The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1914-04-16

ent state tax commission deyoting
all of it's time to the task.
M-hs<-@
ANOTHER "PORK DARRELL"
1t is stated by the Kansas City Star
that some of it's readers are surpris-
ed at it's opposition to the Shackle-
ford bill, which proposes the appro-
priation of $25, 600, 900 as a first ex-
penditure in an extended campaign of
federal aid for good roads. The Star
summarizes its opposition-as follows:
1.-The bill has two fatal defects,
both fundamental. One is that OF the
enormous expense which must of
course fall upon the people. because
the people cannot possibly get some
thing for nothing. The second is the
political corruption possible and al
most inevitable under the bill-cor-
ruption of local Officials handling
money that the local taxpayers do
not contributes; corruption OF state
politics by fostering a political ma
chine ard discriminating among To-
calities; and, finally, corruption of
the real good roads movement by
subordinating state and local endeav-
or to the general scramble for the
pork barrel
The Republican believes not only
that the above criticism is abundant
third and stilf more fundamental OBJ
lection to federal construction of Sc
lected roads. There is at bottom one
big reason for the support of such a
measure--the desire of localities to
obtain road improvement at general
expense. IL Dawson county, for ex-
ample, could secure a model highway
at the cost OF the federal government,
Dawson county taxpayers would con-
slider 1t a welcome gift. If put up to
them in that way, they would hardly
hesitate about accepting the offer.
But the fundamental objection is
that any such project requires the
taxation of the many, for the benefit
of the comparative few. If Dawson
county were to be given a federal
road free Of charge, that would look
good. But what would Dawson coun-
,ty thing of a proposition to tax Davi.
son county for fifty or a hundred
years for the construction Of model
roads in other part of the United
States?
OF course support for federal roads
is beguiled by the hope of obtaining
part of the appropriation. But that
is anything but certain, While on the
other hand 1t is absolutely sure that
If the appropriation is made, every
part of the country will be taxed from
the beginning to provide the funds.
1t is wrong in principle to take the
money of Florida taxpayers to build
roads in South Dakota. And it GER
tainly will be admitted by South Da-
kota that 1T is wrong to tax South Da-
kota for the construction of roads in
Florida.
Summed up, the project of federal
aid for good roads is an endeavor by
some communities to get something
at the expense OF other communities.
And 1t ought not to have the support
OF those who have regard for equit-
able taxation.
@>sS@
The death of M. p. Beebe of Ips-
wich removes n man whose natural
worth won him the respect of the
whole state. He demonstrated that it
is not necessary to hold q prominent
public office in order to be known
and appreciated by the whole state.
Gov. Byrne will find 1t difficult to
choose a worthy to him
upon the state board Of regents.
m>s<@
THE LEAST GUILTY PUNISHED.
The four gunner who shot Her
fEg .EEra. NHE