New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-02

DDS 20 the administration OF the bust
ness affairs Of the state.
Governmental Economy.
The people of the state should re
slze the increasing seriousness of this
problem, and they should appreciate
that this matter of governmental eff
cheney and economy is their own per-
sonal concern. II vitality affects their
interests and involves the future pros
peritv of themselves and their chill
dren. whether or not they now happen
10 be direct taxpayers. The. ultimate
effects Of improvidence, waste and eX-
travagance in public expenditures
reach every citizen, and, in fact, are
always more injurious TO the wage
carriers and those of small means than
10 any other class in the community.
Every citizen is interested in seeing 20
j.. that every dollar contributed TO the
support Of the government shall yield
a dollar Of return in public service.
The figures in regard TO public eX-
renditures speak for themselves, and
surely they contain a warning when
we cannot longer disregard. twenty
wears ago the state debt was practl-
cally nothing; now 1t is over SloSOCo'-
600. Twenty years ago the annual IN
terest charge Of the state was pracIi-
callv nothing; now il is over $3.50
400. Twenty years ago the authorl5ae e
state expenditures were Sll ,2Ou'OOu;
in 1913 thew were SAC, 100000 Twenty
wears ago the number Of state en-
Dloves was about 300; now they num-
Der over $4,000. Twenty years ago the
net debt Of what now constitutes the
city of greater New York was approx
rnatelv $3.50. 900 900: to-day It IS over
5000 600 900. Twenty years ago the
annual interest charge of what now
constitutes greater New York was ap-
proximatelv S7,000,000; in 1914 1T was
S3S. 600 600. Twenty years ago the
authorized annual expenditure ior
greater New York was approximately
sec .OOO. 600; in 1914 the APPROPRIATIONS
from revenues alone were Sl92'J9o,oUo'
Deplores Lack of System.
Taxpayers of the United States con
tribute 81 100000 year for the sup
port Of the national government; TAX
PAYERS of this state contribute approx
mately $50. 100000 a year Tor the sup
port Of the state government, ana TAX
pavers Of the City Of New YORK con-
tribute in taxes and increased loans ap
proximately S250,000,OOO year buI
there is no adequate system governing
the collection and disbursement OF
these vast sums, and the people 40 hot
know and are without the means OF
knowing what in private business
would be regarded as the hrst essen
tials Of management. The national gov
eminent has undertaken the construc-
ton Of public works costing no le se
than 5000 600. 900. the state S2OO,OOO,OOO
and the city 300,000,0OO, but no clear
financial programme or budget, no com
prehensive system or plan OF puouc
improvements and no DEFINITE pro
gramme have been prepared and mace
available to the people or 10 thel
chosen representatives.
"There is another important reason
/ for adopting a scientific budget pro
/ cedure. Nothing is more disturbing to
! business, more unjust in its results or
more destructive 10 property rights
/ than constantly shifting burden OF
! 4axation. In 1911 only S220,60O was
/ raised by direct taxation for the state
government, while in 1913 the tax
/ levy for this purpose was over SILL
| 600 900. As between the city and state
/ there Is no correlation in taxing meth
ods. the state levy on real estate being
relatively low but fuctuating. whereas
/ The CITY puts three-fourths of the cost
N government on real estate, cost
which 10 yearly mounting higher. Our
nresent practice not only spells in
equity 20 property owners, but in
NAM instances will ultimately mean a
grossly unfair rate of taxation, or the
S;rtuai conNscation by the government
~ the property Of one class Of citizens
wbjle other classes are left free from
taxation.
Discusses Inheritance Tax.
"A,o,ber practice that seems nm
sound and misleading Is the u.iil1as'v.'
~ The inheritance tax for meeting cur
ron. eYnenses. An Inheritance tax is
means whereby the state, for us own
nurnoses. takes over a part OF the &C
rumulated capital Of the community
THE question is presented whether IL
would not be better practice TO Apply
Tho inheritance tax TO state capita
rurnose. such as the making OF per
manent improvements or TO the reuuc-
tion of Indebtedness incurred Tor ms
nurnose An added objection 20 the
Irritation Of the inheritance tax ior
current expenses is the irregularity
snd Auctuation in the amount OF the
rnt,,rn For example, the collections
in The County Of New York IN 1910
amounted in the aggregate 10 Sy,'UI.
S53 while in 1914 they were s5,lo3,25l'
3 reduction Of s4.598 ,364. The effect
81 throwing this tax into the general
fund is thus 10 accentuate the huc'ua-
tions in direct taxes
"The element of foresight in borrow 1-
inc is also a part Of planning that has
been overlooked. Twenty years ago the
state was not borrower. To-day II
offers large issues 10 an investment
voarEet that is already overloaded with
municipal issues New York City alone alone
d" INC The last five years he's sold from
S56 600 600 20 $7O,0O0,0O0 per year year o0 OF
iono term issues. and from 100000
80 corr ooo 600 of short term issues