The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1921-12-01
THE TAxATIO n
QUESTION is
SERIOUS


and the increasing burden being
placed on the people with Governor
Mabey, explains that he is a little
weary of making trips at his own ex-
pense to Salt Lake, and suggests as
an alternative and better way, that
the taxpayers themselves should or
ganize hold meetings, determine just
what reforms should be instituted
then demand them with full deter
mination TO get them. Among the
reforms he would suggest doing away
with many superfiuous offices, and
requiring remaining officials to do
as much for their salary as they
would have to in private employ.
Another is that assessors shall
make It their duty to hunt out tax
able property in securities, money
and other forms that persistently es-
cape taxation while the farmers as
sets, being all visible, are taxed down
to the last centime.
His opinion regarding the high
cost of education, which takes such
a large proportion of the tax money,
is that modern education runs too
much toward football and aesthetic
dancing, and too many ornate fads,
instead of the subjects that train
for a life of useful service.
He advocates the formation of an
intelligent, careful, budget system
operated upon such strict basis that
positively no deficiencies calling for
further appropriations will be peri
mitted or subsequently provided for
No more running into debt for any
purpose when appropriation has al
ready been made.
He calls attention to the fact that
In addition TO burdens already exist
ing, the various counties have issued
additional school district bonds am
bunting to $10,e03, 09s; and that the
total of such bonds outstanding ex-
ceeds two and half millions Of dol
lars.
Cache County's share Of new Sc
hool bonds Is $350,000. Another
new burden here will be the 100000
of road bonds. He might have added
that in Logan in addition to bearing
their share of heavy general bur-
den, bonded and otherwise, many
citizens have been brought to the
verge of ruin by taxes for special i'm
proyements and the same is doubt
less true in many other cities.
From a recently issued report ne
quotes:
Finally 1t must be realized that
the State of Utah is at least three
fourths absolute waste, and untax-
able. Practically 60 per cent, or a.
321, 1897 acres, in vacant public land.
National Forests take up another Z
IL millions of acres, or IA per cent
of the total area. National monu-
ments take up 1870. Out of the
remaining IA 1-2 million acres, less
than 1 1-2 million acres are irrigated.
About 100000 acres are dry-farmed.
The balance is range and non-pro-
ductive land.
This means that the scant 2 mil
lion acres of land must carry the load
of the other so million acres. The
vast waste areas must be policed.
Roads must be built through them
and maintained. And Some COM
unities seem to think they must have
paved roads through these waste
places. Witness the fact that a bond
issue was authorized in a recent ele-
elton in Juab County to pave the
road from Nephi to the Utah County
line on the north, travelling an area
that for the most part is boarded by
sage brush and hills.
The enthusiasm for good roads is
commendable, but 1t should not be
allowed to carry us to absurd and de-
extremes, Santa Clara will
gtoon get the idea that 1t should pave
fits street,
1t is folly to attempt to wear broad
cloth, when blue denim more nearly
suits our economic resources. Bonds
and bondage mean the same thing,
says Mr.. Baxter. Either we or our
children must pay and the burden is
piling up so rapidly as to suggest
eventual conflscation.
Mr.. Baxter suggests a convention
Of the county taxpayers to meet, dis
cuss every phase OF tax problems,
outline reform program, then in
vite the Governor to meet with them
and 20 over the nI4nntinn He saws.