The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1915-09-30

their eyes The legislature was re-
l~uctantly forced to acknowledge that
prohibition carries with 1t the neces-
sity for absolutely new and radical
changes in methods Of taxation.
West Virginia's experiences are de-
cidedly interesting. Since the begin
ming Of the year there have been three
distinct legislative sessions, the pur-
pose of each being to provide the nee
essary revenue to carry On the regular
state government. The craftsmanship
engendered by the new era Of reform
Is so bitter that the first two sessions
adjourned after refusing to pass rev.
enue measures; but the third session
finally concluded that in view of the
fact that state officials and employees,
teachers in the state university, and
all others usually paid by the state,
were turned away at the state treasury
that something must be done to relieve
the situation created by the loss of the
$3.50, 900 annual income. Governor
Hatfield was bitterly denounced by
the more rabid prohibition partisans
for insisting on higher taxes to meet
the condition Of state finances, and the
fact, as stated above, hat two legisla-
lures adjourned without furnishing re-
lief to an absolutely plain necessity,
shows how far issues can serve peo-
pie from a sensible business necessity.
The state Of West Virginia was actual
ly compelled to declare a moratorium
for sixty days before the members of
the Legislature would recognize the
fact that when one of the greatest of
some method must be adopted to keep
the wheels OF government creased.
When some of the schools throughout
the state were in danger of closing for
lack of funds the lawmakers walked
up, and they made tax laws to meet
the e~xigency. Their taxes are heavier
than those OF the civil war days; that
prohibition carried with it vital practi-
cal problems of government aside from
the moral issues involved has been EN-
phatically impressed upon the taxpay-
ers of West Virginia, and they know
now that If they continue prohibition
that the startling increases inaugural
ed in taxation must be made perma-
increased from six mills on the dollar
to fourteen mills, with a cash value
assessment. Taxes have been doubled
and in some instances tripled on cor
porations engaged in developing the
resources of the state. The state legis-
lature passed what Is known as the
Omnibus Revenue Law" and 1t dOu-
bles the charter tax, triples the tax on
nonresident charters. and imposes an
excise tax on one-half of one per cent
on the net earnings Of corporations.
Insurance companies, banks, and all
domestic joint stock companies are
heavily taxed. Mutual savings banks,
cemetery companies and fraternal or
CARNATIONS, If operated for profit, are
also subjected to this tax. Evidently
West Virginia is about as wet, and
also about as dry, az all other pro-
hibition states. In Charlestown, a city
of less than $4,000 inhabitants the re-
cord of six days last month, in the
police court, showed SO cases where
too much liquor figured. What Is true
of Charlestown, is practically the con-
dition throughout the state. Since
West Virginia now knows that pro-
hibition m high, 1t is debating
whether it Is worth considering its
extremely high cost.
Senator William J. Stone of Mis-
souri,, is chairman of the foreign rela-
tons committee, which makes him a
very important factor in the political
community of the Capitol. "Old Bill"
dropped in to see the president the
other day, to urge the necessity of an
extra session Of congress in October.
The specific reasons advanced in con-
nection with the request contemplate
consideration of the scheme to hand
over 500, 900, 900 and an apology to
Columbia because the United States
cut a ditch across Panama; and also
to take up the proposed cloture or
gag rule in the senate. The latter
innovation is designed to prevent the
endless system of speeches made in
the upper chamber. Senator Kern,
democratic leader in the senate, drop
ped in at the White House the same
day, and begged to differ" with the
distinguished Missourian. He assert
ed that he thought In extra session
would be inexpedient.
Colonel Bryan and Henry Ford call
ed on the president the same day. and
each expressed themselves to the
effect that the country should not pile