Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1922-11-03

statement in the letter of your vice-chairman?
(1O) The records of the State Tax Commission
also show that practically all this great burden of
increased taxation imposed upon farm lands
and other private property as against the property
of the public utility corporations For example: in
Yuma county the public utility corporations were
assessed at ST 966,75O in 1916 and at ST. O29, l4O
in 1921. An increase of only So, 800. Whereas.
other property, farms, etc. assessed at $lO,-
1923, 1867 in 1916, and at $26 469,6 in 1921. An
increase of the hugh sum of $l6,445,838. Have
you got the nerve, Mr. Griffith, to tell the people
that the Republican party, you yourself stated
in 1914, is the party of special privilege in Colo-
rado, drawing its campaign sustenance from the
great corporate and public utility interests of this
state, had nothing to do with the shifting Of this
enormous burden of increased taxes almost entirely
onto the farmers and private property owners
OD You say that the farmers Of the state are
in bad way and need help. Do you not know that
they have been in the same bad fix for the past two
years and that the Shoup administration, which
you endorse did nothing for them except to greatly
increase their taxes?
(l2) You are running on platform which
endorses the present National Republican admin
istration, and particularly the Fordeny tariff law.
which is the highest tariff ever enacted. Will you
please tell the people how this tariff benefits the
farmer. and why it is that the purchasing power Of
Department of Agriculture. was. on October lst.
3O. per cent below the ten year average?
(3) We also call your attention to the fact
that the of steel mill products manufactur-
ers of farm implements has increased since 1914
follows: Bar steel, $23 to $24 per ton in 1914:
$33 to $35 per ton in 1921, and $40 per ton in
September. 1922. Pig iron $l4 per ton in 1914;
$27 to $28 per ton in 1921; and $32 per ton in
September 1922. Malables, $40 per ton in 1914:
$l40 to $50 per ton in 92l; and $40 per ton in
September 1922. Now, Mr.. Griffith. with full
knowledge of the fact that this Republican tariff
together with the Republican foreign policy of
isolation has reduced the farmer purchasing pow
er nearly one-third below the ten year average and
has than doubled the cost of the steel mill pro-
ducts out of which his machinery must be manu-
factured. is your obligation to Mr. Phipps, the
Pittsburg steel magnate. such that you must con-
tnue to stultfy yourself before the people by tell
ing them they may reasonably expect the Republi-
can party, in either the state or nation to bring
relief to the farmersa
U4) You are running on platform which en-.
dorses the National Republican administration.
Recent press reports from Washington announce
that government deficit of early ST 900, 100000
in the next fiscal year confronts that administra-
ton. The same press report also states: There is
no thought of urging any increase in the present
scale of income taxes. In view of these facts what
have you to say to the people in justification of the
reduction made by the present Republican Con.
eress from 81 per cent to 50 per cent in the tax
excessively large incomes2
These fourteen points" make it very. very
clear why Mr.. Griffith steadfastly refuses to meet
Mr.. Sweet in joint debate. They also demonstrate
beyond question that. If patriotism guided by logic
and reason rather than by blind prejudice and
partisanism is to govern the political action of the