The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1919-08-29

the Farmers, Railwaymen and LABOR
is going forward so rapidly, there is
much interest throughout the state
as TO lust what will be the Triple Al
lance platform in the coming CAM
paign. ...,-. A.,
At this time it ishrfot within the
nrovince of any individual or group
to state precisely Just what any part
of the platform will be, as that VIII
he determined by the Convention
comnosed entirely of direct represen-
tatives of the people. The platform
undoubtedly will embrace many
measures for the bettering OF condl-
tions for the people, but as all prog
ross costs money. it seems to me that
the manner of providing the neces-
sary funds should be the principal
rlank in the Triple Alliance plat
form.
Taxes must be higher for several
reasons-First: the administration OF
government is costing more IN the
same ratio that the cost of nVlng is
advancing. Next: provision must be
made for the gradual payment OF
principal and interest on our war
debt, and last but not least, there IS
a widespread and growing demand
among the masses of the people for
improvements and betterments in
living conditions generally and to a
large extent those can only be reach
ed through radical extensions IN the
powers and duties of our Govern
ment.
Larger appropriations should be
allotted to our State Educational IN
stitutions and there should be IN
creased levies for the maintenance
and extension of our public school
system, with special provision for de-
cided increases in the salaries of our
teachers, in keeping with the splen-
did work they are doing and the
great responsibility they have in
moulding the minds of the rising
generation.
No one can fairly object to higher
taxes If the money is judiciously and
economically used in furthering the
mental, moral and physical we'll
being of the people in general.
There must be a far-reaching re-
adjustment in our present system OF
assessment and taxation, for II our
present basis is followed, the hlgher
tax levies will mean the gradual eX-
tinction Of the small home owner
and the average farmer. The great
est problem before the world today
is the increasing unrest among the
people. If we can increase the num-
ber of workers who can afford to
own their own homes and increase
the number of families who can
cultivate their own farms, in Just
that ratio will unrest disappear and
a new era of contentment begin.
independent home owners should
be encouraged, but If our present
system of assessment of property
values is continued. there will be a
marked decrease IN home-oWhlhS 3
families.
Decided increases must be made in
the assessment and taxation of hold
ings of large corporations and oth-
ers who control large tracts of land
for speculative purposes. There is
a widespread and strong feeling
among the people of this state that
such holdings are not paying thelr
fair share of taxation at the present
time. Competent authorities assert
that two-thirds of the property in
the state escapes taxation A large
part of this is money, stocks. bonds,
notes and other intangible assets. If
this wealth were placed on the tax
rolls it would to that extent relieve
the struggling farmer and home
owner of their burden of taxation.
Should the masses of the people as
represented by the Triple Alliance
come into control of the government
of this State, this readjustment OF
assessment and taxation should be
the first problem considered, for 1t
is the basic one.
l hope to see the platform contain
progressive measures for the better
ment of conditions such as COM
prehensive public marketing law de-
signed to secure to the farmer a
larger return for his toll and fairer
price to the consumer, radical in
creases in compensation to injured
workmen and elimination of hospital
contracts for their care. Amend
ment of our election laws so that
no man or woman who is citizen
can lose their vote, recognition of
women on all State boards and COM
missions dealing with educational,
industrial, penal and other lnstltu-
tons; extension of the Constitution
by the initiative and the opportunity
to vote for the calling of Constl-
tutional Convention in order to bring
our Constitution up to date.
The Employers Association is tax
ing the lead in an active campaign
of opposition to the Triple Alliance
The Employers Association has
always been against the workers
having anything to say about wages
or working conditions so naturally
they are opposed to the workers
having anything to do with the max
They are appealing to the business
and property interests of the State
to aid them in their fight against the
Farmers and Organized Labor. The
small business man and the small
property owner has more to fear
from a continuance of the present
system of taxation than from fair
readjustment of assessments as pro-
posed by the Triple Alliance.
1t is the large holders of untaxed
wealth who will rally to the call OF
Big Business, for they realize that II
they are forced to pay taxes on the
same ratio of valuation as the small
business men, farmer or home own
er, they would soon have to loosen
up on their holdings. This would
give more people a chance to be-
come independent, would assist In
giving us more roads and schools
where they are needed and thus be
another step forward towards the
ideals of a democracy.
Every effort will be made by our
opponents to divide the ranks Of the
Farmers and Labor This Will fail
Tor both the farmer and the worker