Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1913-12-05
votar EIsot Lawmakscs.

commissions for the purpose Of hag
Ing the state undertake government
"a activities alonR new lines. II IL Ger
tainly not the duty Of elected or az
pointed administrative state official
to say them nay or 10 attempt 70 In
sist that these appropriations whic
are supposed 10 reflect the wishes q
the people should not be made.
People Overlook the Facts.
1T ~. however, the duty Of stat
officials 20 carefully and economical
administer the laws and to comduc
an operations OF state government a
the lowest possible cost consistent
with efficient service. This. the pres
emf administration has accOmplishel
IN notable degree. II has not 0nl.
reduced expenses IN MANY directions
but II has rendered frequent account
inga, and has invited the freest ant
widest publicity with references to al
us acts But the state administra
llon. through The tax commission. il
now able to supply Information whicl
win help the people to understand tn
true situation and 10 mike the neces.
sary corrections IN order 10 bring
about the lowering of tax levies Thh
Information VIA clearly demonstrate
think. that we have drifted into &
condition ~ high Expenditure ir
local matters particularly. due large.
b. 10 lack Of specific information as
20 Che situation as whole
Find Out Who're Money Goes.
"l'or The purpose therefore Of se-
curing public discussion Of this inn
pofiant mafter for the purpose of SEE
curing the interest and cooperation
Of the taxpayers themselves. for the
purpose OF enabling us 20 strike at the
root Of our difficulties. l desire to ask
the commission Of which you are the
chairman to prepare and formulate,
or cause to be prepared and formu-
lated report which may be sub
mitted to me by January Is. or as
soon thereafter as possible, and which
will contain the following Information
with reference TO each county in the
state:
l. The total amount of bonded
county Indebtedness.
p The total amount Of bonded mu-
nicipal Indebtedness of all kinds.
3. The total amount of bonded
school district Indebtedness.
The total amount of bonded
road district Indebtedness.
8. The total amount raised in
axes during the present year.
8. The total amount raised during
he previous year through collection
If fees by county omcials.
7. The total amount expended for
he maintenance of each county office
he maintenance of municipal govern
nent.
9. The total amount expended on
Dads.
10. The total amount expended on
schools.
What the State Costs.
With reference to the state govern
nent, / wish you would include and
abuiate the following for the present
ear:
/. The total amount of outstand-
ng bonded Indebtedness.
2. The total amount raised by the
tate in taxes.
8. The total amount collected in
ees by state officials.
4. The total amount expended by
he state in the maintenance OF state
chools.
o. The total amount expended by
he state in the maintenance of it's
enal and charitable Institutions.
8. The total amount expended by
he state in the maintenance of the
curtis.
Z. The total amount expended for
he maintenance of all other state de-.
artments.
Check up on 500.
For the purpose Of comparison viii
GU kindly include in your report
which will show for each
ounty seat in the state the itemized
istribution Of 500 tax; how mucn |
oes 20 the state and how it is there !
how much goes to the |
ounty and the use made of il, |
ow much goes to the city |
overnment and it's use. how much |
pes TO the support of schools. how /
uch TO the support of roads. etc.
Il shonld like you also to follow up
lis report with information TO he I
implied and published from time to
me. showing the comparative en-
'nses OF maintaining the various Of
yes in the several counties, the conf
lrative cost of maintaining Schools.
ads. etc. and all such other infor-
alton as your opinion will be Of
aterial help in enabling the citizens
Idaho To realize the exact situation
hich confronts us with reference to n
G problem of taxation.
How to Reduce Taxation.
Taxes cannot be reduced by law
cept by arbitrarily reducing the
wing power to a point which may
event all progress Our present rev.
ne law will give us equitable taxa
IN when once 1t is in proper opera
m and this is the most which can
expected from any revenue law.
order to reduce taxes we must
her spend less money or else ac-
ire more taxable property; and.
zee our government can do little TO
,rease taxable wealth. we must
itralise our efforts on reduction
public expenditures. This effort | l
Ist be general 10 be effective.
I trust that THE study OF taxation
ich ! am asking you to make will
,ply the needed stimulant and that
will serve to focus the attention of
people upon the specific features
this subject which are most in need
their attention."