Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1921-02-19
Governor Richie Out To
Reduce State Tax Rate
Number Of State Officials
Will Also Be Reduced.
Plan Heartily Endorsed

ACSN1h VI 11Is NldUOIl
the City democratic leader, from
Havana, has given a decided impetus
to political affairs in Baltimore anc
really marks the opening of the cam
paign for nomination to the various
offices to be filled the coming fall. In
connection with the revival of the
talk about candidates, there is much
being said in regard to the plans of
Governor Richie for improvements in
the public service generally, and the
consolidation of many of the depart
ments and the reduction of the ex-
penses incident to the overlooking of
the payrolls with unnecessary Off
Gals in several of the departments
and that there are too many depart
ments is admitted by all who have
paid any attention to the great in
crease in the number of State en-
ployes in the last ten years. Some of
the departments notably the Public
Service Commission is overworked.
and has not enough men to attend to
the vast amount of business which
comes before it for adjustment Other
departments have many sinecures
and have difficulty in finding real
work for those on their rolls. The
Governors plan contemplates an en
tire change in all these matters.
Mr.. Mahon thoroughly approves
the plans of the Governor to simplify
the workings of the State depart
ments, and reduce their number, as
well as to reduce so far as possible
the expenses of the State Govern
ment. In his opinion the most i'm
portant task before the State admin
istration is to reduce the State taxes,
and so to plan as to enable the City
and the Counties to reduce the local
taxation. He believes the great ques-
ton now before all administrators of
the affairs of G vernment, Nation l,
State, City and County is how to re-
duce expenses, and thus reduce taxa
ton, for the burdens of taxation have
grown beyond measure, and far be-
yond any conception of those who ia
vor even the widest sort of extrava-
gance. The great problem therefore,
of all legislative and executive gov
ernmental bodies, in the opinion of
Mr.. Mahon, is how to administer
public affairs at minimum cost
without any unfairment of efficiency
so that there may be a decided reduc-
ton in the weight of taxation, local,
State, and National. In his efforts to
bring about such results the City
leader IS ready to back Governor
Richie to the fullest extent of his in
fluence AMI power. In the meantime
the politicians. as we'll as the people
generally, are lining up in their ex
pressions al approval Of the Govern
or's plans, and by the time the Ger
cral Assembly meets next winter, the
indications are that the executive will
have very little difficulty in securing
the enactment Of all beneficial legis
lation, especially all that will promise
a reduction in the expenses of the
State and local governments, and
consequent reduction in taxes. Indeed
the cutlery against any increase in the
public expenditures, and taxes, is so
great that any officials who would
either stand in the way of such &C
ton or fail to give it his approval,
would be eXecrated from one end Of
the State to the other-and the. same
holds good of every State in the en-
tire land. Reduction in Government
tai expenses, reduction in the number
of officials, and, above all else reduc-
ton in taxes, is loud cry which is
going up from everybody and every
where. Governor Richie is hearing
this cry every day and every hour.
and has determined to reduce the tax
es next year. no matter how many Of
fetal heads he may be obliged to cut
of, or how many public improve
ments he may be obliged to restrict
or postpone. Many of those improve
ments may be very desirable, and ev.
en- necessary, but all are luxuries to a
great degree, and while taxes are so
high the State will have to do with
out such luxuries on the ground that
Maryland is too poor to afford Their.
at the present time.
PAUL WINCHESTER.