American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-10-21
TAX PROMISES UNFULFILLED.

TAX PROMISES UNFULFILLED.
The taxpayers of Canyon county not only have a sur
prise in store but a great disappointment as well. When
the taxpayer receives his statement this year he will be
informed that the bill will be materially greater than last
year. This will be a surprise because the state has been
flooded with literature telling about the great savings that
were to be made in conducting our affairs OF government
and they wil-naturally want to be informed as to why it
is that some of this great saving does not appear upon
their tax bill. They are likely to become ~skeptical as to
the genuiness of these alleged savings and may even
wonder if the figures have not been juggled. The tax bill
speaks for itself. Taxpayers are not looking for the kind
of Savings" that increase their taxes.
The public will be disappointed that the tax tendency is
again upward. 1t was hoped that the maximum had been
reached in 1912, when the full cash value made it's appear
ance and wrung from the people a sum vastly in excess of
actual needs but which tax eaters quickly expended. How
ever there were some excuses for high taxes in those days,
because there had been an era of public improvements, but
since that time we were supposed to be ecOnomizing and
holding expenditures down to the lowest possible limit.
In 1914 the tide had turned and newspapers all over the
state were running articles Boosting about the reduction
of taxes in their respective counties. The public was led to
believe that the good work inaugurated in 1914 would go
on and the reductions would continue. Reduced appro-
priations were made and the people stinted themselves in
every way possible with a view to getting down to a basis
upon which they could meet their obligations as taxpayers.
They will not easily be reconciled to an increase of taxes
in 1915.
The records of the Assessors office indicate that farm
lands will come in for a good share of the increase in Cam
yon county. This county is dependent upon farming and
its kindred industries for it's prosperity. 1t is unfortunate
that the burden should fall so heavily upon those engaged
IN Sucn pursuits. rev OF them nave passed the develop
ment stage and it is next to confiscation of their farms to
impose additional taxes.
Taxpayers will know exactly what the situation is when
they receive their tax statements and compare the bill with
last year. They must not be deceived as to the rate. 1t
shows a slight reduction, the magnificent sum of one and
one-half cents on $100 of valuation! But they must bear
in mind that their valuations were raised 10 per cent at
the state house in Boise. The best way to get at it is to
compare the bills for the two years.
The question naturally arises, when are we to see the
end of high taxes? The answer is difficult. Certainly not
until the taxpayers quit following leaders whose sincerity
is open to question when they promise impossible results.
The first essentials for a reduction of the cost of govern
ment are honesty, efficiency and economy on the part of
officials, and this must be in connection with sound and
sane policies administered in a sane way by sane people.
The subject is too serious to attempt to be funny and The
Tribune would suggest in all seriousness that you look
at your next tax statement and then sit down and give it
careful study-Caldwell Tribune.