Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1922-10-18

SSSSSSSS
GOVERNOR J.. a. o. PREUs.
Montevideo. Minn.-"Tax reduction"
will be the battle cry OF the republt
can party In the Minnesota campaign.
Governor J. A. o. Preus, in his key
note speech here. called attention to
the fact that last year and this year,
for the first time In Minnesota's his,
tory, the people have been relieved
of direct tax for maintaining the
state government, but said that such
action is only the beginning Of q state,
wide program tor general tax reduc
ton. -. N.~:.. r -. 49,
Due to the pHblic's demand for bet,
ter roads, schools, public buildings.
and better everything" the governor
stated, tax rates have almost reached
the breaking point" He called for q
united program of economy extending
from the school district, township
village, town, and city to the state
government ITSELF
Governor Preus said in part:
Last year, for the first time In the
history Of the State of Minnesota, the
people were relieved Of direct tax
upon them for maintaining the govern.
ment of the state. including all activi-
ties under the state officials elected
by you, as we'll as all appointive off.
GERS named by the governor. -
1.-THE entire cost Of state govern
ment and state institutions was
paid for out of taxes collected as
from corporations such as the
gross earnings tax on railroads
and other public service corpora
tions and departmental fees. '.
"This year, for the second time
in the history Of the state, the peo-
pie will pay no direct tax for the
maintenance Of the state govern
ment, and this Is largely due to
the fact that the occupation tax
upon the business Of mining iron
ore was placed upon the statute
books" =
Mr. Preus stated that this achieve
ment was in line with the republican
state platform. which pledges the
party to "the greatest retrenchment
possible in state expenditures"
So important does he consider the
need for lower taxes. Governor Preus
added, that he decided to contlne his
opening speech to this topic alone,
leaving other subjects to future ad.
dresses. 80. y -
Causes of advanced taxes in recent
years were outlined by the governor
as follows ~2t ~
High price Of labor and eommo-
dities.
Expansion Of governmental func-
tons. -.. IT,.
Public demand for better public
service, better educational facIti-
ties, better public buildings, better
health and sanitation regulations,
better roads, "better everything"
Salaries represent a very small
percentage Of the total public ex-
penses," the governor said. If they
were entirely wiped out the reduction
in taxes would be so small as to be
scarcely noticeable. Of the total gen
eral property taxes levied in 1921,
amounting to S108,019,763, only $685.
451 was levied for purely state pur-
poses, and of tie latter amount ST.
634,832 was levied for soldiers bonuses
Education Costs Advance.
The governor pointed out tax levies
for educational purposes in Minnesota
in 1921 amounted to s42,569,23S, rep.
resenting nearly 1914 cents of each
dollar paid or to be paid in taxes this
year. In 1911, he said, the cost per
pupil was $27.72, and in 1921, $82.26.
Much may be said in justification
Of increased educational COSTS" he
added. "The days OF the little red
school house. have gone Just as the
days Of the OK cart and the sickle.
Under the improved living conditions
of today, the unsanttaTy school build
Ing Of a generation ego, would not be
tolerated now. Improved school build
1ngs which we now demand and en-.
JOY are a considerable factor in the
growth of school taxes. 5
Another factor in growing school
costs is the increase ID the salaries
Of teachers "a cheap teacher Is a
poor Investment. just as q cheap man
on the farm or In the factory Is almost
sure to be an expensive one IN the
end. 3:s
Economy in school expenditures
should be rigidly applied II growing
school costs are to be halted. Let Us
have good school bull dinga with M.
to-date equipment. and -let 40 pay al.
aries that are sufficiently high to 81.
tract ana retain competent teachers.
BUT IT WE ARE INDUCING IN