Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-05-03
WILLIMANTIC

cut. he said. In 1912 the state spent six
and one-third millions ANNUALLY and N
1921 spent nineteen and one-third nll- /
lions. an increase of over 800 per cent.
In other words from Connecticut's first /
existence until 1912 the state had only |
gotten TO a point where it took less than |
seven millions year to pay expenses, /
but in the last nine years the state had |
piled up expenses over thrice as great. |
How has this come about? When COM
munities were first settled there was no |
connection between towns. hence little
call for state roads and bridges. The |
insane asylums were not run as today,
no such spirited actions as the widows
relief bills child welfare bills, had been
passed. No state institutions had been
furnished for imbeciles or had been
started These oil take money and II
the Citizens want such good public
measure continued they must continue
/ to pay taxes for the same.
Taking up taxation in Windham, Com
missioner BIodgett said that 1859 per
cent of the taxes raised was from real
estate, 81 plus from personal property
and only 23-10e of l per cent. from
| tangible property. This was not a fair
adjustment and tangible property should
be assessed at much higher rate. The
/ tax on real estate is the greatest bur-
| den the average man npw carries.
Everyone hopes 70 own a home some .
| day, But taxes have risen to such
| point that many cannot afford to do
| this. The tax on personal property of
! merchants automobiles. and manufac-
turers shows that Windham is getting
I a fair return. The inheritance tax shows
that although only 80 per cent. of in
| herited goods is in real estate, 1t car
ries S2.49 per cent Of the tax.
Since 1915 the tax of Windham has
gown from eighty eight millions plus to
over one hundred and sixty millions plus
and the Willimantic tax rate has gone
from sixty-one millions Plus to one hun
bred and sixteen millions plus. Cities
| however. are not alone in feeling the
burden, as many a farm has gone on the
market bacause the taxes are more than
the profits derived from the farm. What
every town needs is a fair tax on real
estate. but put the burden on some other
property. Our tax system in voge to-
day were wrawn up to great extent
many years ago by pioneers in the tax
game and business changes have brought
about the need of revision of taxes for
a fairer distribution of the tax bur
den.
Several questions relative to the per
capita tax Of the state and relative to
a state income tax were asked Com
missioner Blodgett stated that this kind
of a tax was a good thing and would
mean that town taxes to the state would
! probably be returned. In Windham the
admittance tax since beginning has
brought a return sufficient that Wind
ham need paw no county tax. Taken
! IN INi1Ibaro
ter adjusted than in many other towns,
but there is still a chance for a better
distribution of taxes on the party bet
ter able to pay, thus letting up on the
real estate owner.
Governor Lake and Commissioner
BlodEett were given a rising vote of
thanks for their addresses. During the
evening the electric lights in the build
ing went out several times, remaining
out the greater part Of the time dur
ing the talk Of Governor Lake.
The weekly meeting of the whitman
tic Rotary club held Tuesday was attend
cd by over s. per cent. of its membership
visitors including Sidney Alling Of thu
New London Rotary club, and A. Newton
Vaughn, and John Lynch of Putnam, ant
Rev Harry S. MeCready of this city.
Mr.. Vaughn spoke briefly about gol
p
that WiIlimantic was to enter the fielt
with golf and country club of its own.
The resignation of Albert w. French a,
an active member of the club was accept
ed with regrets. Frank H. Foss ant
Charles w. Hill were appointed a commit
tee to take up with International Rotary
the question of his being eligible to hole
an associate members classification.
Harry w. Standish. chairman Of the en-
tertainment committee, announced thai
names would be drawn for brief life
| sketches by the members. Maurice S
Leonard was chosen to speak OF the mex
, weekly meeting and Fred D. Jordan was
picked to make a presentation speech
following Mr.. Leonard's talk.
James B. Fullerton read a communioa.
ton from State Highway Commissions
| c. J. Bennett received in response to g
letter sent out by Augustus Green, Of the
civic committee. Commissioner Bennett
said that arrangements were being made
to place a light on the Nfllimantic anG
Norwich highway, at the corner near the
railroad station at South Windham
Reports of the redistricting of New
England were read and it was the con.
snesus Of opinion that the redistrictina
had been poorly made and did not make
matters better for club. 1t was suggested
that Secretary Hill in a letter propose
that the districts be made by having a line
drawn east and west through Massachu-
sets, clubs to tie north being in one dis
trict ard those to the south in the other
! thus bringing the clubs nearer together
for conventions.
AS all Rotary clubs are liable to lose
their membership in Rotary if they fai
to send a delegate to the internationa
convention at least every two years