Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-06
Economy v
Only Way
20 Cut Tax
Less Politics, More Business
Must Be Move of
Those Who Seek
Reduction.
Tax Bureau Is Desirable
By PAUL GREER.

The problem of hugh taxation is
Easily Solved-spend less. A more
efficient system OF administering
public ailairs-less politics and
more busiucss-thdt is what people
bent on economy must provide ior
themselves.
To secure the MAXIMUM OF bene-
III at a minimum OF sacrifice is the
popular aim. But TO complain OF
high taxes and III the next breath
advocate an extension OF the iunc-
tions OF the government is not log:-
cal. It's nice to have bands playing
in the parks. but all this comes out
OF the public treasury. This also
IS true OF free dental treatment for
school children. feature quite
widely endorsed.
People want good roads. good
schools, new capitol, food inspec-
ton, disease prevention. sewers.
paving and a thousand and one
things, many OF which the govern
mcnt did not use to supply. These
cannot be obtained by any hocus
pocus. but only out of the pockets
q. the people
Must Collect Less.
The first thing, in order to spend
less, is to collect less. This is be-
cause public officials are human.
and if there are large funds on
hand, will always find a place to
expend them, usually i'll response TO
a demand from some section of the
community.
Hazy promises by political CAM
didates to reduce taxes never have
meant anything. 1t is up to the
citizens to get on the job them
selves, asking less OF their govern.
ment and keeping tight check on
the actions of official expending,
assessing and bondin% boards.
In many counties of Nebraska the
farmers have organized taxpayers
groups. This has not been for agi-
tation, but for consultation and ad-
vice with the men in county and
other offices. Leaks are being
stopped up.
The beginnings of such an asso-
ciation of taxpayers may be seen in
Omaha. If the advice may be offered.
this should be enlarged in scope,
and made more representative
Omaha should have what many
other progressive municipalities
have had ior years, a tax economy
bureau. How this should be financ-
cd is later question, which might
be solved by putting it under the
control and support Of the various
civic clubs of men and women.
Would Collect Suggestions.
The manager of this taxpayers
association would investigate the
methods of other cities. collecting
suggestions for adding more ccon-
omy and efficiency to the govern.
ment. There is now no one place
where a citizen may go and find out
what the government is costing,
how the revenue is raised and how
the figures compare with those OF
the past.
What is needed is something to
hrjng taxpayers problems to focus.
The city manager plan should be
studied from the standpoint OF the
taxpayer, not with the eyes of the
politicians. Omaha needs a purchas-
ing agent, the schools need a busi-
ness manager. there should be fur
tier consolidation of city and county
offices and unbiased scrutiny OF new
bond issues.
One of the wastes that is being cut
down in business is that OF rapid la
hor turnover. 1t has been found that
hiring and firing costs money. The
same fact is true in city government,
and public sentiment should oppose
the system by which even the ele-
vator men are changed when new
administration takes Office The city
engineer. the city physician and
clerks that have grown expert in
their duties are under the current
fTuru IN Pare Ten Column Seyeuo