The St. Joseph observer. [volume] (St. Joseph, Mo.) 1906-1932, 1917-01-13

intangible property which escapes un.
der our present method.
Other states have such laws, which
fact removes the objection that they
may cause an injustice to such enter.
prises as come in competition with
similar industries elsewhere. Their
justness and fairness are now so well
established in our sister states that
I shall not enter into a detailed dis
cussion of them.
State Tax Commission.
recommend the creation of a
state tax commission. believe the
time has come when It is necessary to
create such a commission, whose du-
ties shall be to enforce and supervise
the revenue laws already in force,
as well as those which you may pass
Problems relating to taxation are al
ways difficult. We all agree, how
ever, that whatever taxes are pro-
vided by law should be efficiently ad-
ministered. In order to do this II
is necessary that there should be
some central authority, with power
to aid local assessors and to see that
they administer the laws of the state
in a uniform manner. A state tax
commission, or some similar central
authority, now exists in about forty
states of the Union.
A permanent state tax commission
would be able to furnish the general
assembly such information as is nee
in,n 70
isfactory revision of revenue laws. The
power of this commission may be
made to include supervision over the
expenditure, as well as the collection
of the states money. with authority
to recommend methods of economy
and efficiency in all state depart
ments; with authority to make a
scientific estimate of the revenue for
each biennial period, presenting same
to the legislature with budget and
recommendation as to how the money
should be expended The budget
would be for the guidance of the leg
islature with view to make the in
come and outgo balance.
The experience of other states
shows the wisdom OF such a commits.
sion and Missouri should not fall be-
hind in adopting this method in work
ing out our revenue system.
Penal Institutions.
The last legislature abolished the
penitentiary contract system effective
December 31st, 1916.
Provision has been made for EN-.
ploying only three hundred Of the
prisoners the twenty-seven hundred
remaining are idle, with the excep.
ton OF those required for routine
work. This situation Is so serious
as to be critical. 1t will be necessary
for the legislature to act Immediately
to prevent distressing and dangerous
results.
am thoroughly convinced that we
must meet this perplexlng and com
plex question boldly and fearlessly
by saying once for all that these con
tracts shall never be renewed-tha'
there will be no better time in the
future than today to work out this
problem with this factor eliminated
|, therefore, recommend for your
consideration that the board OF par
dons and paroles. the board Of prison
inspection, the boards of the Missouri
Reformatory. the State Industrial
Home for Girls, the State Industrial
School for Negro Girls, all be abol
ished and the duties now performed
by these boards be placed under the
exclusive jurisdiction OF a board o'
say five meInbers-not over three o.
whom shall belong to the same politi
cal party; this board to have large
powers. including:
First.-Pardons and paroles sub
ject to the governors approval.
Second-Buying OF all supplies fo'
the four institutions.
Third.-Leasing and condemnins
land for farming purposes for the in
mates OF the penitentiary.
Fourth.-Establishin state indus
tries manufacturing for the inmates
OF the penitentiary.
Fifth.-Erecting new buildings
such as reformatory.
Sixth.-Working prisoners on tn
highways III COUHtCllOu Win tue plu
posed highway commission.
Seventh.-Employ warden and su
perintendents.
Eighth-Make rules and regula
tions for all employees.
The salary of this board would no
exceed the salaries and expenses o
the five boards to be abolished, ir
cluding the salaries OF their secre
taries and treasurers. The saving L
the buying of supplies through on
agency would be very large. But b'
yond the question Of economy exper
ence in other states has proven tina
= a great work OF organization, builC
ing and reforming as above outlined
Is best operated by such central al
= thority.
A prison system should be broa
+. and comprehensive. The men shoul
= be developed during confinement b
placing them in a position Of mutu'
responsibility where they can prepai
for work after their sentences e.