Barton County democrat., 1914-10-23
SMALL INCREASE
IN STATE TAX
IN THE YEAR 1918
Only One Twenty. eighth Of
Total Showed a Gain
in IL Months.
TAXPAYERS THINK LITTLE OF
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BURDENS
An Analysis Of Strictly a State A.
sessment Proves Rigid Economy
In kansas-Figures From
the Records.

In kansas-Figures From
the Records.
Kansas paid but $67,976.2S more
state taxes in 1913 than in 1912, ac-
eording to official figures in the Of
flee of the state tax commission.
These same figures show that the
total tax in Kansas-state, school,
county, ity, township and sewerage
Jumped $1,677,276.2S over 1912. In
other words, the increased state tax
of which politicians have CON-
planned so bitterly, increased in II
months about one-twenty-eighth OF
the total, while the balance went for
local extensions and improvements
new schools, court houses, better
bridges, better roads, drainage and
increased efficiency in departments
Of local government.
In an analysis of the state AMI 10
cal tax, the property owners tax re-
ceipt would indicate that the state
has not kept pace with Improvement
Of any one branch Of local govern
ment. During the same period that
state taxes we're being increased ;67,.
976.2S, Kansas was spending $780,
1856 more for county taxes than in
1912. At the same time the city
taxes jumped ;6S7,46964. Cost OF
managing the affairs Of the various
townships increased $299, 9,44S.57. In
that same year, Kansas spent $780,
O67.99 more for local school purposes
than in the previous year. Even the
sewerage tax climbed $32,479.45-al-
most one-half of the total increase In
state taxes.
The records in the offices Of the
state tax commission show some won
derous facts. Each year Kansas has
groaned and grumbled under the bur-
den Of a presumably increased state
tax. The man with a farm, a corner
lot, grocery store or an undertak-
ing establishment has reached deep
into his pocket to find his tax receipt
and testify before high heaven that
the state was robbing him Of his
worldly goods and chattels. ALI the
time very little was being said about
the rapid increase in the cost Of 10
cal government. The property owner
merely knew that he had paid SO or
500 more in taxes than the year pre-
vious. He has read Of the increase
in the cost Of state management
and the state administration carried
the burden
And this is the story the tax COM
missions books relate:
In 1912 the state paid In taxes for
all purposes, the sum Of $27,SO6, ,6O6.SS.
In 1913, the total tax for all purposes
was SIS, ,4SS, ,SS3.66-an increase in 1913
Of S1,677 ,276.2S.
But wait.
OF this enormous increase Of more
than one and half million dollars in
taxes, but 67,976.2S was for state pur-
poses. The official record shows that
in 1912, the state levied kS,SO4,O1223
for state purposes, as against $3,371,-
9SS.51 in 1913. Figure 1t for your
self.
The balance of more than $780,
600 was distributed as follows:
The county tax in 1912 was $685.
992.S5, as against 1902, ,72S.2O in 1913,
or an increase for 1913 Of s4S9, ,7S5.25.
For city purposes Kansas raised
$S,SS1, ,1O1.66 in 1912 and s9,57S,571.SO
in 1913-an increase in this depart,
ment of 1913 Of $6S7,46s.64.
Kansas townships levied a tax oi
$3,4O7, 10000 in 1912 and $780,, ,2OS.57
in 1913-an increase in township
taxes Of $299,44S.57 in 1913.
Local schools compelled the raising
Of a tax in 1912 Of s5,49S,sS1.41. In
1918 this amount was increased to
$5,74S,s99.4O-an increase Of $3.50,
U67.99.
Sewerage taxes increased $S2,479.4S
during the year, or from s126,sOS.2S tC
$159,SS76S.
That is the story OF taxes in Kan
sas.