Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-30
Need Business Men

Need Business Men
Continued from Page one)
Of cooperation in the different lines
he believed that they will accomplish
much. In behalf of the Augusta mer-
chants and citizens he extended the
welcome to The city.
To this welcome President Benson
responded in behalf Of the Federation.
Hon. c. Q. Ststson
The subject of Taxation" was dis
cussed and presented in a most inter-
esting manner by Chairman Clement ,.
stetson Of the Board of State Assessors.
He spoke Of Maine, its future and the
development OF it's possessions, and
urged that all become boomers for
Maine.
Chairman Stetson referred TO the
basic law relating to taxation which Is
a part of the constitution Of the State.
that property shall be assessed At us
actual value. and he stated that In his
opinion Maine is now facing a crisis
relative to the matter Of taxation. He
pointed out that in the last four years
the average tax rate in Maine has In
creased almost As per cent. on the tax
able property. and that the valuation
of the State has increased almost % per
cent. The increase. in the taxes OF
steam and electric railroads. telegraph
and telephone lines, savings banks ana
insurance companies, he showed in fg-
ures. And he stated that the average
taxpayer in Maine has about reached
the limit in the mater of paying taxes
on his property, and that he believed
that if the appropriations are to in
crease new property must be found to
tax.
Some of the things that the State
Board of Assessors have been doing to
eaualize the burden of taxation were
uotlined by the speaker. and in closing
he spoke of the willingness of the
State tax assessors to be of every pos
sible assistance to the tax payer
through the giving of information per-
tanning to that department.
Chairman Stetson's address was given
hearty applause.
Governor. elect Parkhurst
Governor-elect Frederic H. aPrkhurst
was the next speaker, and in opening
he stated that he would sepak to the
gathering as a fellow merchant, for
that was his true character. The dut-
is Of and he relation to the govern
ment. of the ordinary business man
was the theme of the governor-eleit
and ne held the close attention OF
everyone in attendance.
That our State is the greatest bust
ness enterprise we have. he pointed out.
It's management constitutes big prob
lem. He showed how the able BUSH
ness men as rule avoid public service,
most of them, however. beisg ready to
criticize in governmental affairs, par
ticularly in the cities. And he urged
that the business men encourage politi-
cal participation and offer Themselves
as candidates for ofices. for as he stat
ed, there is more common sense in the
business man than in any other group.
and no other group gives so little as
does the business man.
Governor elect Parkhurst spoke of
the good that the business men of the
StatS can do by encouraging the
young men Of the State to join the
National Guard. the Srd Maine 1nfan-
try, which Maine has been asked to
recruit up to 1900. The bright career
of the Second Maine in the World War
he told of, and he said that the men
wanted in the National Guard are the
kind, Of men employed in the business
establishments.
Speaking as the governor-elect. Mr..
Parkhurst stated that there is big
Job for every man in the next two
years and he asked of the association
that the members believe that their
governor means to do his work to the
best Of his ability. He said that he
would welcome suggestions. and that
at the bottom of his heart he did not
hope to do much unless men like those
in the federation are behind the State
Of Maine and behind him.
The speaker was given rising oVa-
ton, to which he responded: That's
bully; I hope you mean every bit
of it."
Thomas Smiley Of Portland
The last speaker of the evening was
Thomas Smiley Of Portland. who.
upon the subject of Taxation" urged
the necessity Of sticking to the fund
amental tax system as it exists rather
than drifting to other lines. such as a
State income tax. etc.
At the close Of his address the ses-
sion was adjourned.