Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-07-05
A WORKABLE PLAN FOR TAX REDUCTION.

The Progressive remedy for the high tax evil, which
the Republican platform declares to be the paramount
problem in Idaho today but which that party admits lS
inability to solve, is plain, simple and effective m
1t proposes attack the problem at the only place IL
should be attacked and that is by aboshng all the offices
which do render service equivalent to the cost OF their
maintenance that not essential to the necessary
conduct and performance of governmental functions.
They also propose abolish practically all the great host
of deputies that travel about over the state at pubc eX
pense giving greater attention to boosting the poCca
tunes of their friends and their party than they do IN
many instances to the service of the public
is also proposed to impose the legitimate duties these
deputies supposed to perform upon local oclas al
ready position to perform them without additional cost
thus not only efectng great saving OF expense but
bringing the government and enforcement OF the law
closer to the people
These remedies will alone to the people not less
than % per cent of the cost to them in direct taxation OF
state government In addition this effective of
handling the problem proposed to have the Legislature
exercise proper jurisdiction the taxing power OF
all local taxing bodies, by limiting the greatest amount
that they levy the very lowest figure that good udg
ment and experience has demonstrated Will be required 1or
the necessary governmental functions OF such body.
For the purpose Of raising funds above this amount
two methods are proposed: first that such board espe
ciay county commissioners shall prepare budget to be
submitted the people at the general elections and
ond that application shall be made to the or the
state commission for authority to levy such additional
amount up to a maximum fixed by law.
We very glad to note that certain agencies even
outside the Progressive party have earnestly advocated
much the SYSTEM and also very glad that the
mite financial plan for the state and its subdivisions.
The plan for submitting budget to the people for then
approval rejection at general election, entails no adj
ditiona cost whatever while at the time it allows
those directly interested to determine whether not they
desire to tax themselves beyond the meres governmental
necessities and having decided the question themselves
they neither complain because taxes are high nor be
cause they not high enough to give them some i'm
provemens advantages not possible under the limited
tax that the taxing body may levy.
When general election is not pending, when emer
gency sudden necessity may require additional levy
it proposed require the sanction of the state tax
mission the governor The platform did not undertake
to make choice between the two for the that
just uncertain the future of the state tax com
mission
This plan of requiring approval from the tax commits
sion or the requires that of necessity the
thorty to which application made shall closely nspec
every expenditure of the taxing body making the app
cation and if it be found that extravaganza waste, in
competence is responsible for the shortage of funds tn
necessary permission would, of course, be refused O.
the other hand if the additional expenditure be foun
necessary the welfare of the people affected the
saTy permission would be granted.
No additional expense would be entaled In applyln
this remedial measure. There already state examiner
who could be called upon by the governor the state ia
commission for a report upon the financial condition
the taxing district affected This close examination alon
would be worth immense amount to the people inter
ested.
So here we have the plan proposed by the Progress
sives First the adjustment of unnecessary offices an
deputyships and the performance of full days work fo
the wages paid; second the rigid limitation upon tn
power Of taxing boards to levy taxes limiting the amour
to only the actual necessary required for conduc
ing an economical government, and third submission
the people affected for approval of any tax above this
at general election and there be such election penc
the approval of the of tx