Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-07-07
THE ISSUE.

The one big issue in the state campaign this
fall will be economy. The candidates who
stand for cutting state expenses to the bone
are going to win popular support. The "wets'
may try to stir up interest in the repeal of the
Van Ness law. and the "reformers' may try
to make an issue out of the recent prize fight,
but the issue that is going to get the votes is
the one that means a drastic ~slashing Of state
expenses which will bring about a decided
saving of the taxpayers money.
New Jersey which, up until a year or two
ago. never had a state debt. is now piling up
a state debt so fast that it is hard to keep track
OF it. Until about five years ago a direct state
TAX was unheard of. Now We are paying a
direct state tax for our state highway system
and find that it is going to be increased.
although it was going to last only five years
when the law was passed.
At the last. session Of the Legislature a COM
mittee was appointed to draw up plans for a
state income tax to be reported at the session
next winter. Those who claim to know de-
clare that a state income tax is inevitable.
With state expenses constantly increasing,
with interest on the bonds to be paid as we'll
as a sinking fund to be provided in order to
pay off the bonds when they fall due, more
money has got to be raised somehow. No
matter what scheme may be devised in an
effort to fool the people. in the end the tax
payers must pay.
But taxes are already almost more than the
average person can bear. When one realizes
the local taxes and the federal income tax
with a threatened sales tax on top of that
already being paid. 1t is like adding the last
straw to have a state income tax imposed
along with all the rest. 1t seems as If the
further we get from the war the more the
taxes increase.
There is but one answer-economy.
1t seems to be realized everywhere but in
New Jersey. While Governor Miller. of New
York, was putting across his economy program
at Albany last winter, calling for the dropping
CT some $500 of1ceholders with an estimated
saving Of SO, 000,0 90 to the state. the New Jersey
legislature was engaging in one grand orgy of
spending, increasing salaries for those holding
atata-sinecures, and otherwise wasting the
x.o5re's money.
In Ohio a reorganization of the state ma
cbinery has taken nlace whereby some thirty
seven state bureaus have been abolished and
in their place eight departments have been
formed at a saving of millions of dollars to
the people Of Ohio.
Down in virginia a candidate for governor
at the coming election is making a decided hit
with the people by running on a platform
calling for a state manager who will run the
state much as a great corporation is con-
Quoted.
The whole country is familiar with the way
General Charles G. Dawes, the new director OF
the budget at Washington. is going after
federal expenses hammer and tongs. His Is
the direct action method and there is already
q rafting Of dry bones in the numerous oh1ce
buildings where the faithful have held down
soft sinecures from administration to admin
tstration until they have come to look upon
their useless positions as a life right. General
Dawes is determined to make every cent OF
The peoples money count, and he has the
backing Of the entire country in his effort.
This is what New Jersey needs more than