The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-11-23
THE TAX QUESTION OF TO-DAY.


But few weeks ago large ant
enthusiastic meetings were being hello
throughout the country by taxpayers
who were urging reduction in taxes
The tax question was the big issue
in the recent campaign in many states
especial in the west. Over in Wash
ington, especially, the taxpayers as
sociations were busy in the interest
of lower taxes, numerous mass meet
ings being held. The consistency OF
human nature now shows up, however
in public meetings asking for appro-
priations from the next legislature.
Such a meeting was held the other
day at Kelso, Washington, and is re-
ported as having been large and en-
thusiastic" The meeting was called
to consider how big appropriation
might be secured to build road from
the town to the sea shore. From now
until the legislature meets there will
probably be many such meetings, but
during that period there will be no
more tax reduction meetings. That is
a, thing of the past. The taxpayer
will be forgotten during the next few
months In fact, the taxpayer him
self will be busy urging appropria-
lions for this and that and the other
thing. In most cases the money will
be spent for things that are of real
benefit, such as education, road main
tenance, ETC., and the taxpayer will
get his moneys worth. The fact re-
mains, however, that there is more
consistency in the prediction talk
about reducing taxes than there is IN
lots of other things.
IA IA -
Over in Russia, according to press
dispatches, graft and trickery among
public officials and employees is pun
ished by death. There are probably
those in the United States who are
glad that this country has not adopted
means so harsh for taking care of it's
grafters.
Another terrible mine disaster has
been added to the list of the past few |
months in America, and may result |
in the loss of hundreds of lives. 1t
would seem that some method might
be devised which would protect the
lives of the thousands of men who are
forced to work underground in Ameri-
can mines If such is possible ex-
pense should not be considered.
- "a -
STARTING AND FINISHING.
The Occur d'Alene Press complains
that the chamber of commerce OF that
city has a habit of starting things and
not finishing them. In other words, ;
the members will give a favorable vote !
on any subject that is brought up and
then away and promptly forget it, or,
if they don't forget it, disagree on
how the project shall be handled. This
is a weakness which most commercial {
have and which weakens {
very materially their usefulness Z
even in the Moscow chamber of COM
nerce, while there is seldom dis
as to method and leader
,hip. after a proposition is taken up, Fl
here is sometimes tendency towards r
and matters frequently e
Irag until the time for action is past. e
n all kinds of public work and in
practically all communities, there is
he willingness to let the other EEL III
ow do it, and as result 1t is not In
II ho z
sserts that this is true in Coeur n
,Alene, and also asserts that leader S
hip in the community is badly Isl
eeded, in order that some very neces- "
airy things might be accomplished.
here are very few communities but s
hat would benefit materially through III
nited work and prompt action in pub M
c affairs A proposition for the good S[
community can almost always be 81
ut across in a public meeting, but w
hen it comes to getting the work lI[
,ne promptly and efficiently, it is not Ur
willing, although all my think that M
ey have the interests of their COM 61l
unity at heart. 40
~ "a "a Sh
IDAHO NEEDS FORESTRY LAW. 86
Last summer over 1000 acres of tim Us
red and cut-over land were devas- tJG
..h;., .,oh+ of N
ted by forest fires within sight OF hTE
: city of Standpoint without any III
rs interference to check the flames. RRn1
NE people wondered why either the Sl
est service or the fire association sin
-, e,, rho f.o+ is fUG
not stop the Ire Inc iac1 10 an
t the burned area was miles away 81