The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1922-10-13
LOOK THE FACTS IN THE FACE.

Besides being called upon to vote
for candidates for public office every
voter who exercises the franchise On
November 7th will find Oh ais ballots
some initiative measure several ref
erendum measures and the amend.
ments to the constitution that have
been submitted to the electorate of the
state for approval or disapproval. In
order to vote intelligently the voter
should make some effort to familiar
lie himself or herself upon the mat
ters effected by those proposed new
laws. The secretary Of state las sent
out thousands Of copies OF thes. mi
tiative and referendum measures aud
amendments and those pamphlets
should be studied. There is an hon
est difference Of opinion prevailing
among the people of the state as to
the merits of the questions to be de-
cided by the ballot, and there will be
thousands OF voters who will fail 10
express themselves one way Or the
other, although IL people are 20 be
governed by laws OF their own max
ing the laws should be Endorsed by a
majority Of the people and not be al
lowed to be foisted upon the public
by meagre minority who, as a rule,
have an Interior object in proposing
certain changes In the statutes.
One Of the most important measures
That the people are called upon to
endorse or reject is known as ''ini-
tiative measure No. 46" which is IAN
act providing for current state
school fund sufficient to produce $50
for each child OF school age; for the
distribution of state and county school
funds to school districts upon the
equal basis Of attendance and teach
ers employed; and fixing the maxi
mum annual tax levy of school dis
tricts. except for bonded Indebtedness
at IL per cent of the assessed value
Of the taxable property thereof" This
measure has called forth more dis.
cussion than any one or all others
upon which the voter is called upOr
Ito vote. There are strong advocates o.
the measure, and equally as strong
opponents. Even educators are oppos
ed-to the measure, although that elias.
seem to be the chief supporters. Tha
the measure will materially increas
taxation no proponent of the measur,
can deny, and the public at this tim
will shy at any proposition tina
threatens an increase Of taxation. Tn
most comprehensive statement rela
tive to this proposed initiative meas
nre has been issued by the State Fed
Grafton of Taxpayers Associations
land facts and figures are set forth S,
lplainly that any one can understand
what they point to without the neces
sity Of argument against the measure
Tread the circular which follows, di
Igest the contents and then vote a
Iyour conscience dictates:
"In any intelligent discussion o
the proposed 1910 Initiative Measure
of Washington should be taken int
consideration. During the past fiv
Years the tax, bill in the state has in
creased approximately 800 per cent
going from $37 ,466,7S5 in 1916 t
SOS. 206, SO9.98 in 1921, an increase o
$40, 730. 024.S3. In addition to the ia,
levy Of 5000, SO9.9S in 1921, ther,
was collected and expended aproxi
mately $25,00O,0O Of indirect revenu,
collected in fees and licenses by tn
several divisions of government o.
top Of the state, county, municipal an,
district taxes the taxpayers Of tn
State of Washington paid to the Fed
eral government during 1921 abou
$22, 100000 in federal income and ex
cess profit taxes. Another alarming
Feature Of the tax problem is the ire