Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1922-02-03
CONTEMPLATING A COMPLEX
QUESTION

Iohn ID. Robertson of Weiser has
been sounding the alarm for years
in Idaho and telling its people that
the time would come when they would
cry out under their tax burden.
The reply to Mr.. Robertson's warn
| ing was two-million dollar good
roads bond issue, the laying of spe-
cial tax for highway purposes, the
building on of two wings to the state
capitol a broad expansion of the uni
versity extension.
In the counties new expenditures
for number of things have been an
swers TO Mr.. Robertson's warning.
We now have a county agent, coun-
ty nurse, increased expenditures for
the enforcement of the prohibition
law. This without the moneys that
have been raised to match federal
and state expenditures for good roads
and contemplated highway improve
ments.
In the Standpoint school district it
has meant the establishment of a do
nestle science department, first with
one teacher, now with two teachers;
the establishment of manual train
ing school, at first with one teacher.
now with two teachers. 1t will mean
soon an increase to take care of the
construction of a high school build
ing. Teachers commanded higher
wages during the war and these sal
aries have not receded with the
change of conditions following the
war. What has been true in Bonner
county has been more than true in
some other counties in Idaho and
many of its city school districts are
broke and some of its counties badly
bent.
The problem confronting state,
counties and school districts is a real
problem. Unfortunately much of it is
a problem of yesterday. There are
some things that can be done, bur
they are infinitesimal as compared
with what has been done IN the mat
ter of public expenditures. We can
not rescind bond issues; We cannot
iestroy values already created but
which the future has to pay for; no
politician has yet come forward with
| platform advocating a decrease in
he birthrate in school districts
where the birthrate has no considera-
ion for the assessed valuation; we
re to ride on the north and south
Highway and forget in contemplation
4 the scenery the cost of the view !
We are to admire the mausoIeum of |
ollow marble at Boise without too
lreh scrutiny of the tax bill; we are
D ride forsooth from Occur d'AIene
Spokane on paved highway which
nil smooth away any rising inter-
ogatories as to how and why.
Mr.. Robertson was on, earth early
nough. But Mr.. Robertson now is
DO late.
There are some things. too,
think about ION the other
de-" Shall the farmers get
long without farm agents ana the
rm bureau, when the country has
'und that through them the farmer
arms 10 better care for himself?
nan We get along without the e0un-
. nurse, whose mission is 10 the POOR
M unfortunate as well as 20 protect
Pc public from the spread Of dlsease2
pan children De allowed a. tender
ses 20 run the streets both day ana
an % spread contamination apd
seese VIII no parental authority 10
op them and WIN 10 other authority
Dnns them " timer chan ths roads
; pnpplii ana uncared for Hhen
liif Hqw much would your auto
oplle he 8orth ~ you " fhe, eid9
"opia the mothers 'ew Qpi' a.
aslie feisnes npw thf scbQQlf ppa
inef WFpppi mining hnsN wv
'ebflf ~ bsek NJ pif psg elpNa
49, hhap eu ehilalep Dayf ~