Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-09-16

coming vociferous to such an extent
that the various taxing boards are
anxious to hear suggestions from re.
taxpayers along the line
OF reduction. Nor is the complaint
confined to Chehalis county, but ap.
pears to be state wide, as will be
seen by the following excerpt from
recent editorial in the Spokane
spokesman Review:
"The state OF Washington has done
pioneer service in the line of pro-
gressive legislation, but the announce
ment that the state tax levy will ex-
ceed nine mills, as against $40 mills
last year, must give pause to unthink-
ing complacency and may very we'll
inspire sober consideration of fair
ly acute situation.
"This is q land of incalculable re-
source, and almost unlimited wealth,
but the plant of the taxpayer has
been growing louder year and year,
until today it seems probable that
something resembling a revolt may be
confidently expected. 1t can hardly
be urged, moreover, that the protest
is unfounded. q
1T cannot be disputed that the cost
Of our state administration is fast
reaching the intolerable stage To
begin with, the legislature is respon-
sible. Recognizing public demand.
1t has enacted public service laws,
established industrial insurance, fac.
tory inspection and round half doz-
en- Of other inspections. We have q
welfare commission on minimum
wage, mothers pension act, lazy
husband act and circle Of state in
stitutions whose biennial cost is al.
most stupefying.
"The people demanded these things
but will the people pay the cost?"
The County Budget
With this prospect Of an increased
state levy, the reduction Of local
budgets becomes imperative, but the
rub comes when one attempts to put
a finger on the spot to be reduced.
This is true Of the county, city and
school district, especially of the coun-
ty. the cost Of which was increased
by the last legislature by the mothers
pension and lazy husband acts, be-
sides the $4,000 tackled on for court
reporters, without the services of
whom we had been getting along fail
ly WE'LL
The present board of county COM
missioners appear desirous Of max
ing any and all reductions in the
budget compatible with efficient serv-
ice but are confronted with a diff
cult problem. This board found the
treasury depleted and county war
rants outstanding on January /, last
to the enormous sum of $334,540.84,
and road districts. warrants amounting
to $4,000. OF this amount $4,000 cur
rent expense warrants and $4,000
road and bridge fund warrants may
be funded into bonds, but the other
must be met by tax
levy this year.
In scrutinizing the estimates for
the county Offices, one is impressed
with the idea that the cost is suscept- !
ible Of reduction in most cases, al.
though the chiefs claim every dollar |
asked is absolutely necessary. Per-
haps it is. But it must be remem-
bered that the county more than an in
cannot exceed its income with
out disaster, and that the income Of
the county is limited to the ability |
to pay and the evil effect Of high |
tax rate upon the development Of the
It has been suggested that the re-
duction Of interest on county war
rants from eight to six per cent
would effect saving Of about $4,000 a
year: that the court house should be
for much less than &c.
$50 even II prisoners from the jail
did the janitor work; that one deputy
county attorney is sufficient instead !
Of two. and that the item Of $4,000
for the county hospital equipment be
cut out, and that useless white ele-
plant either leased to somebody or
Mo nod IN tho houda ~ a nouu1o rRl
county paupers as caretakers until !