Arizona republican., 1921-12-17

ment of public debts presently ere ated, that same may be now luxuri- ously enjoyed by a pleasure-con- trolled element of our people, whose idea of life may be that they live today and let the future take care of itself; if any such condition; if any such condition public sentiment at present controls the use of public money, or the issue of bonds, or the pledging of the future credit of the public, or otherwise exists as a req son for the increased aggregates of public expenditures, then the first remedy to be suggested\is is that the public mind must get pack to a realization of the real conditions now existing. must come to a full com prehension of what will result if the people do not at least retrench to the extent of lesSening their f9mands made for public activities along lines that approach public luxuries, rather than confined to real public neeessi- ties.
 The remedy for excessive public burdens lies in adopting the same methods. and applying them to pub lie business and public affairs. What a private citizen does to secure safe ty and success in his business af-
 
 do as connected with public business. General progress, both In private en- terprises and along lines of the ideal in public government, to the end of the greatest results to each, can cone, only when industrial efforts can be exerted, unimpeded, and unhampered by excessive and unnecessary bur dens incident to abnormal efforts to- wards purely public advancement. The two should and must go hand in hand.
 Thus, I suggest to this meeting that if no other results come from what is here said and done, than that of bringing forcibly to the mind the mutual interest which each industry of this state which is here represent ed has in common with every other, and to impress upon the public the existence of mutually individual and private interest in the questions of taxation which have been here, and which will be later discussed by those present. Then if no more re- suits than the above, long strides have been made towards an Sluca- tion of the people as to the real angle of approaching a solution of the problems of high taxes and ex- cessive burdens of cost of public af- fairs.
 The remedies which my study oi the situation and conditions which have brought about that situation are in part as follows:
 Professionalism of every pub | lie activity having for its object and purpose the same general ends, into | units, with those units under one controlling head. Doing so to the extent of consolidating what may now be either state. county, city, or | district objects or purposes. regard 1 less of lines of presently established powers and duties of action. in one or the other of the public agencies | named Abolish, abandon. and elimi- nate, all that would be left without real purpose, object, or aims for ac- complishment in governmental func- tions. with such consolidation made and units of control established. Still another remedy suggests it. self:
 Second: The power to vote bond: | fled as such. in general. with req property qualifications added. I am aware that such a remedy would not meet the approval of some enthusiasts for good highways; nol the approval of persons who believe in massive show as distinct iron present needs in the way of presently 1 to be erected public buildings. Bh bonds are pledges secured for future payment upon the property of thi: state which Is permanent and stable l The debts will continue, and will ex- l ist, and must be paid from taxe: | levied. Will so continue long aftei | the desire which controlled a present vote of present enthusiasts In favoi of some bond issue has turned tC | fresh fields as means of present satisfaction of those desires. I'm conservative people of this state, al here represented, are looking toward the building of permanent structure. for private and public advancement They are and they will at all time: look to ways and means and consider the results not only for the presen but for the future. A present contro of the amounts as to what must b' raid for in the future seems to war rant the remedy last suggested.
 Talking as I am, to a conservativ' audience, I suggest a still other rem edy, as:
 l. Three: Every contemplated pub,i Improvement, public expenditure ant public activity should be included II carefully itemized budget estimates
 with such budgets presented at sue. times that the public may be heard
 may become advised. and fully in
 formed as to what is so contemplated
 With such budgets revised to meee the majority views of the interestel
 public. Correlatively. with such :