much is the
bonded debt of each; how the taxes
collected are distributed, and above
all else what can be done to tighten
the burden of taxes that the people
are now required to carry? A report
covering all the points suggested is
asked for by January 10, in order
that steps may be taken to correct
any evils that may be uncovered.
The most important question In
the last campaign was the question
Of taxation. All parties We're commit
ted to the strictest economy in pub
lie expenditures and the successful
party promised to do all in its pow
or to bring about a reduction in tax
alton throughout the state. This
promise has been made good Insofar
as economy in state expenditures Is
concerned, and, as result of the
study given this matter, we are now
prepared to point out the method
through which substantial reduc-
ton in individual assessments can
and must be brought about"
The foregoing Is the opening of
communication by Governor Haines
to the head of the state tax commits
sion, Axel Ramstedt. The letter con-
tinues:
1T Is clearly evident that IN order
to bring about such lowering of tax
levies az will materially reduce indi-
vidual assessments it is necessary to
enlist the active interest and co-opera'
ton Of every taxpayer in the state of
idaho. Every man who pays taxes
should know just why he pays them
and the purposes for which the money
so paid is to be used.
Wnat Taxpayer Should Know.
HE should know the part which
goes to the state and how it is there
applied; the part which goes to the
county and how that is used; the
part which goes to his city, town or
village, and whether or not it is
and economically expended,
and finally, the part which goes to
his road and school districts, and
whether the same Is expended with
the idea of giving the taxpayer full !,
value for the outlay which he is Gale
upon to make. In other words, ey-
cry taxpayer should be just as fully
informed at all times with regard to
the handling of these details of pub
lie business as he is concerning the ;,
details OF his own private business :
He should watch the tax-spending end
Of governmental machinery quite as
carefully as he dq1e< the tax gath !
erine end.
state Tries to Save Money. L
''The publicity and interest which :
= necessary with reference to local :
l have tried to bring :
about with reference to state expen-
ditures. The present administrator
has been most careful In Its supervi-
sion OF public expenditures. and 1t
must appear to all who have read the
quarterly reports submitted by the
various departments that we have
made In each case either substan-
tiAl reduction In expenses or an Inn
proyement or enlargement in the
services rendered.
but In addition to practicdng care
and economy In the use Of money
appropriated we must seek to have
The people themselves exercise great
or supervision over those bodies
which have been intrusted with pow
IL to hwy taxes. We must ask
Mem also to analyze carefully the
separate sources from which the va
ysous items In their tax bills ARISE,
And to fix In their minds the proper
Han 81 their assessments which go
Is ~ support OF the state, the coun-
NJ tA1{city or village, the road dis
M ~ ~ schcca district !