The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-10-20
THE TEST OF ANALYSIS.

One of the commonest eXpedientI
among politicians seeking office "a
the promise 10 reduce the taxes. This is
n favorite line OF attack with those
who are out and trying to get I'm. But
how very seldom indeed are such prom
ises ever kept. II IL true that nearly
all governments are more or less waste
full, but tho difficulty 10 largely inher-
ent In our popular political system. II
one person could give his attention 70
all the details Of a government, more
economies might reasonably be eN-
pected, but this IA manIfestly impos-
| sible.
Careful analysis by sensible persons
will usually expose the fatal weak
ness OF those who undertake 10 promise
all things to all men In order to he
elected to ONCE. Take the case OF the
| republican candidate for governor OF
| Tennessee FOR instance, About all ne
seems 70 know about the situation Ia
! that Gov. Roberts has been engaged in
EFFORTS TO readiust the finances OF the
state which had been drifting from bad
to worse for several years. lie rea-
sons from this that AntaEonlsms have
been created and objections raised OF
which he may possible be able 10 take
advantage.
But what q poor showing he makes.
Not one coherent, constructive sug-
gestlon does no Offer. Simply objects
to what has been done-thats nil That
is perfectly easy. but II doesn't get us
anywhere. Some childish, Impractical
ideas Of assessing property values are
recited, but no showing Ia made that
It would require less money to meet
the states obligations n he were gov
ernor, II Mr. Taylor favors defaultinK
our bills or going deeper into debt In
order TO meet them, he ought to have
the hardihood to say 40 In 40 many
words instead OF beating about the
bush.
People who think are sometimes i'm |
pressed by a cold blooded analysis Of a |
situation. Such analysis might help TO |
better understanding OF 80 much |
trothy contention in Tennessee. Let us |
apply such a test to the Roberts tax |
laws and what was promised in their |
behalf In tho outset. we might say
that we do not regard them as ideal
In all OF their details. II was claimed /
for the new laws, however, that II they
could bring all property In the state up
to tho taxpaylng level OF the average
small home owner, the state would have
plenty OF money for It's needs without
increasing tho lAtter's burdens What
ars the faots7
Figured in the large, the states as
sessed valuation has been Increased
shout two and one-half times. No
candid person will pretend, however,
hat II Is now IN excess OF it's cash
'alue. The tax rate has been reduced
rom IS cents 10 rs cents on tho hun
ired dollars OF value. The revenues
II the state will be increased by some
hing more than . million dolars-all
4 which IL very much needed IL the
cate Ia to continue to maintain its gov
and avoid bankruptcy But
cts get back to the pledge to the
mall home owner.
survey which would disclose the
roportion OF holders OF property run 7,
Ing IN value from $1,000 TO 5000 who q,
gil pay more tax to the state this year !
Z ~ cents on the hundred than last 4.
ear At SO cents would be illumlnat-
1g We take II that there are very ,,
NV. Tho big corporations and others
mo have been shifting their burdens
, those less able to carry them will,
course. have to pay somewhat more.
ut In all good conscience, these ought ,
OF to complain. Some OF them hcRto-
IRE went almost tax free. while others
enerally receive much more In rents
nd emoluments now than formerly.
There Ia still another extenuation ,
'htch, In all fairness, should be con- :
ldered. or the Sd cents state tax lev :
ed last year, cents was for rural
chools. Under the sliding scale which
pplies TO other statse ffxAes this wouttl ,
70 reduced 20 oontss. Rtld would make
he total rate 20 cenfa instead OF "a
ents. But the legislature absolutely
efused TO reduce this tax 20 tho scale.
Ihe schools needs were too grcat. =
low many patriotic taxpayers would J
SIX that tho Z cents bo taken or? "
Would Mr., Taylor be ono Of thom7 Lot c
I'm meet tho issue squarely. We do '
ot believe one IN a hundred would \
hus rob the schools. I
1t Ia seen from this showing. there I
ore. that those who want to mako n "
air comparison with last year should o
ompute their taxes on n % cents basIs
lstead OF 20 cents. The cents ad-
itionhl Ia 40 much increase given to U
ne schools. on a 90 cents basis many
you'd discover that thev will paw less Il
han last year. Some will pay less any &
'ay. Those who can improve on this o
ltuatlon can demonstrate IN black aud r
'hlte how they would 20 about II. II y
hey refuse to do this. thcy cannot be t
rusted. "