Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-03-26
TAXATION.

1dAAllOH.
The subject of taxation is beginning to
arrest the attention Of the people all over
the country. 1t is troubling serious states
men who are searching for ways and means
to meet the growing expenses Of govern
ment, business enterprises are perplexed
as to what will be the next thrust at their
profits, and the humble property holders
the class who work on farms and at trades,
or have modest fixed incomes-see the
public exactions increase from year to year,
while their revenues remain stationary or
diminish through untoward circumstances.
Chairman Fitzgerald, Of the Appropi-
atoms Committee Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives, eravely predicts a deficit Of a
hundred and thirty millions of dollars at
the close Of the present fiscal year Comp
troller Harrington, Of our own State, fore
sees deficit Of one million dollars on the
thirtieth of September; the treasury Off
cials Of Massachusetts and Wisconsin are
confronted with the problem Of meeting
the obligations created by legislatures
which failed to provide the means Of pay
ment. Minor political divisions-counties
and cities-face like conditions. and are
at their wits ends TO meet the demands
Of progress" and at the same time to keep
within the bounds Of prudence and avoid
the resentment of the taxpayer.
1t is interesting to note that so far as
Federal and State expenditures are con-
cerned, the chief cause of these conditions
is found in the reckless extravaganza and
haphazard methods Of Congress and Leg
islatures and probably it will be found,
in the final analysis, that logrolling pro-
cesses are responsible for large part of
the burden which the people are forced to
bear.
But dollars and cents do not constitute
all Of the load. Almost everywhere the
authorities are searching for new sources
Of revenue. and government is constantly
becoming more inquisitorial in its practices.
Every transaction is scrutinized, suspicion
Is fast growing into fixed habit of the
official mind, and there are not wanting
signs that people are becoming FESTIVE
under the system that is developing.
1t must be conceded, however, that in
some measure the public are to blame for
the conditions of which they complain. For
some years past waves of extravaganza
have been sweeping over the land. and all
classes have demanded luxuries which
really added nothing to their happiness
and. in many instances, much to the labor
and cares Of life. This tendency on the
part Of the individual was certain to be
reflected in public expenditures. in greater
or less degree according to the ability and
foresight and resistance Of those in charge
of public affairs.
But whatever the causes may be, there
can be no doubt that everybody has very
plain duty to perform if the situation is tC
be adequately met. The economic condi
tons Of the country are aggravated by
conditions abroad which are so uncertain
in their duration and in their effect upor
the business and industry of the United
States as to require upon our part thu
outstanding of resources and the surrender
for the time being Of pleasures and PLAN
which would be proper enough in norma
times. Moreover, in view Of what ha
been said. it must be recognized that mel
of knowledge and ability, as well as of higl
personal character, should be sent to An
napolis and placed in the County Commits
sioners' Office to deal with the serious sub
jects that cry aloud for readjustment. Tn
work is no child's play and it cannot b
accomplished in a day. But a line @
policy can be adopted with view to wis
economy. which will, If efficiently admin
istered, in a comparatively short time re
store the State Treasury to sound condi
tons and relieve US Of no small part Of tn
burden which now rests upon us. Propert
which is not bearing its just proportion G
taxes should. Of course, be made to do so
but 1t will not cure the evil merely to fin
new sources of revenue. Extravaganza
must be cut out of appropriations, needles
experiments must be avoided, efficienc
must be obtained. and expenditures mus
be adjusted to the revenues Of the STATE
For this work. we repeat. the best me
should be selected without regard to leader
of factions.
Here the responsibility Of the individu;
citizen comes into play. and at no time /
the history Of the State and county. as "
have often urged Of late. has that respor
sibility been confronted by a higher dut!
The case is hopeless unless that duty
discharged with fidelity and conscienC
which honor and loyalty alike demand