The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-28
OPENING THE CAMPAIGN.

1t has long been the custom for
candidates for the governorship in
Kansas to make their campaigns On
platform of a reduction in state ex-
penses to be followed by lowering
of taxes. OF course the expenses
have not been reduced; neither have
the taxes been lowered, but the plat
form seems to have lost none of its
popularity.
J. L. Brady, editor OF the Salina
Union, who desires to be reckoned
among. the gentlemen who aspire to
tie Republican nomination for gov
ernor next year, considers it none too
early, therefore, to take a stand for
retrenchment in expenditures and re-
duction of taxes. Mr.. Brady does not
specify how these much desired con-
ditions are to be brought about but
he could hardly be expected to lay his
entire hand on the table and let his
other players look it over.
In pursuance of his desire to go to
the relief of Kansas taxpayers, Mr.
Brady says thru the columns of his
paper;
1t is possible for the state of Kan
sas to reduce taxes without injuring
an institution in the state, but it is
not an easy task; it is d strong mans
job.
The thing bequeathed to us by the
war that will be most difficult to
change, to modify and finally remove
is extravaganza, living beyond our
means, reaping where we soWed not
1t is a lesson we must learn. 1t is a
duty we must put into operation. 1t is
a matter upon which we must find re-
suits. Kansas can reduce expenditures
and Kansas must reduce expenditures.
Taxation touches US more severely
now than before the war. We are all
struggling under the burdens of
heavy war debt. It is expecting too
much of US to look complacently upon
mounting state taxes at time when
the unbalanced prices in the country
are playing havoc with business. The
farmer and merchant have both suf-
fered, both have stocked up at high
production and handling costs and
both have been compelled to sell in
market that had experienced real
catastrophe.
The economy in state government
is to carve it's own expenditures until
it hurts and to counsel economy in
every unit of tax-creating power be-
low it.
The part of the state taxes is II per
cent in the average county, but 2 per
cent is considerable when it adds I'M
necessary burdens. There can be
saving in state affairs. There must be
a saving in county, city and township
affairs. An economical government
will not only make it's own savings,
but it will influence other taxing
n
strong governor can keep public opin-
ion behind local officers hard at work
pressing men to the many small econ
omies which, added together, make a
large saving.
Mr.. Brady then points out that in
1915 the average per capita of state
tax in Saline, county was $2.77. In
1921 the average was s6.11. The av-
was $4sS. in 1921 it is $7s4. You will
notice by this, he says, that the actual
amount of money paid per capita in
state taxes is only 20 per cent less
than the amount paid for county
taxes.
1.-The fact is" concludes Mr.. Brady,
that the tax LEVERS have juggled
and jumbled matters for the purpose
OF deceiving the people and prevent
ing them from knowing the facts.
There is no explanation that can sat
isfy the people as to why the state tax
per capita has been increased 121 per
cent in Saline county, while the
county tax has been increased only
81 per cent per capita"