The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-12-31
INTERESTING POLITICAL
GOSSIP FROM THE
CAPITAL CITY
STATE ASSOCIATION FORMED
IN ORDER TO REDUCE
TAXES IN STATE OF
IDAHO.
Governor Alexander Checked up by
Speakers-Burton L. French is a
Candidate for Congress-Repub-
ican State Central Committee Will
Soon Meet.

Boise, December "a State Tax
Association was organized in this
city last Tuesday as a result of the
meeting of tax experts held here on
Monday and Tuesday. The officers OF
the new association are, Senator Jer-
ONE J, Day, president; Max Mayheld,
vice president; Judge d. w. Stanrod,
treasurer; and secretary to be elect
ed later. An executive committee was
selected as follows: Former Senator
]. c. White, of Kootenai; Senator E.
X. Hayes, of Gem; Senator Nathan
Kicks, of Madison; Prof. H. G. Lewis,
of Latah; and P, H. Smith, of Twin
Falls.
The meeting was we'll attended and
some good suggestions were made.
Addresses were delivered by Cover
nor Hawley, Governor Alexander
Commissioner Ramstedt, Commits
sioncr Graham, John D. Robertson,
and President Brannon.
Nearly all the speakers argued for
the reestablishment of the tax COM
mission. This was particularly true
of the speeches of Governor HawIey,
Commissioner Ramstedt and John D.
Robertson.
The recreation of the tax commits
sion and the checking of reckless ex-
penditures were the key-notes of the
meeting. All were agreed that taxes
were too high as we'll as very unequal,
but no one seemed to have a remedy
not even Governor Alexander, who
was going to remedy everything when
he became governor
The tax meeting was suggested by
tha authorities 1f hn Ctntn
sity, but the signatures for the call
was headed by Governor Alexander.
A state tax association is commend
able and such associations in the past
have resulted in much good. Cover
nor Brady was the first chief exccu-
tive of the state to recognize their i'm
portance. He made it point to call
the assessors and county commission
ers together once a year to consider
the subject of taxation Governor
Hawlcy pursued the same course. The
result was a better understanding OF
the subject by officials who had to
deal with our revenues, and, conse-
quently, better administration of Our
revenue laws. When Governor Haines
succeeded to the executive chair there
had grown up strong sentiment In
favor of State Tax Commission,
which had been recommended by the
tax associations which met under the
administrations of Governor Brady
and Governor Hawley. The legisla-
ture which met while Haines was
governor created the State Tax Com
mission. Governor Haines requested
his commission to make a thorough
investigation of the states revenue
system and to especially report to him
the amount of money raised and
where il was expended. The COM
mission made a most exhaustive re-
port and showed conclusivelv that To-
cal taxing boards were responsible
for most of the high taxes and that "a
great proportion of 1t was authorized
directly by the people themselves.
The report was revelation to tax
payers as we'll as officials. That the
information that it contained was APP
piled to our revenues with proht Is
shown by the fact that taxes immed-
lately took a downward trend-and
this for the first time in the history OF
the state. 1t was common comment
in the newspapers all over the state
that taxes were lower and it was
thought that the era of high taxes
was over.
Alexander and High Taxes.
1t is disappointing to find that
taxes are getting back to their old
figures and that in many of the coun-
ties of the state they are higher than
ever before. Governor Alexander has
made sorry failure of his efforts to
reduce taxes, the one thing above ali
others that he was elected TO do. and
concerning which he made such VIC
lent and prolific promises.
The trouble with Alexander has
been that he either had an entire mis-
conception of the cource of high
taxes or purposely misled his fellow
citizens. In his campaign he charg,
ed that high taxes were due to Re
publican extravaganza at the state
house. 1t was his hue and cry that
the people were being robbed to pay
| the salaries of bee inspectors" and
useless" commissions, and that if ht
were elected Governor he would cul
out all the graft" save the people Z
million dollars. and the millennium OIL
taxation would be at hand. We go
Alexander but he has failed to de,
liver the goods. The legislature par
ed the appropriations down to the
core and then the governor cut and
slashed with his veto to his heart.
content. but still taxes are higher. HI
must have been wrong when he de
clared it was all due to Republican eN
travagance. In fact he has acknowl
edged it. He now charges it up t.
the extravaganza of local taxIns
boards. While the governors stanC
, upon any public question YESTERDAY
and his stand today has come TO be o