Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1914-12-05

THAT 1t is imperative that additional
revenue is provided for the support Of
the state government since the loss OF
100000 annually through the elimina-
ton Of the saloon licenses in West
Virginia, is the declaration of State
Auditor John S. Darst in his report
for the biennial period ended June
80 last, just completed by the state
printer and transmitted to Governor
Hatfield for the legislature.
Auditor DarSt in his discussion Of
the public revenue says that the last
legislature was very liberal in apprp-
priating money and that the state
treasury would have long since been
empty had not the state admiIlajrd-
ton advised, wherever possible, re
trenchment in the expenditure Of tn"
appropriations for new buildings ani
repairs at the several state institute
tiOns.
He recites, however, that during the
last biennial period the 0nireS Of the
commissioner of agriculture and 4
public service commission have been
created, necessitating the expenditure
Of additional funds.
In connection with the establish.
ment Of the public commission tn"
auditor cites the law which provides
that the public service corporations
of the state shall pay the expenses Of
their supervision by the commission,
while the expense Of administering
the workmen's compensation fund is
borne by the state.
Il see no reason for this diStinc-
tion,' says the auditor. "In my opin-
ion the law should be amended to pro
vide that the expense Of administers
ing the compensation fund should be
paid from that fund and not by the
state. If it is right for the state to
compel public service corporations to
pay for state supervision, why then
is it not also entirely right and proper
for those enjoying the benefit OF the
workmen's compensation fund to pay
for its administrations
Either additional revenue must be
provided or further retrenchment will
be necessary, according to Auditor
Darst, who, while declaring his friend
good roads and other matters, advises
deliberation and caution, declaring
Eve should make haste slowly and
deliberately and be sure Of our ability
to pay as we go along. by a too great
increase Of taxes we will discourage
not only our own people, but also the
influx of outside capital and thereby
hinder the very causes we desire so
much to advance"
Auditir Darst says in his report that
the 10 cents direct state tax imposed
for the fiscal year beginning July l,
1914, will raise approximately 100000
and is insufficient to care for the de
felt created through the operation OF
the prohibition amendment, and thath
unless Tie 1eSlSldlulS IlIl'i!p lltN +'''
nues of revenue the limit OF the state
tax must be raised.
while | am opposed to the stat"
tax and believe the state can be RIM
without it if the people so desire, still,
if the revenue Sare not provided in
other ways to run the state govern
ment there is only one course left
open and that is to increase the state
tax. If this cannot be done then the
board of public works would be com
PEELED to borrow money to maintain
the state government.
Il believe the burdens Of taxation
should fall on all alike, rich and poor,
If man has but little property, he
should pay but little tax and he is a
better citizen because he pays some
thing, because he then feels that he
is doing his share as a self-respectlng
citizen to wards paying for the neces-
sites and blessings provided for the