The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-24
CAN'T PAY TAXES
Taxpayers Leagues Being
Formed in Several Sections.
General Move on Foot for Re-
duetiOn Of Expense.
BANKS LOANED TO LIMIT
Big Movement Of Crops Has
Taken Place.
Organizations Now Active in
Three Kansas Counties.
~ a. Z. SHULTZ.

Kansas Is facing organization o.
taxpayers leagues IN all sections or the
state-a move which ma mean niue 4
in political affairs during the next
few months. In the last few days
leagues have been organized N three
counties and there is seemingly a gen
eral move toward organized action
for reduction IN public expense. The
problem seems certain to have lead
ing consideration in the next cam
paizn-
Two big factors have entered into
the present situation. One IS the
sudden advance Of SO per cent il
state taxes in a period Of twelve
months. The second is a slump Of SO
To so per cent in values OF farm
products in the same period
As a result of present conditions
hundreds OF property owners have not
paid their taxes. They viii try 20
meet the burden in June and viii pay
the tax charges at that time alrho j
large amount Of real estate viii
doubtless go to the rolls for tax sajs.
In many communities banks are
loaned to the limit and persons who
ordinarily find little If any trouble IN
securing tax money. are now facing 4
big problem What 10 more the Dig
movement OF the years crops has
taken place and in many cases the
farmers funds have been largely alb
sorbeG in payment OF the seasons bills
One prominent Kansas banker came !
to Topeka d few days ago from the
wheat beft. He is in intimate touch
with the affairs and problems Of the
crop growers in western Kansas IN
a. majority of cases. he said, the farm [
ers are letting their taxes go until next
spring III the hope that crop values
viii revive and general business con-
dItiOns improve
II don't believe We have had Il Ie-
quest for money for payment Of taxes
this fall" he said. ''In many cases
the farmers simply haven't paid their
taxes. Many OF the banks haven't
the money to loan. Most OF the people
who cannot meet the present demand
viii wait until next June and pay the
penalty
Form Taxpayers Leagues.
As a result Of the enormous increase
in state taxes farmer organizations
are forming taxpayers leagues which
ara seemingly gathering an unusually
large number of town cecruits. Tax
week where the problem received spe-
cial consideration in the weekly re-
port Of the state board Of agriculture.
County tax leagues have been
formed during the last few days IN
JEFFERSON. Mitchell and Republic couI-
Ues-three widely separate counties in
as many congressional districts. In
Republic county resolutions have been
passed by the organization IN which
junketing trips by state officials have
been criticised It is also declared
that the Industrial court and other
state boards and commissions have
rendered far too little service to the
state in view OF expenses OF the de-
partmeuts-
Resolutions Adopted.
Resolutions adopted by the Repub-
lie county league follow
WHEREAS, II now appears that for
some time past great and unnecessary ex-
rraFaganee has been practieed by our state
government in its various and far too num-
er0us departments. and
WHEREAS, 1t appears that various and
numerous state officers from governor
down have been taking iunketing trips
which have the appearance Of being solely
Tor personal qualification and gain. ut the
expense of the state OF Kansas and its tax
payers. and
WHEREAS. It further appears that the
Industrial Court and other branches Of the
state government have been accomplishing
tar too little in behalf Of the taxpayers OF
me state or hanSus When those accom-
ptlshments ara compared and cautrasted
with the enormous expenditures Of money
made. and,
WHEREAS, By reason OF this sxtrav
agance and lack Of business economy, the
state tax for the year 1921 has been in
creased and raised about $50 higher than
in former years. therefore be it
Resolved By the Republic, county
branch OF the Kansas Division Of the
Farmers educational and Cooperative
mon Of America. in annual convention
assembled. that the state officers of the
state Of Kansas. and the various depart
ments thereof and the heads Of the said
departments to be censored for said ex-
tr1vaganG expenditures, and the ex-
penditure Of public money for private
purposes and that they be admoushed not
to permit the continuance OF the same. and
the state tax levy instead Of being in
creased J5co be decreased to such extent
that the Kansas farmer may SUCCESSFULLY I
manage to raise enough at present prices
TO pay his taxes.
During recent weeks Atehison.
Douglas, Sedgwick, Reno and other
eOuntieS have organized taxpayers
leagues. This week Z. T THOMPSON.
state treasurer. returned from his
home in Smith county with a. warn
ing against reckless expenditure of
public funds. In the statement which !
he issued, tho he parred backs of /
himself and other elective state off,
GERS " referring to their economy et- +
fortST
IN a number OF the counties where /
leagues have been organized moves +
have been made looking 10 careful
surveys OF public expense accounts. {
II is likely that because Of this action
there viii be many requests to stats
officials and members OF boards anu
commissions to come out in the couu- /
try sometime in the next few months
and explain expense vouchers.