The Weston leader. [volume] (Weston, Umatilla County, Or.) 189?-1946, 1916-07-21
ITEMS
OF General Interest
About Oregon
Arguments in Favor Of Three
New Legislative Acts Are Filed


proposed tar limitation amendment,
rural credits amendment and the
amendment 70 repeal 0regon's Sunday
closing law were hled with Secretary
Of State Olcott this week for inclusion
In the Official election pamphlet.
The tar limitation argument was
submitted BY Robert r Smith, seere-
tary Of the Oregon Taxpayers League,
the rural credits argument By the com
mittee in charge Of the Oregon Refer
endum League, and the argument for
the repeal Of the Sunday closing law
By Dan Kellaher and Ben A. Bellamy,
Of the Independent Retailers sssoeia-
tion Of Portland.
The arguments for the three pro-
posed amendments in part are ss fol-
lows.
Are taxes IN Oregon high enough?
Shall we limit their further increase
to 9 per cent a yearf These are the
questions In considering the State
Wide Tax Limitation Amendemnt.
"Oregon's per capita tax 10 higher
than that Of any other state in the
Union. During the past ten years
taxes have increased 81 per cent .
year. Taxes have increased Eve times
faster than population.
"As result, Oregon has been going
backward In population and wealth for
the past three years. Last year seven
families left the state to each new
family coming into II. In the face Of
these discouraging conditions there are
those who have plans which win result
in still greater increases In our taxes.
Unless q limit is provided the legisla-
ture and our public officials viii con-
tinue TO increase our taxes ~ rapidly
as they have In the past.
The amendment limits the increase
in taxation to an annual increase not
to exceed six per cent unless greater
increase is authorized by the people.
THE farm debt Of Oregon, secured
by real and chattel mortgages, is con-
servatively estimated at $50, 600, 900.
On this debt the farmers are paying
an average rate Of about eight and
one-fourth per cent interest. Added
TO this the costs Of renewal and com
missions, the rate paid 10 probably
little under nina and one-fourth per
cent.
..Ths rural credits amendment pro-
noses 70 take the burden out Of the
farm mortgage at interest Of five per
cent. Tbs cost Of title searching and
appraisal win be from $40 to $50. ac-
cording TO the amount Of the loan. The
farmer must pay Of one per cent Of
the original sum borrowed each year.
That is, the payment Of six per cent
on the mortgage viii pay interest, cost
Of operation and wipe out the debt en-
tirely in q period Of So years.
'sThis system would mean to Oregon
an annual saving in Interest and mort
gage costs Of $3.50, 900. 1t would mean
an end to the perpetual worry and ex-
pense Of mortgage renewing; practi-
cally an end to foreclosures. lost homes
and blighted hopes: better equipped
farms and greater rural prosperity.
.'The continuation. Of the old blue
law. which win be enforced II not re-
pealed. simply means putting the peo-
pie Of Oregon in q straight jacket on
Sundays. II not repealed this anti
quated law will be enforced strictly,
as it is now being done in Washington.
Lane. Linn, and other counties in Ore
gon, where now you cannot purchase q
q cigar. refreshments, gas
oline or anything else on Sunday.
IF enforced it means that all NOV
ing picture theaters must close on Sum
days: It means that no basel u games
can be played on Sundays; it means
that all pool and billiard parlors, and
alleys or other innocent exer-
cising sports and recreations operated
for pay or profit must not operate on
Sundays; It means that Sunday news
papers cannot be printed. sold or deliv-
cred on Sundays; 1t means that all
pleasure resorts and recreation delights
Of all kinds, including picnics. must
cease on Sundays. If entrance fees or
charges are made.
''Ice cream. confections foods Of all
kinds, and regular business of any
kind except medicines, and medicines
only, at drug stores cannot be sold or
delivered on Sundays. 1t means that
you cannot get shoe-shine, that you
cannot buy cigar, or candies, or fiow-
ers on Sundays, unless you can prove
them necessities or charities. /"
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