Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-01-06

sense. an we'll as the luhiifift " VIII
preservation. justify taking st"ps 70
provide some other means OF state
revenue i'm event the State ~ deprived
Of some part or all Of this outside
revenue.
The report nlso calls attention 70
the steady and Alarming dscrease in
revenues from the State income tax,
the largest singgle source Of State tar-
alton collected from DsiaWareans. ~
lays emphasis upon certain other rormB
of State taxes which II cbaracterizen
~ unjust and inequitable. and II go
verely criticizos loose and inaccurate
methods used in assessing and collect
ing stiI1 other State taxes. In strik-
ing contrast To tho State revenues OF
the still smaller State OF Rhode Island
Even though the revenue we now
enjoy from corporation charter fees
continues there is need 10 give irnrne-
diate attention To the problem Of state
taxation. Our public school system this
year In addition 10 the $3.50 900 u re-
csives from the State income tax, is
drawing upon the States general fund
for over half million dollars, and
there exists in certain quarters a very
strong sentiment In favor ~ calling
upon the State 10 bear oven a greater
share Of the expenses of maintenance
Of the public school system. The
alarming decrease In the revenue from
the State income tax practically wipes
out whatever funds the State Highway
Department enjoyed from that source.
which loss must either be made up
from some other source Of State rev
enue or the state highway system nugt
suffer. Moreover. the necessary ez-
penses of the State government arc
certain TO increase from year 70 year.
ut is essential then that thought be
given at once 70 the construction ~ .
syatern Of State taxation that Will be
adequate for the needs of the state.
/ make II self-Bustaining and independ-
| eut Of outside sources # revenue and
/ which will bear justly and equitably
/ and reasonably upon the citizens and
/ resources Of the State.
Il said four years ago that what
we need is a system of taxation uni
/ form Throughout tho state The war
with its emergencies, has duiled tho
/ public mind TO this issue. But 81
/ this period Of readjustnent we can
no longer postpone the study and in
vestigation Of this question leading 10
a business method policy of equable
taration a Board Of state Tax Com
| missioners with proper authority and
appropriation Is the logical and eff
cient method of approach.
COLLECTION OF INCOME TAX.
In provisions looking 10 the in
| crease of revenue some legislation
should be effected that will better for
tify the State treasurer in the collec-
ton Of the income tax It appears
| reasonably certain that many of our
citizens fail in assuming this obliga-
ton imposed by Law. Those who are
wfifully violating this law should ~
speedily forced 10 comply or accept the
penalty imposed.
PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION.
Delaware has reached a stage u
development that q State Public CtB-
lty Commission should be made. This
viii. no doubt, be- strenuously opposed
hui in no other way can all the ctti
zans be served 50 well as by the super
vision from States interest and publi'
service by some such commission. Yot
have only 10 investigate the results II
other states to recognize It's 20 -siblt
advantage 10 U.s.
THE STATE SURVEY.
oOf all the work of the Council
of Defense. admirable and effective ~
It was, nothing accomplished 50 az
fected our problems Of peace as The
survey Of state. city and count
governments. This again was Tnad'
possible only by the generosity oi on
OF our citizens. without which the worf
would probably have been delayed fol
years. The first report made did no
receive the general approval deserves
and was viewed in some quarters witt
suspicion and alarm. The multipiiclt,
OF boards and commissions, IL u
number. did not seem 20 impress tn
u,1blic of the waste Of money, the con
fict of authorities and the loss Of en-
cheney. A State Survey Commission
was authorized TO study the undlng
of the New York Bureau of Ressarcl
and report TO you. This report IS nov
ready TO be placed in your hands.
, shau not here make any comment fur
ther than 10 say that IL VIII ChaLeng
YOUR interest and consideration. IN
, commission has made no radical rec
ornnen endations. but has made sugges
, tons that will do much for the sim
: plification OF many OF our department
and will effect economies OF no sula
proportions. I commend the Work
! | the commission 10 your attention.
) SECRETARY OF STATE.
: The secretary OF State under prov
: sions Of the Constitution and suose
| ouent statute is without doubt III
/ most important oAAl~S "a etAN Ne--
+ work of this Office has increased TIRE
: nendously during the past few wears
: That you may better Judge the needs
? a few figures will prove illuminating
: The increase in automobile regls1ra
/ ton is as follows:
!svSS !sSS ............. IS
.S,Sy ..,.-.........-. ..
5 1871 '............ 3.o5
, tStt ........-.. 3. 10
isa9 .S1,,, ,,-esant administration record 20
lows ..... ,.
The present adInIillstra1AO AeOoA
follows; 49,
p lSis ..... 1925
tS1o ..... 1915
tSka33 .-.. 1885
..fVba number OF charters granted