Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-01-19
Governor Favors ReadiUstmeat
of Taxation System.
URGES AN EIsHT-RoUR DAY
Asks Adoption Of Initiative and Refer.
e-duui and Higher Income Tax
Exemptions 20 Correspond With
Increased ccst Of Living.
81 FRED L HOLMES.

TIE tax burdens Was one OF TIE rfln-
gipal arguments I'm the message 20 the
legislature delivered by Gov. John J.
Blaine This means that Governor
Blaine favors a taxation Of wealth
-aevorliug 90 the ability 90 Pay." a
we'll - rial estate. The tax adjust
ucus problem looms as the biz ques-
sIon before the legislature and the
rlassa-e ~ Governor Blaine today has
placed e 10 the fore.
Following their organization. both
houses ~ the legislature were con
yered today Ia Joint session 20 listen
o. Tie governors message. II was de-
live7ed by Governor Blaine In the as
sembly chausber and the galleries were
craAded with spectators 20 hear him
outline his legislative policies. The
message. which d nearly 800 words
long. occupied over al hour IN deliv-
erg. The Joint session was presided
over by Liegt. Gov. George +. Com
iu-S
Important policies advocated hy Gov
srnUr Blaine were:
Adoption - the Initiative and refer
rudum.
Approves ~ the recall. with safe
guards 10 prevent abuse.
The right ~ legislative iuterroga-
s.0n and removal OF apprutlve Off
ee~s
Use n Income tax 10 meet expenses
q government.
Higher income tax exemptions 20
correspond with increased cost - liv-
Iuc.
Removal Of secrecy clause from IN
come tax returns.
Exemptions Of Improvements from
taxation 10 aid hOmeSteader.
Condemns national navy and mill
tary program.
Fayors 4 strengthening Of market
commission law.
Urges extension OF credit by keeping
Wisconsin money FOR Wisconsin indus
tries.
Favors a basic elght-hour day Tor
Industries.
Would Improve workmen's compen-
sation act 10y increasing benefits Ca
certain cases.
Urges abolition 'of child labor and
fuvors rehabilitation Of Industrial
workers.
Give railroad commission power 20
TX passenger fares.
Volunteer committees must report
under corrupt practice act.
Women. farmers ant laborers must
have representation on educational
boards.
Urges general committee hearings TO
hasten the work OF session aud bring
20 20 early close.
Governor Blaine opened his message
with n statement regarding the iniiia-
tire. referendum aud recall. He spoke
u the states where Il had been adopt
ed. citing Massachusetts, and Ohio ia
particular.
When the people have these instru-
Inents." said Governor Blaine. "neceS-
sary 90 permit OF the free use 81 the
ballot Tor the purpose OF righting
wrongs and correcting evils. giving
them the right In express their viii.
We need never fear for the safety a.
the republic"
Governor Blaine came out FOR the
right Of legislative Interrogation ~ az.
E0ilfIye officials. Such n measure
was twice passed b. tho 1919 session
~ the legislature and each time il was
vetOed.
Administrative bodies should D.
responsible 10 the people through tie
legislature" said Governor Blaine. ITO
bring this about Il will BE- necessary
10 lodge tie power In the legislature
GO remove such members"
Considerable evidence was present
el by the governor showing that the
income tax rates had remained the
same since 1871. but that the taxes on
real estate had SCARED.
1t viii be seen that the tangible
property pays by far the greatest
amour; OF taxes. and not only Is there
an Increase In the assessed valuation
20 tile property. but there Is consian;
Increase In the tax rate. while the IN
come tax rate never changes" said
Governor Blaine The purpose of the
income tax law originally was 10 pro-
duce an equitable adjustment 81 the
tax buuien and 20 place a fair share o.
such burlen upon those who are besf
able 10 pay. That purpose has nor been
accomplished"
Recommendation vas made that tie
exemptions under the income tax law
should pc increased. IS n result 81 Tie
cost ~ living. and that the new eN-
cmpii0ns he rot les than thar eS;all-
iished hs the federal government. he
ur-ss the removal 81 the secrecy
clause from the income tax law and
points out that as the result 81 audit
Iu- only IT out 81 12Ooo corporations
in tie state an additional income tax
~ SiOa 81 was assessed. Inspection
~ seal tax authorities and others wiii
nip to remedy these WronSS. De o.
ciares