Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-12-01
REDUCING TAXES

AAG
With the Republicans and Democrats vying with each other
in an effort to reduce taxes, something ought to be accomplished
in that direction. Former Governor Stokes, in his letter to As
semblyman Evans, of Passaic, the Republican candidate for speak
er of the House, suggests legislation to compel municipalities to
reduce. Figures are presented to show how public expenses have
jumped in recent years.
But former Governor Stokes is not the first to advocate a
reduction in the tax rate. This was one of the main issues of
Governor-elect Silzer in his primary campaign and he would have
made it the main issue in the election If the Democratic leaders had
not insisted on concentrating on the liquor question. There is no
doubt that the governoreect has ideas of his own in the matter
Of taxation and he will present them in his inaugural address
when the legislature opens.
But taxation. especially municipal taxation, is going to be
something hard to regulate by legislation. There already have
been attempts in that direction and while some good has resulted,
public expenses have been mounting higher and higher year after
year. It is apparent that this is an economic problem that cannot
be regulated altogether by law.
The first requisite is the strictest kind of economy. Those in
authority can put this into practice without further legislation
If the legislature will set the example by abohshng all the sine
cures at Trenton, eliminating the waste that is so apparent in all
departments and show a real desire to handle the taxpayers
money in a business like way much could be accomplished.
In every municipality this same kind of economy could be
practiced. There are few city governments that are not honey
combedw viii useless employees and wasteful practices that, IT abo-
isbed. would not go a long way toward reducing taxes. Every mu-
nicipality in the state has them; they are well known, and II IS
equally well known that they are one OF the causes OF nigh taxes.
But because party workers have to be ''cared for' these things
are allowed to exist. The eyes of the officials are shut to them
and there is an attempt to beat around the bush by having the
legislature add more laws to the already overloaded statutes.
In the meantime, there are certain things that must be done
if a municipality is not to die of stagnation. It is well known that
the cost of everything is far greater since the war than it was be-
fore. Not only do things cost more, but the demand for improve
ments is greater. There are more and more miles OF paved streets
to be maintained and kept clean; there are more school houses TO
be erected which means the employment OF more teachers and the
teachers must be paid in proportion to the increased costs, too.
There is the police department for which the taxpayers, by an over
whelming majority, have just voted an increase in salaries adding
at least five points to the tax rate. Then the fire department., the
water department, and every branch of the municipal government
is becoming more expensive to MAINTAIN each year.
1t is the elimination of waste and extravaganza, not a cur
tailment of improvements, that is wanted, but when an official Is
found who will do this, what reward does he receive? We have
lust had a striking example of such a situation in New York state.
When Governor Miller was elected one Of the first things he did
was to clean house at Albany. He ''fired" right and left sparlng
neither Republicans nor Democrats. The political leaders pleaded
in vain. The governor was obdurate. The sinecures had to CO.
In one year he saved the state of New York over 100000 with
ont holding I'D any improvements whatever.
What was the RESULT When he came up for a public en-
dorsement at the polls he was overwhelmingly defeated. Surely
this is not very encouraging for other men elected to office to fol-
low Governor Mllers example.
However to cut out the waste, abolish the Sinecures and give
me people a real businesslike administration is the one best way
"a bring about the desired economies so as to reduce taxes with
ont standing il the way of progress. We recommend such con-
alteration to both former Governor Stokes, the leader OF the Re-
r,blicans. and to Governor elect Silzer as a part of their program
for the coming year.