The copper era and Morenci leader., 1921-07-29
Taxpayers Ask State Executive Reduce Budget

J. G. Cooper, acting General Man ager of The Arizona Copper Go. Ltd, returned on Thursday from Nogales where ill company with other mine managers of the state, he attended the sessions of the Arizona Tax Con- ference, participated in by state and county officials, including the Govern or, and taxpayers representing all classes of taxable property.
 MT. Cooper states that as a result of the conference a movement has been launched by a committee of tax. payers representing several counties, to have the Governor call a special session of the Fifth Legislature, for the purpose of endeavoring to reduce the budget for the state expense for the fiscal year 1921-22.
 The committee representing the taxpayers estimate that the budget provided for by legislative appropria- tions could be reduced by more than a million dollars without seriously intereferirg with the operation of any state institution or commission.
 The state tax budget this year will amount to approximately S6,000.000. or an increase of one million and half dollars over last year Chas. H. Howe, chairman of the state tax com mission, told over 200 delegates in Nogales at the opening of the state tax conference for this year.
 Every county in the state was re- presented at the meeting with the ex- ception of Apache county. The ses- sion opened with an address by Mir Howe, who gave a resume of indus trial conditions throughout the state, and declared the tax burden, at best, 1Unuld he 1lnlIeua1lV heavy
 It is estimated that last years state tax rate of 471A cents will be all most double this year.
 Appropriations have already been made by the legislature, he said. and that the state tax rate could not be lowered although by strict economy, he said he believed both cities and counties could reduce their respective rates.
 During his address he called atten- ton to the new law in connection with the state budget which gives the state commission power to raise unusual tax levies to meet deficiencies throughout the state.
 |. Grand Canyon Wins
 Following his address action was taken to select a city for the next an nual meeting of the conference.
 
 Grand Canyon, Nogales, and Tomb , stone delegates entered their respec- tive cities in the race, a majority of votes going to Grand Canyon. Following the selection of place for the next annual meeting the com mission brought up the subject of ir- rigated lands in the state, questioning boards of supervisors and assessors as to how they arrived at their valua- tions.
 ! No decisions are to be made at the conference. The commission wilt convene in Phoenix later and go over all assessment rolls and then make any changes in them found necessary.
 Mining Companies Represented
 A number of the larger mining com panies of the state were represented at the conference. Among prominent i mining men attending were: James s. Douglas, of Douglas; w. G. Boyd the Ray Consolidated, J. c. Cooper. of the Arizona Copper company at Clifton Nogales, Ariz., July PA special session of the legislature could cut $1.500 900, or 9 per cent from the total appropriations made by the last legislature according to report made public today by committee of tax Continued on Page Eight