Arizona republican., 1922-02-16

be jeopardized? The same opposition
would be encountered from other in
terests. Is the state of Arizona Of to-
day no better than the Arizona of
1915. Since that year we have spent
much money state. county and CITY
for public improvements to develop
our resources and make the state a
more attractive place in which Ia live
and spot attractive to Investors and
capital. In 1915 the bond interest and
redemption charges paid from county
taxes We're 1921, 1888. In 1919 the
same charges were $3.50, ,S5332.
mounting to $1,205, ,390.45 in 1921.
The net increase in six years was
$9l4.2S5.61. And this annual county
charge OF over a million dollars
springs from the expressed desire of
the people for good roads within
their own territorial limits and their
willingness to be taxed for them. The
aggregate amounts Of all taxes. state.
county, city, special school and other
district taxes ranged from $3.50, ,302. .9S
in 1913 to $17.431, $685. in 1921. In
creased charges and bond redemption
funds in connection with public
buildings and projects; increased
funds for highway purposes: for
common schools; for high schools,
for the higher educational institu-
tions, account for the main portion
of the increase in taxes from the
$5,560, ,S02.9S in 1913 to $17,431, $685.
in 1921. Eliminate all the above fac
tors of progress and taxes can be ma
teriaily reduced, as into them go the
dollars denominated as taxes.
No man realizes more deeply than
do that a period of economic de-
preston is upon us. Following the
war came the rehabilitation of indus
try which had been concentrated on
only one object and building opera
t1ons which had been suspended were
resumed with more than their former
vigor Employment was abundant
and good times logically ensued. Our
period Of real adjustment came about
year ago. Combined with stagna-
ton Of business, our industries were
adversely affected, and the backbone
of our prosperity--c cotton and
ivestock-becane badly bent and ap-
parently in danger OF being broken.
IL was then when the first clouds ap-
peared on the horizon. betokening
the gathering of a financial storm,
that initial steps We're taken by me to
prepare against the time of stress
coming upon US. Economy was
urged upon the various departments
in the conduct of their affairs and it
is source of qualification that the
response was immediate and with
manifest willingness to cooperate.
Shortly afterwards the taxpayers as
sociation voiced a request for a spe-
cial session to consider and revise
appropriations. My reply, in effect.
was that the savings that body rec
commended and more could be effect
ed without the expense of a special
session. No Immediate benefit, L
afterwards found, through consulta
ton with eminent legal counsel,
would accrue to the taxpayers for the
reason that the state board of equal
zation is required by law to levy for
the full amount of the appropriations
made by the legislature. As a fac
tor in my decision to call this special
session was the indirect influence for
economy which would be brought 10
bear on the other political subdivi-
sions Of the state.
Savings which can be made for the
biennium which covers the appro-
priations made by your honorable
body, IL given force and effect by
legislative action. amount TO $685.
236. BY fiscal years. departments.
officers and institutions, there are as
follows:
(The first column Of figures show
the saving for 1922. The second
column shows the reduction over the
1922 appropriation)