The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-07-01
SATURDAY, JULY /, 1922
PROCTOR VS.. FOOTE

Both candidates for the Republican
nomination for governor of Vermont APP
parently made serious effort TO answer
the questions propOunded by the League
of Women Voters, and the result is
distinct contribution to the campaign
for which the woman's organization is
entitled to sincere thanks. 1t was a
worthwhile thing to do.
While it may be said in a general way
that the replies of Messrs. Proctor and
Foote developed no sharply drawn is
sues, study of the two sets of answers
seems to Indicate a considerable differ
ence in the attitude of the men who
made them. The Reformer does not in
tend to be prejudiced. yet it cannot help
feeling that Mr.. FoOte gave more thought
TO the political effect of at least a por-
tiOn of his answers than he did to the
actual questions themselves. In not a
few instances he appears to have made
a determined effort to avoid getting off
the fence"
In his reply to the question: do you
favor the direct state tax or indirect
methods of raising state funds (Which
calls for an expression of preference
Mr.. Foote states his belief that Yer
mont can raise its revenue without a di-
rect tax ''if properly managed" This
opinion not only has very little to war
rant its expression, but fails entirely to
put the maker on record. Where is the
serious student of state finances who be-
lieves that direct tax can be obviated
without an overturn of our whole method
of revenue raising?
As to the policies of the education de-
partment Mr. Foote believes they can
safely be left to the state board of edu-
cation and the legislature. His attitude
on an appropriation for eradication of
bovine tuberculosis is that the amount
should be left to the legislature. Admit
ting that the law-making body has the
power to determine these matters, Mr.
Foote'S answers leave much to be de-
sired in that they fail to express any
definite views on two extremely impor
tant issues. What the average voter
would like to know is whether Mr..
Foote, if elected governor, would use his
influence in behalf of a reduction in the
cOSL OF THESE Two dtliNlIleS, VI Simply.
pass the buck as he has done up to
date. 1t isn't difficult to imagine what
would happen if the enthusiasts of the
education department were allowed to
set the amount to be spent on education
and similar policy were followed in
the case of all other departments, al
though the result is not pleasant to con-
template.
Mr.. Proctor on the other hand, APP
pears to have made sincere effort to
answer all the questions as directly as
possible without thought of the political
effect On the taxation question he APP
proves a combination of the direct and
indirect method and frankly admits that
no reduction can be expected until appro
priations are curtailed by legislative ac-
ton. On education, he does not hesi-
| tate to express the belief that the over
head might be cut down by reducing the
quantity and improving the quality of
superintendent. Likewise on the sub
/ ject of bovine tuberculosis he is reason
/ ably explicit, favoring a reduction in
the total appropriation and the enact
ment of some sort of restrictive legisla-
ton that would prevent indefinite ex-
penditure in this direction.
Taking the replies as whole, The
/ Reformer believes they place Mr.. Proc