The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-01-13

out derives her revenue from puh'ic
utilities, inheritance taxes and fees.
North Dakota.
The Nonpartisan press of Idaho Is
uuite active In telling our people the
amount of the tax levy for state pur,
poses in North Dakota, as compared
with that in Idaho; Dakota, 2.9S; Ida
no, rs mills. As l have stated before
this means nothing. 1t Is only one
factor. Now, let us look at the other
the valuation. In 1919, this year, the
assessed valuation was raised from
S4O3, 422,25S. O91S assessment) 10
S1,514,OOO, OOO an increase of over $40
per cent. The state levy was reduced
from 4.3 mills to 2.9S mills. Had lda-
no increased her assessed value IN
the same proportion it would have
taken tax levy of only 1.9S mills.
In 1917-191S the total of North Da'
kota's appropriation was $4, l23,654.99.
In 1919 1920, $8,OO9, 242.1O, an increase
of $685., SSH, or over "a per cent.
North DakOta's legislature v0teo
bonds to the extent of 17,OOO,OOO.
These figures are official and cannot
be successfully cOntradicted. l am
perfectly willing that our Nonpartlsan
friends draw comparison between
Idaho and Dakota provided they 90
as have dOne-give all the factors.
This concludes my analysis OF the
appropriations made by the last legls.
lature. No previous legislature had
such problems to meet. depleted
treasury. outstanding warrants, Den.
ciencies greater than ever before,
every public institution In the state
crying for relief, and a universal de'
mand from the people for good roads,
all requiring money and only one way
to get it--by direct taxation.
If there Is any censure or criticism
due, it should not fall upon men who
had nothing to do with the making
of appropriations. The enemy always
center their attacks. upon the five state
elective officers. With the exception
of the governor, they were helpless.
For the maintenance Of their own de.
partments, they had to accept that
which the legislature saw ut to give
them.
As member of the senate, wish to
make this statement. No man fought
harder than l to keep down expendi.
lures and some of the appropriations
made did not receive my support; not
that l did not think they had merit,
but I knew that the average taxpayer,
not being as familiar with the condi.
tons of our state as we were, would
charge us with extravaganza.
Take them as whole, do not be-
lieve that Idaho ever had more
earnest and conscientious body Of men
gather together than those who com.
prised IdahO's fifteenth session Of the
legislature. We differed politically
and on some state questions, but II
was an honest difference of opinion
All of them were seeking that which
they believed to be for the best in
terests and the upbuilding of Idaho.
Efficiency.
In the final analysis, it is not so
much what thing costs as to finding
out if we have received value for our
money, and that question will bring up
the operation of Senate Bill 10. There
are those present who will go into that
in detail. AS one who was partially
responsible for. the passage of this
measure, l have tried to observe its
operation. If we can Judge from its
first six months, when it is undergoing
its organization, l would give it the
stamp of approval, and if I had my
way there would be more consolidation
of departments.