Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-03-24
LEGISLATORS WORRY
OVER TAX. system
FEAR EXPRESSED THAT BUDGET
SYSTEM WOULD be GENERAL.
~ MISUNDERSTOOD.
PUBLIC MIGHT IMAGINE
TAXES WERE BOOSTED
Proposed Plan Generally Conceded TO
Be Mors Business. Like Than Present
MIIass easis-sentiment Gradually
Changing, Attic Lawmakers Fear
Wrath Of Voters.
Special to Times-Republican.

I, Special to Times Republican.
| Des Moines. March 24.-Shall the
state OF Iowa be placed on a business
basis as to its purely business affairs
or will the people go on trying to de-
ceive themselves by hodge podge OF
methods and lack of system?
Can the Thirty-sixth general assem-
bly, afford to abolish the millage taxes
and make direct appropriations for all
purposes, with just one state tax levy
with everything showing plainly just
what it is and what it is for?
Two ways of stating the same thing.
Some members Of the legislature say
| the answer ought to be easy enough;
| but others are inclined to look at all
sides and consider all obstacles, and
| the more they think about 1t the more
| they are inclined to go slow.
| The real situation is just this,
said Senator John Darrah, who is one
OF the levelheaded business men of the
appropriations committee, that l have
| believed ever since ] came into the
! legislature that the millage tax meth
cd was sort of subterfuge and scheme
| for keeping down tax levies and direct
| appropriations while yet providing the
! money really needed for colleges and
such things, and we ought to adopt a
! simple business method; but can we
afford to do it? If the change is made,
| it Will mean that, the face CT the
records there viii be an enormous in
crease in direct appropriations and
| big jump in the general state tax
| levy. OF course the increase in appro-
priations will be nothing more nor
| less than providing the same funds in
another way. It will not be an in
crease, or at least not any material in
crease but 1t win look that way. So,
also, with the tax levy. 1t will be a
| Jumping into one tax levy Of half
| dozen or more and it will look at first
/: as if there was an enormous increase
| in the state tax levy. which win not
! be true. And the change would be
/ to a system that would in fact make
for economy IN the long run.
! Would Be Misunderstood.
! But it would put the legislature on
| the defensive. 1t would call for lot
of explaining. 1t is certain that dem
! agagues would take advantage Of the
| situation and by distorting the facts
| make use of the figures in political
way. While the change would be dis
| tinctly in the interest OF economy and
! Of benefit to the taxpayers, there Is no
doubt whatever it would be used to
| convey exactly opposite ideas. Now
what shall we do?"
! 1t is this big problem Of how to
! handle the finances of the state that
| has been causing worry to the legis-
! Iators far more than any Johnston re-
! peal bill or Rayburn inspection bill or
capitol extension bill or lake drain
age. The solemn fact is staring into
! the faces Of legislators that by reason
of the patchwork system of the pas,
and each legislature shifting the bur-
/ den to the next one and SO on, there
| is the greatest misrepresentation Of the
business status Of the state and OF the
methods of legislation relating tc
finances. The situation had never
been plainly placed before the legis-
lature until the biennial message Of the
present governor.
1t has been suggested to members Of
the legislature, in this correspondence
that in case the change is adopted, il
a statement or address should be pre-.
pared and be adopted by the legislature
setting forth the facts plainly as t.
state finances past and future. show.
ing exactly what the change mean!
and how 1t affects the state institutions
and the taxpayers. Such a statemen
well made and adopted would go IA
toward opening the way for genera
! acceptance of the change as one en-
tireiy in accord with modern ideas
Of legislation.
Sentiment Gradually Changing.
The desire for the change and TO-
adoption OF a better method Of hand
hing state finances, so that a genera
and complete budget could be made VI
each session and be adopted as
whole, has come gradually and proceed
apparently from all sides. It is non
partisan and n-factional. It is from
all interests represented. OF course tn
boards and commissions that have tn
handling OF funds secured from tn
millage taxes are opposed to tn
change. The millage tax plan was de
vised for their benefit.
II the millage taxes are to be re
tanned, the most sensible proposal We
made for adjustment is that in tn
Chase bill which reduces the millag
taxes proportionally and reduces tn
limit for the various local levies. sue,
as the bridge. insane, poor, road, ett
This is on the theory that the genera
increase in valuation OF property t
conform to the law has made this nee
essary. The bill would reduce tn
millaRe tax for the colleges and tn
other state institutions and for tn
capitol Improvement and in q way tina
ought to meet with general approval.
But the appropriations committee
are wrestling with the large questio
OF how to supply funds for the institu
tt0ns and whether or not to readjus
the whole scheme Of taxation and ap
propriation.
GrinnelI and Vicinity.
Snerfa1 RI Times. n am, hlican