The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-10-21
TAX PROMISES. uNFULFILLED

The taxpayers of Canyon county not
only have a surprise in store but great
disappointment as well. When the tax
payer receives his statement this year
he will be informed that the bill will
be materially greater than last year.
This will be surprise because the
State has been flooded with literature
telling about the great savings that
were to be made in conducting our af-
fairs OF government, and they will
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 genuineness of these alleged saw
ings 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 its appearance and wrung
from the people sum vastly in excess
of actual needs but which tax eaters
quickly expended. However, there were
some excuses for high taxes in those
days, because there had been an era of
public improvements, bat since that
time we were supposed to,be economic
ing and holding expenditures down to
the lowest possible limit. In 1914 the
tide had turned and newspapers all over
the State were running articles boast
ing about the reduction of taxes in their
respective counties. The public was led
to believe that the good work inaugural
ed in 1914 would 60 on and the reduc
lions continue. Reduced appropriations
were made and the people stinted them
selves in every way possible with view
to getting down to a basis upon which
they could meet their obligations to tax.
payers. They will not easily be recon
clled to an increase of taxes in 1915.
The records Of the assessors offic.
indicate that farm lands will come in
Tor good share of the increase in Can
yon county. This county is dependent
upon farming and its kindred industries
for its prosperity. It is unfortunate
that the burden should fall 80 heavily
upon those engaged in such pursuits,
Few Of them have 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. It shows slight reduc
ton. The magnificent sum Of one one
and one-half cents ON $500 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 lead
ers whose sincerity is open to question
when they promise impossible results.
The first essentials for reduction of
the cost of government are honesty,
efficiency and economy ON the part of
officials, and this must be in connection
with sound and sane policies admins
tered ilr 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.