East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-12-28
STOP MOURNING; GET TO WORK

~ NGING mournfu song about increased taxes in Multi
nomah county the Oregonian ends its lead editorial of
- Monday with the following
The for the taxpayer bearing five times the
burden he bore in 1900 always excepting the other heavy load
Of federal taxaon) unless he makes his mind to end it.
The first place to begin is with the legislature.
But suppose Mother Oregon objects with the claim she
been wearing her old dress since Heck pup and
Old Man Oregon with talk like this:
See here would cut off your whiskers and stop talk
ing politics much around the village store and would get
work and make the farm like should would not be
and would not have to stint ourselves and children
much.'
Look the the face and you must admit there is some
basis for just about that sort Of talk from Madame Oregon
Where there public official city, county state who is
overpaid? On the contrary is not fact that public
wants usual thing notorousy underpad and often
Tor Tar less money than they could get IN private work.
How as you economize along that line when such sua
ton exists?
Where is state institution in Oregon that has much
ey as it really needs for legitimate functions?
Is not fact that schools have generally been
snort ratons that our ayu have been our pen
itenary unfit for holding prisoners those prisoners to
get and state house relic of the Lewis and Clarke
Could any sane humane busnessike person advise
economy than we have already had connection with state
Has Oregon gone road building? All here the
pessmst chance to complain But matter of fact he has
little to go on even here The state road work has been carried
on through bond issues and these bonds being cared for
terest and retirement payments by raised from auto and
truck licenses The taxpayer does not foot that bill.
Where then that grand chance for and reduced
taxation? This fails to such opportunity
to expect the legislature anyone else to reduce taxation
cept reductions here and there through declining
prices
Even could would be wise to try to cut expenses too
much Did the who taught his horse to eat sawdust gain
anyhng Does farmer win by refusing to buy machinery and
allowing his land to go half titled?
On the other hand, what about improving the income
that wont be necessary to hold funeral service every time
part with dollar?
wonderful field open We have vast undeveloped water
great regions needing irrigation materials and shipping
advantages that justify additional manufacture. We could at
tract substantial tourist business to Oregon All these things
would produce wealth the state and tend to lower the
capita tax But state not strong deve
opment As empire builders great haggers taxes
and various petty political problems We the pebbles but
let the diamonds undug Let stop worrying much
about taxes and hit the ball for Increased business We
going expenses very much if all without
ing something to DEATH But have real opportunity to in
production attract people, capital and in
dustries thereby improving paying power.
When is down the tendency for everybody to kick
him and John Etheridge getting his He deserve
swift and harsh punishment but let first get the full facts
the and hear his side of the story.
~~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~~
Looks like December wheat will have quiet finish