Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-01-26
STATE TAX LEAGUE
IN SESSION TODAY
WITH MANY PRESENT
Much Discussion Is Aroused
by LaFOllette's Industrial
Commission Bill

The State Taxpayers League in ses-
sion today at the Commercial club, with
about go delegates from all parts of the
state, went on record, in the way of
resolution, that it was not in favor of
the state officials adding even six per
cent each year to the amount raised for
taxes the preceding year.
Governor Withycombe spoke in favor
of more elastic system of taxation,
rather than the six per cent limitation.
He said that California and Washing
ton were expending large sums in adver-
tising and that occasion might arise in
Oregon where it would be advisable to
raise more than six per cent of the for
mer year s levy. He thought that tax
alton should be more elastic, especial
| ly as the great resources of the state
had scarcely been touched.
Senator La Toilette was not in favor
of paying more state money to the in
dustrial accident commission and cited
what had been done in 80 other states,
He thought the commission should be
self sustaining. This subject was dis
cussed by many delegates.
| A resolution committee was appoint
ed this morning, of the following: G,
+. Spence, chairman; James Stewart, +,
+. Brodie of Clackamas; George Miller
of Union county; Henry Reed of Multi.
nomah county; 0. T. Taylor of Clatsop;
| Ebert Bede of Lane county.
The session was called to order by
Senator Walter NJ. Pierce of La Grandc
who addressed the session.
This morning the following resolution
on the 6 per cent tax limitation was
introduced:
Whereas, the per cent tax limitation
amendment adopted by the people OF
Oregon as part of its constitution, is
being interpreted by many tax-levyine
bodies as a guarantee of the privilege
of increasing tax levies 8 per cent each
and every year, and
Whereas, when so applied, It com.
pounds annually until at the end OF
ten years the increase of taxation IS
about lSl per cent over what it was IN
the year 1916, when taxes already were
burdensome, therefore be it
Resolved, that it is the sense Of the
State Taxpayers League, in regular
convention assembled, at Salem, Ore
gon, January 27, 1917, that notice be
served by local and county taxpayers
associations upon all tax levying bod
les that the application Of the q per
cent limitation as a guaranteed IN
crease Of 6 per cent compounde dannnal'
" should not be tolerated by public
sentiment and will accumulate ruinoua
burdens upon the taxpayers OF the
state, and be it further
Resolved, that we recommend that
the subject of how to readiust period
Iically such tax levies as increase at
the compound rate of 6 per cent per
annum be made a special order for dis
cussion and report at the first 1918
meeting of the league, and be it furth'
er.
| Resolved, that committee be APP
pointed by the president to prepare a
report upon this subject, with recon-
mendations for consideration by this
4 league.
| The resolution committee this after
noon reported to indefinitely postpone
the resolution presented providing that
state aid should be withdrawn from the
state industrial accident commission
when the act is made compulsory. A mo
ton was passed providing that before
the league committed itself to any res
olution, it must be carried by two
| thirds vote