The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1922-07-14
MERE CAN We
RETRENCH? i?
q 4 the Burning Question Con.
k.ullue the Taxpayer Of'County
and State.

~ table OF 1lgureS puDllSneu DeioW
- how the taxes raised by Okla
~, county are distributed among
~ various funds created to absorb
4 4, noney collected through that in
.sv,uentality. This tabulation was
- BY c. w. Clauson, director Of
Z. utate department of municipal
sssnorations. and appeared in a recent
- of the Spokane Spokesman-Re-
uev.
ne first table is summary OF
IN tx rolls in Okanogan county; in
~ second table will be found the
\ hrde in which $1S0,547 apportioned
! he state is distributed.
fhe third table segregates by insti-
iuliops OkanOgan county tax money
alnr for higher education, county
Isyiss, roads, education within the
sunty. The final table summarizes
u entire expenditure.
This table is published for the in
bfmation Of the taxpayer and the
rhlic generally. 1t is official and
shows where every dollar raised by
6Ses goes. 1t Is a study in figures that
vrll be.interesting to mill over, espec-
INV In the face of the constant howl
Wer excessive taxation, without a
olngle suggestion as to where re-
ronchment should take place, or
~ offered to reduce the burden. 1t
hnken for granted that the same per-
eoolase OF distribution of moneys
onong the several funds prevails in
~ counties of the state, in which
~ oach and every county is bled
uiils for two items alone, and that is
nd ard education.
: The amount of taxes levied in this
county. as seen by the total given in
the abulated statement, is the enor-
ness figures of $6S2,256.50 OF that
IN Ss6O.17S.1S is applied to educa-
~, and $137,49l.43 to roads, distrib-
~ II the state, county and district
oFieg. That is 1894 per cent, almost
lh3e-fourths, of the total taxes levied.
ltolon1e, S7.06 per cent. is distrib-
~ between cities and towns, state
DdnsEal fund, state military fund, cap
kd building, state reclamation, veter-
~ compensation, county current ex-
|enses and INDECENT soldiers.
q these various funds most Of them
~ 80 small that any cut would be
|qulvalent to elimination, and the
noney ID applied to purposes that
neet the approval of all taxpayers.
\ that 27.06 per cent the only re-
renchment possible would be in the
tAte general fund, which is only 4.07
er cent Of the total expenditures, and
y county current expense, which is
I'll per cent Of the expenditures.
Win the closest pairing no great
mount can be saved on these two
ems, apd-in the matter of the county
urrent expenses it is understood that
nr ~ this county is concerned the
are not only insisting
pon retrenchment in the several Of
lces but are getting results.
That leaves two items to work upon
me matter of reduction of expenses
% consequently reduction of taxa
ou, education and roads. The man
no demands reduction of educa-
onal expenses is looked upon as
aflal He Is vicious enemy of the
0uth Of the district, county and state.
~ suggestion of economy in the
'anagement of the higher educational
hututions OF the state, the intermed-
We institutions or the grade schools
met with vehement protest. And yet
seems that much extravaganza pre-
Ms IN our educational system. Our =
nlversity and college are extremely
1stly adjuncts of the state, and in
aultion this state is supporting four
0fmM schools when it would seem
~ two would answer every purpose.
mere are expensive departments to
y nigh schools that did not exist
years ago, and it is a doubtful ques-
'n Il the beneficial results from those
Justify the cost, or are
aytning compared to the cost. We
we never favored cutting wages, and
'nce the only way or retrenching in
'slatlng the connecting link between
lAue schools and the college is by
'ninating the nonessentials, and this
'uia be done without disadvantage
'ne pupil and very much to the
uuction OF operating the school. No
auer what suggestions may be made
VAmg toward the reduction Of the
- OF education, both in the high
'Auois and the higher educational
''u"utlons OF the state, that sugges-
" VIII be met with vigorous opposi-
~ even from those who are crying
= me loudest against burdensome
'asnon and demanding retrenchment
.uout suggesting where the pruning
a..e is'to be applied.
me other item that calls for the
of large sums Of money
ue building and maintenance OF
! as' which represents 2015 per cent
'.e total expenditures of taxes rails.
]. mere Is more delicate ground to
~ IN the search for retrenchment,
- ~ from experience Of past years
~ Deen conspicuous to residents
u's county that there has been
''o waste In the direct expenditure
.osu moneys than in any other de-
=. .uent OF the state. county and dis
- government. People clamor for
- roads and the authorities, heed
concluded on page ~