The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-01-30
SPRINGFIELD
PAPER ON THE
BRALEY PLAN
Windsor County COntem-
porary Takes Up
Cudgel

After replinting in full the ad.
dress of Judge Frank Barber OF
Brattleboro before the Albruriar
Club of Springfield the Reporter
comments editoTially upon judge
Barber's plan and Charles G
Braley's plan as follows:
A reversal Of the usual method
of making appropriations by the
legislature and providing first fol-
the necessary expenses of the gov
eminent and then dividing what
more the state ia able to raise
among the various worthy objects
which require support The method
heretofore pursued has been more
according to the economic ideas
of the man who appropriates out
of his wages a generous allowance
for the pictures and the circus be-
fore he starts in to buy food for
the family. An executive budget
bill is also favored bv Judge Bar
Der in a scheme 20 curb state ex-
travagance, and along the same
line other sneakers are talking to
Vermont audiences, notably ex-
Gov. C. w. Gates
A communication from the off
ice of the ST. lJohnsbury town
clerk and treasurer proposes to
have this mounting direct tax
brought to the attention of the
March. meetings in the form of a
resolution.
If the resolution is voted a cert
flied cow of it should be mailed
to all representatives and senators
elect at a date not later than Dec.
20, 1922, that they may prepare
to govern themselves accordinolv.
Charles G.. Bralev st. Johns
bury's clerk and treasurer, claims
that all our industries BIZ and
little, our farming interests, and in
fact all of our wealth-producing
activities feel the blight of the ex-
ccssve direct state taxes which
have been levied since 1913. He
W ould now organize nublic oNinion
in such a wav that it may become
a compelling force in the reduction
of state expenditures, and to that
end would have the above resoiu
ton inserted in the call for the
next annual meeting of every town
in the commonwealth. To stress
his point he asks
How long can the thousands of
small industries afford to pay
these taxes? Being at some dls-
tancc from the big cities from
which most of our raw material
comes, and to which the finished
product is sent, and freight rates
higher than for many wears, we
should at least offer every leg
itimate enterprise reasonable tax
rate. This we cannot do with 40
per cent direct state taxes. Such
taxes as these compel communities
to defer indefinitely proposed local
improvements, calling for the ex-
penditure of any considerable
of money; they intimidate
capitol and offer a premium on
out of the state surplus
funds to invest in taX-eXempt sec
and tends to reduce onr
personal property list for taxable
purposes, laying a Greater burden
on real estate and exposed 'or-
sonal property.
Beginning in 1913 and up to Jan
uary 1st of this year, the state Of
Vermont has laid 155 cents on the
dollar of your grand list as direct
statetaxes. 1t has raised by TINS
method since 1913 over $4,000,000,
and this in excess of our regular
state highway ard state school
taxes.
Four million dollars and the end
is not yet. This year we are assess
ed another 40 cents on the dollar,
which will amount to over $1,000,
900, or the equivalent of about
So from every man, woman and
child living within the borders of
our little state. This for the year
Of 1922.
Are we not runnin wild? Is it
not about time to shift into low
gear? What has your town thus
paid to the state in the last nine
years? st. Johnsbury has paid, in
this time, $110,813.65. You have
paid a proportional amount.
In 1920, Springfield laid a di-