New Britain herald., 1922-07-12
BLODGETT SCORES
 REAL ESTATE TAX
State Commissioner Claims Bur.
 den on Property Owners Too High

New Haven, July l2.-"The towns
 have taxed the paint of the house
 and shingles of the roof until only
 few people want to buy a fern,,"
 said State Tax Commissioner Will
 liam H, Blodgett last night at the
 annual dinner of the schoolmcn of
 the state at the Lawn club
 The insurance companies and big
 financial concerns buy securities
 now; they shun real estate. They
 don't like the ever increasing tax
 burden. The home owner who
 notes the increase in his tax says I
 guess I will rent after this and he
 moves Into the alley. It is to look
 after his wayward children that we appropriate money for child well
 fare. One of the best child welfare
 movements is to lessen the tax on real estate. Everyone of your eighth grade boys thinks some day
 he will own a home-why is 1t he loses this idea later? It is because of the s42.ooo,oo0 local tax revenue of connecticut; practically all of 1t comes from taxes on houses and lands"
 Tax Burden ytyidly Portrayed
 It was straight-from- the shoulder talk that the man respon- sible for the taxation Of Connecticut gave the 90 school superintendents, principals and supervisors who are in session this week in connection with the summer school on the Yale campus. A dozen women were in the company. State School Supt. A. B. Meredith presided. pr. A. w. Edson, formerly associate school superintendent of New York city, spoke on the leadership school superintendents should provide for teachers and the community He is now retired and living in Shrews- bury Mass. c. B. Gentry, of the storrs Agricultural school and in charge of farming education in the public schools, also spoke. Others at the head table were Dr. J. B. Davis, L. T. Garrison, Dr. Allen G. Ireland. Dr. David Gibbs of Meriden, and Dr. J. B. swltzer, head of the Teachers college, North Dakota.
 Commissioner Blodgett said he was himself teacher in Illinois in his early years. He reminded the teachers that money can be raised by taxation for education only on the theory that it makes the youth good citizens, prepared to fight in times of war and to pay taxes in time of peace. Why don't you teach them to do that?" he asked amid applause. after relating incl dents of citizens who try to avoid their tax paying duty.
 Only $2.OOO for Roads in 1895.
 Tn 1902, the aggregate cost of state government was s2,56s,ooo. Last year-2o years later-it was s19,3s2.ooo. In 1895, the state ex- pense of highways was less than s2,- oon. Then came in the automobile. Last year State Highway Commission CT Bennett needed and secured s7,127- 600. On our trunk lines and high ways have been spent between 80 and 40 millions of dollars; yet the automo bilists, with much of their riding for pleasure, object to pay ing for this big privilege. My li- ,ense tax is eight cents day-why should I kicko The recent increase n the motor tax is absolutely just. | Last year the motor vehicle licenses | yielded s2,126,ooo; this year $3,- i09,oo0 The increase from Jan. ! 1 last to June 30 last was s2,2S3,ooo | over last year. Gasoline tax will yield s553,ooo additional. 1nheri- .ances yield this year s2,15S,oo0, a 1900, 900 increase over the previous | year. Our rates are the same as in New York state and individual ac ion in that form of taxation can- not expediently be taken. Admis- ,ions yielded s475,000, unlncorpo- -ated business half a million. Dur ng the year recently concluded | rom all sources Connecticut re- ,eived s20,7o4,o00, an increase of | b3,545.O00 over the previous year The net debt of the state showed decrease of s1,3ss,0o0 and now | stands at s4,s51,o ,oo0. Mir. Blodeett | ,aid these figures are not final, be-