The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-01-10


The problem of state expenses is very
serious and complex. During the war we
were justified in spending large amount
of money IN order that Vermont should
do her full part toward winning that
war. Now that the war is over we
should give our attention with the same
diligence to a reduction of expense and
the conservation of our resources. In
1901, as shown by the auditors compara-
tive statement state activities were less
than 30 in number, and the grand total
of state expense was less than SS00,000
Today state activities have reached a
total Of over 80 and the expense has risen
to $3.50 900 per year. So within the
knowledge of every member of this as
sembly, we have nearly doubled our state
activities and trebled our state expense.
The state has not increased in popula-
rtion There is no more taxable property
now than in 1900, although the valuation
for taxation purposes has been increased.
In fact, the reduction in titled areas of
farm land would indicate that the farm
property as a whole has deteriorated in
value How then, have these additional
sums been raised? The answer is by the
taxation of banks, railroads, corporations
and other indirect forms of taxation, the
sources of which have now been thor
oughly exploited.
We have reached our taxing limit in
this direction and your predecessors, the
legislature of 1917. found it necessary to
impose a state tax of 20 cents on the dol
lar of the grand list in order To meet the
expense of the war and the increased cost
1
but the expenses of it are not paid, and
| you are not only faced by the same CON
ditions. but the report of the budget
committee you have before YOU
indicates that the continuation of this
/ direct tax of 20 cents is not only neces-
sary, but If this legislature passes any
special appropriations OF any kind, an i'm
crease i'll that state tax will be necessary.
You~ shave before you the report of the
budget committee. which estimates the
feXpense of the state for the coming two
years at 1857 800. After reckoning
lerery indirect source of revenue, the
Iavailable income To meet this sum Is bat
S3.7lI, 800. Here is difference between
the expenses of the state and the income
$50 far as known at this time-of more
! than 81 1905 900 1t is clear therefore,
that there must be levy by means of a
direct tax TO make up this deficiency.
ISpeaking as business men. what III your
lopinion should be done towards remedy
OF existing conditions 2 What can we
unite upon that will materially reduce
foslr annual Expense and still moi reduce
fthe necessary activities or impair the
Ieihcieney of the state institutions
+ live were conducting our enterprises
upon Strictly Business principles and 1T
our own personal-e cost. weula we have
two state prisons. one at Rutland and
one at Windsor. when one prison would
amply care for all our offenders against
the law?
Would we have two normal schools
one at Johnson and one al Chelsea. when
one central school would suffice?
Would we have two agricultural
schools. one at Randolph and one al
Lyndon. when either one of these schools
would care for all our pupils, to say moth
ing of the Agricultural college in connee.
tion with the University of Vermont
maintained in part by Federal aid
Would we have a school for pedagogy
| lin AIitldlebury and one at The University
! of Vermont p =. saibaass .9i..l.'