Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1913-12-12

publicity with reference to al its acts.
But the state administration, through
the tax commission, is now able to sup
ply information which will help the
people understand the true situation
and to make the necessary correc-
tions in order to bring about the lower
ing of tax levies. This information
will clearly demonstrate, think, that
we have drifted into condition Of high
expenditures, in local matters particu-
larly, due largely to lack Of specific
information as to the situation as 4
whole.
Find Out Where Money Goes.
"For the purpose, therefore, Of Sc
curing public discussion Of this import.
ant matter, for the purose Of securing
the interest snd cooperation Of the
taxpayers themselves, for the purpose
Of enabling us to strike at the root Of
our difficulties, ! desire to ask the COM
mission Of which you are the chairman
to prepare and formulate, or cause to
be prepared and formulated report
which may be submitted to me by jan
uary Is, or as soon thereafter - possil
BILE, and which will contain the follow
ing information with reference to each
county in the state: 4
1. The total amount Of bonded coun-
ty Indebtedness.
2. The total amount Of bonded mu-
nicipal indebtedness Of all kinds.
3. The total amount Of bonded
school district indebtedness.
4. The total amount Of bonded road
district indebtedness.
5. The total amount raised In taxes
during the present year.
6. The total amount raised during
the present year through collection Of
fees by county officials.
Z. The total amount expended for
the maintenance Of each county office.
8. The fatal amount expended for
the maintenance Of municipal govern
ment.
8. The total amount expended ON
roads.
10. The total amount expended On
schools.
9 What the State Costs.
e With reference to the state govern
o ment, I wish you would includs and
S tabulate the following for the present,
: year:
l. The total amount Of outstanding
bonded indebtedness.
: 2. The total amount raised by the
e state in taxes.
, 8. The total amount collected IN fees
y by state officials.
4. The total amount expended by
r the state in the maintenance Of state
r schools.
y 5. The total amount expended by
d the state in the maintenance Of it,
l. penal and charitable institutions.
d 6. The total amount expended by
l. the state in the maintenance Of ceurts.
# Z. The total amount expended for
n the maintenance Of all other stAto de-
z partments.
n Check Up on $lee.
AOA S0C PoA POSC Va CVu1kSe& A0OD VIII
J. you kindly include in your report 4
r statement which will show for each
e. county seat in the state the itemized
y distribution Of 800 tax; how much
IS goes to the state and how II b there
of distributed, how much goes to the
IS county and the use made Of Il, how
n, much goes to the city government and
S, its use, how much goes to the support
to Of schools, how much to the support Of
u roads, etc.
ld| Il should like you also to follow up
r. this report with information to be com.
Id piled and published from time to time
Of showing the comparative expenses oi
s. maintaining the various offices il tlse
several counties, the comparative cos
Of maintaining schools, roads, ETC.; and
o. all such other inf rmation a. in youl
o. your opinion will be Of material help IL
he enabling the citizens Of Idaho to realiz,
a. the exact situation which confronts u
re with reference to the problem Of Tx
of alton.
or How to Reduce Taxation.
IS: Taxes cannot be reduced by law ex
is. cept by arbitrarily reducing the levyin,
he Ipower to a point which may prevcn
Vi. all progress. Our present revenue lhy
nj will give US equitable taxation whel
d. once it is in proper operation; and hi
m is the most that can be expected tor
So any revenue law. In order to reduc
to taxes we must either spend less none
Id or else require more taxable propert,
and, since our government can do Il,
tie to increase taxable wealth, we mn,
#. cetnralize our effortsson reduction I
lly public expenditures. This effort mn,
,ct be general to be effective.
at II trust that this study Of taxatio
mt which l am asking you to make ~
IS. supply the needed stimulus and thaf
- will serve to focus the attention. a. ~
Gu DeODIe unOn fho eno<;@;n N~~xLS1.e -