The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1921-01-22

CAt08 tA0
in which the last three sessions OF The
Legislature have fallen and the errors
in Judgment exhibited by the govern
ment and the people in these times
regarding the matter Of business con-
ditions. II summarizes the effect OF
the war and Of postwar conditions on
Nevada industries, and expresses the
opinion that W. are upon the high
road to steady. uninterrupted prog
ress with many of the shocks due to
defation already discontinued and
absorbed. 1t expresses the opinion
that no ground for extreme pessi-
mism exists. but the people are still
in need Of such government services
and institutions as white, civilized
and reasonably intelligent men and
women insist on in all progressive
commonwealths, but that on the 9TH
er hand they can afford no unproduc-
tive governmental frills and embel-
lishments .
Under the caption Taxation and
the Budget" an explanation Of the
purposes of the budget is made. This
measure requires that no appropria-
ton bills be acted upon until the gen.
eral appropriation bill submitted by
the Governor has passed both Houses
The statement Is made that the
budget cannot be completed before
the time set for its delivery in the
statute-twenty days after the con-
vening of the Legislature, but the
Legislature is invited to have men,
bers of its ways and means commit
tee present at all executive budget
hearings, and the Governor requests
permission to transmit duplicates of
| department returns to the ways and
means committee as rapidly as they
are completed in order that the COM
mittee may be able to work on the
matter Of general appropriations.
A discussion of the rising cost of
government in Nevada follows. At
tention is called to the fact that the
State, counties, cities and towns con-
s~titute, in the aggregate, a very con-
siderable corporation. Like private
enterprises they hire services and la
Dor, buy merchandise and employ
transportation. The higher prices Of
these things over the past six years
account for sonfe, but not for all, OF
the increase in the cost of govern
ment. The statement is made that
the cost Of government in Nevada
has not increased relatively in the
same proportion as the cost of pri-
vate enterprise is reported to have
increased; nor in the same proper
ton as the cost of government has
increased in similarly situated States
The statement is made that the real
problem does not lie In a satisfactory
explanation of what has occurred
but it lies in the devising of means to
start these costs downward again to
parallel the curve of diminishing re
turns in the affairs of the taxpayers.
Analysis of revenue follows In
which it is alleged that during the
period of imitation both the State and
the counties suffered losses of reve.
nue.; first. in the loss of business Ii.
censes, the laws providing for which
were repealed in 1915; second. in the
loss of liquor licenses, and third, in
various minor losses due to the alter.
alton of practices from which State
income were derived.
Inasmuch as the precise figures or
these points are to appear in the bud
get, It is sufficient to say here tina,
the aggregate receipts in revenue
were estimated at $350,000 annually
"a sum transferred by tax rate In.
creases from individual contributors
" piOpCity tdA OutrlDuJoES Al
tention is called to the fact that 4G
per cent Of our citizens in Nevada pay
no very substantial tax on property
and that there may be a social justi-
fcation as well as an economic rea-
son for the restoration of the bust
ness license.
A discussion of the uniform rule
in u constitutional provisions re-
lating to assessment and taxes fol
lows and a request for a constitutions
al amendment establishing classified
assessments. The statement is made
that In this there will be no provision
for the assessment OF the gross pro-
ceeds of mines, nor for a tax on the
body of the mine. 1t Is suggested
that public interest is served by in
viting mineral development. but It is
suggested that bonanzas and extreme
ly profitable ore deposits should pay