The Sun. [volume] (Price, Utah) 1915-1932, 1917-01-05
HAS NOT THE TINE COME TO HALT AND
THINK OVER EXPENDITURES?

Has not the time come to call halt to the
needless expenditure of public funds? Has not
the time come to hold the cost of government
within reasonable bounds? These are two ques-
| lions propOunded by Salt Lakes Tribune and
with which many already overburdened taxpay-
ers of Eastern Utah and elsewhere in the state
will agree The days when the individual must
economic in many directions to keep within his
income the state, the city and the county should
not continue TO be spendthrifts The public Of
ficials Of Utah seem to have lost their bearings
in an ocean of taxation and reckless expenditure.
Is il not time for them to set themselves right
time to take the safe course and keep it?
Mere economizing here and there will not ac-
complish the result the people of the state have
been longing to achieve. Something more COM
prehensive than clipping off a few dollars here
and few there must be put in force. Money has
been spent by wholesale for what must be term
ed uxuries The officials seem to believe that
they or the public should have all of the best
things that can be obtained, that there should be
no limit TO innovations. TO public commissions
and TO ways and means of spending money.
The business man has had reason to under
stand the deplorable results of riotous expendi-
ture and soaring taxes. Investments in real es-
tate and business enterprises are not bringing
fair returns. And not only the business man
who is here, but the business man who would be
here If taxes were less, understands the situa-
ton. IL Is all very pleasant TO be spending hun
dreds Of thousands for all kinds of improve
ments, but the reaction is destructive. We are
simply driving away the capital we should have
for the development of the state Corporations
and business men seeking opportunities for in
vestment will not invest here when the cost Of
doing business is made prohibitive by excessive
taxation.
From time to time we have been promised
lower tax rates. We have heard the promises
with delight, Snd our disappointment, therefore,
has been all the keener when tax rates, instead
Of being lowered, have been increased. Various
excuses have been offered for the failure TO keep
the pledges. public official Is fortunate in be-
ing able TO make excuses and still draw his sal
airy. A business man who fails because he has
spent more than his business can take in finds
no comfort in excuses Some of our officials
seem 10 ignore the fact that every day they are
spending the business mans money. They are
adding something TO his expenditures which
makes IL impossible for him 10 earn what he
should on his investments He can control GER
tain expenditures, but seemingly he cannot con-
troll the taxes. While he economies, his money
Is being squandered by public officials.
At a time of unexampled prosperity the bust
ness man has right 10 ask why his returns are
so inadequate for the amount of capital invested
The answer 10 this inquiry he finds without diff
ficulty His public servants are spending too
much Of his money on needless things. While he
uses the street cars, his public servants think
they must have runabouts and touring cars. The
situation grows serious because the state Is re-
ceiving advertisement of a most unenviable kind
II we are really 10 prosper we must let the rest
Of the world know that in Utah an investor will
be protected from excessive taxes-that IL he
places his money here he will not be compelled 10
pay all Of the profits into the public Golfers.
All sensible men who have experience Of bust
ness can understand why there must be change
The credit Of Utah must not be further impaired
Steps must be taken 10 restore our public ex-
penditures 10 a reasonable basis.