The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1919-01-16

i
wealth and its people, should be rep.
resented on this beard, and TO this end
rccommcnd such changes thereon as
will permit the Commissioner Of Agri.
culture a seat upon this board and
voice in its transactions.
The hand Of the federal government
rests heavily upon all the business Of
the United States, On account Of the
war the people have suffered this
without complaint and with the hope
that relief would come with the com
ing Of peace. So far this is hope
only, and there is apparently no deiin-
lite plan for returning to rightful
ownership property which has been
seized by the federal government un-
der the plea Of war emergency. This
presents matter to you which
merits your serious consideration. The
railroads and telephone and telegraph
companies contributed q revenue to
the state Of si,ls2,S0 during tho
past biennium. This is one Of our
largest sources Of revenue. There IL
a definite program before Congress
for the federal ownership Of public
utilities, principally the wires and the
railroads. II this plan should BE- con-
the state must face the
loss Of this revenue which would mean
undoubtedly still higher state tax.
1t would seem to me proper for this
legislature to 90 on record against
further sequestration of the sources Of
state revenue by the federal govern
nent.
Federal Amendment
The State of Vermont has already
sacrificed a large revenue by its adop-
ion of the amendment to the federal
which takes over to the
ederal government the princely rev.
nue. from income taxes, and the end
S not yet.
You will be asked at this session to
'ass upon another amendment to the
ederal constitution which not only
leprives the State Of Vermont of
ertain revenue, but which also abro-
rates certain powers of self govern
nent, which the state has always re-
aimed, and deprives our citizens Of
rights. While this mat
er rests entirely with you, and not
With me, / do not deem it improper
t this time to remind you Of the
anger which lies in a too eomplais-
mt surrender Of the rights and powers
Inherent in our sovereign state, and in
ur people.
At the proper time may make
urther suggestions on this subject,
ut at this time will only express,the
ope that your work upon this most
,rious question may be well and
arcfully performed.
There will also be some falling off
! the amount of the state tax on de-
Dsits in savings banks and trust com
anies which in the past biennium
presented S1,507, ,849. This falling
r will be due to investments in Lib
'ty Bonds and War Savings Stamps,
C., and under normal business condi
ons will undoubtedly be returned in
le time.
You have also before you the recon-
endations Of the Commissioner Of
axes in which he asks for certain
lditional powers in the way Of super
sing the collection of taxes in the
rious towns. At the time this
commendation and estimate was
ade there was $230,000 in uncollect
taxes on the books of the various
WINS in Vermont. This proposal TO
rmit closer supervision Of tax col
ting methods with the final right
issue an extent upon property Of
linquent collectors merits your care
! consideration. The state must
Itch its problems Of revenue with
G most jealous care, for the reason
at a further falling off must un-
ubtedly result in increased, direct
lation.
Workmen's mpensation
In 1915 the State Of Vermont under
X to deal with questions Of En-
,yers' Liability and Workmen's
to which was added in
n the inspection Of factories, all
y coming under the jurisdiction Of
Commissioner Of Industries. This
,artment bears most important
ton TO our industrial life, and the
ire Of employees coming under its
isdiction for higher schedule of
1pcnsation, in the ease Of death re-
Ting from injury Hereunder, should
considered in connection with the
is Of compensation, which already
heavily upon the employers Of the
-e. If the schedules Of compcnsa-
are 10 be increased, then the leg