Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1922-02-17

ters cents of the tax dollar, $500
per quarter. If there is extrava-
gance in the state departments, ]
do not attempt to Justify it, but
whatever are the facts. this state
expense of $3.50 per quarter is not
what is hurting you most, IN the
$264,96 taxes you pay
Now we have considered the whole
loo cents of the tax dollar but where
can we save the SO of them? If by
trimming school expense, marking
time with our roads, introducing the
utmost efficiency and economy in all
branches of state and county gov
eminent, we can save 30 cents of
the tax dollar, it will be truly not
able achievement, and the gains may
be largely offset by the repeal of
the poll tax. and the passage Of the
30-t0 measure
Now let us turn to the other eX-
pedient, the easing of the tax burden
by wider distribution of the tax
load Do many people now escape
taxation wholly or in the greater
part?
painstaking investigation dis
closed the startling fact that in
school district No. 1870, comprising
the town OF Rosalia and about u
sections of land adjacent, 60 per
cent Of the voters either pay no taxes,
pay but nominal taxes, or can pass
on the tax directly to the consumer.
The taxpayer is often charged with
apathy and Indifference. The fact
is his voice is smothered by the
clamor of the majority for expendi-
lures, to which they contribute vir-
tually nothing.
If the so per cent tax free were
required to bear their part of the
tax load, commensurate with their
lions as can be secured by the ut
most efficiency and economy, we
would have solved the tax problem.
Of the tax exempt, the most evas-
i've are the people of means who
cleverly confine their investments to
interest bearing securities that en-
tirely escape taxation in this state.
This class is the best able of all to
pay taxes.
The most practical way to reach
them is by state income tax, and
the prohibition of tax exempt securi-
ties. With a low income tax rate,
and low exemptions, particularly for
single persons without dependents,
large number Of people could be
reached who now escape all taxation.
Such an income tax would also reach
the rapidly growing salaried and
negligible taxes. Then we have the
innumerable class of spenders, the
floating population the improVident
who never become taxpayers. They
absorb their per capita of public ex-
penditures yet pay not cent in
lifetime to their support. They
should pay something. They were
the detectives of the poll tax, but
could be reached better by a small
consumption tax This would be
fairer than the poll tax because it
would be a graduated tax; the indi-
vidual of small means paying but
little; he of larger spending ability
paying proportionately
What is the prospect for the pass
age of laws calculated to shift a part
of the tax burden to the now tax
exempt Frankly, | say to you, ! do
not regard it as very good, but per
haps beginning will be made at the
next session. But when an attempt
is made to saddle the tax exempt
with part of the tax load, they will
shy off, The mere mention of new
tax raises a storm of protest, in
which even some taxpayers join. 1t
is strange that taxpayer cannot see
that a new tax that will bring other
shoulders to the wheel at which he
! is now pushing so hard, will make
the load more easy for him.
! The great obstacle to easier taxes
is the standpat" viewpoint to leave
taxes as they are, and get relief from
less expenditures, when | have shown
you that it is impossible to get suffi-
cient relief that way, because the
voting majority do not feel the taxes
and will not permit of such savings
Then what shall we do about taxes
4 Is the case hopeless? Must we just
/ lie down and wait for dissolution?
Never say die. The situation is seri-
Gus but not without hope. Taxes
now really hurt. The sharpness of
the pain will stir the taxpayer, will
cause him to look into the tax ques-
ton. Educational work should be
carried on in every community by