Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-09-17
STATE REPRESENTATIVE Ex-
PLAINS POSITION OF STATE IN
CAPITOL EXTENSION LAW.
STATE TAXES NOT BOOSTED
THRU PURCHASE OF GROUNDS
Mere Pittanee So Far 40 Individual
Taxpaysrs Arr Concerned - Growth
Of State institutions Reason for In.
creased Lsvy-Taxss Must Grow
With Other Living Costs.

ZION 10 the story appearing IN g. local
paper in regard to his stand on the
capitol grounds extension matter in the
last legislature. Henry w. Grout. rep
resentative in the Fifty-sixth legisla-
tive district, stated in an interview
that from the trend Of the article the
latter was evidntly written by some
one who was absolutely ignorant Of the
conditions surrounding the new law,
and the exact import of the entire mat
ter.
I'm the first place." said Mr.. Grout,
the capitol grounds are located the
best Of any in the United States. All
that is needed to make them superior
to any other plot Of like nature is for
the grounds to be improved and
brought up to high standard of beau
ty and excellence. A wrong conception
has been taken Of this capitol extern
sion law. It is not for Des Moines or
any one particular city. 1t is for Iowa.
It Is for the people Of the state that
we are doing this, and there is not one
man in the state ten years hence but
what will feel proud Of his capitol and
It's grounds and give praise to the leg
islators who made it possible.
II do not regret my stand on the
capitol extension case in the least On
the other hand, am willing to go be-
fore the voters tomorrow and tell them
that I feel prouder and better for hav-
ing voted for the measure. The capitol
extension case is not a political issue.
much as some people would like to
have 1t so. Democrats and republic
cans alike voted for the measure, and,
let me say, the democrats were not in
q small minority by any means. The
democrats are simply cutting off their
noses to spite their faces when they
attempt to make political meat out Of
the question.
Taxation Mere Pittanes.
I'm regard to taxation" continued
Mr.. Grout. "let me state that the cap
itol extension law added but very liz
tie to the total levy this year. It was
a mere pittance. hardly a drop in the
bucket to the whole of it. On the other
hand a great deal Of the increased
levy this year comes from the demand
for moro funds from our state instttu-
lions. It is for the upkeep Of the pub
lie schools, and the state department
that the taxation has been increased.
During the last session OF the legisla-
ture. was chairman Of the commit
tee on the board Of control. One OF the
first bills that came to us was a de-
mand for an appropriation of $1,000
600 toward tho upkeep Of the public
institutions, our colleges and univer-
sity. We had no money to meet the
demand. We cut down the apropfia-
ton to less than 100000, almost two
thirds Of the original amount desired.
The board cried That they could not get
along without it, but we were forced 10
make them. Therefore this year larg-
er levy was necessary for our institu-
tons. Unless we asked 1t. 1t would pe
absolutely necessary to shut down our
state colleges and other institutions OF
the public. I simply state this to snow
that the charge that the increased
taxation is due to capitol extension is
absolutely wrong and as far from the
truth as day is from night. 1T Is an en-
tirely wrong conception OF the sltua-
tion. It ia not our capitol extension. Out
the nuhlic institutions and the state
department that has caused the IN
creased levy. Again, might add that
taxes have not increased faster tnan
have other things; on the contrary
thew have been far behind. Taxes have
Increased slowly in proportion to the
other things in life. They are far IN sne
roar everything taken into considera-
tion. IT il inevitable in this day OF the
high cost of living and the Increased
cost Of all materials, and the raise IN
real estate prices, that taxes should ne
higher It is nothing more than the
common sense application OF econ
omics''