The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-09-27

public Office.
Governor Silzer points nut that DR.
McBride's practice of his profession
and service on the Paterson Board Of
Health fit him in an exceptional man
ner for duties as commissioner of Ia.
Dor.
Boost in Valuation
New Jersey is fast becoming one Of
the most prosperous states in the IN
ION, tax figures made public show
The principal advantage to residents
is that the tax rate viii not have to be
raised, as in view Of the increased
value Of real and personal property
The prevailing levy will yield enough
to meet expenses-and perhaps show
a surplus
Silzer Praises Pinchot
Replying to the suggestion of Gov
ernor Clifford Pinchot Of Pennsylvania
that the governors of anthracite using
states use every possible effort to pre-
vent prohteering on the part Of coal
dealers. Governor Silzer expressed his
pleasure at the success Of the Penn
sylvania executive in bringing the coal
strike to a conclusion. At the same
time, however, the governor again re-
iterates his belief that the coal ques-
ton is primarily Federal problem
and should be dealt with by the ma
tional government
He calls to the attention of the
Pennsylvania executive that the states
of New York, New Jersey, Massachu-
sets, Maine, New Hampshire, Yer
mont, Rhode Island, Connecticut and
Delaware feel that Pennsylvania has
been unneighborly in adding 80 cents
a ton to the mine price Of coal for the
expenses of the Pennsylvania state
government. Governor Silzer cites
the fact that last year the people Of
these anthracite using states paid
nearly $4,000, 900 because Of this ac-
ton by Pennsylvania, and the New
Jersey executive suggests that If
Pennsylvania will remove this tax il
will equalize the 60 cents added to the
cost Of each ton by the strike settle
ment.
Governors Statement
my Dear GOVERNOR have your let
ter Of September 10 and am glad to
know that the coal strike has been
settled and that we are not to suffer
from a coal shortage.
81 am also happy to know that you
are giving the coal question publicity.
Nothing will solve it so quickly as
publicity and public discussion.
1T is unfortunate that all these
strikes and strike settlements end one
way. They always finish by raising
the price of coal and by adding to the
burdens of the consumer. Since the
strike settlement added 60 cents to
the cost of each ton of coal, you are
to be commended for your efforts to
see that this does not reach the con-
sumner. I sincerely hope you will sue
coed. 1t has never happened before
the consumer has always had to pay.
''It is quite clear to everyone that
there must be stop to this continual
increase in the price of coal, and 1t
must be permanent, not temporary.
You have well said it is primarily a
Federal question to be dealt with by
the national government. The Fed
eral Government has the power. II
can find out the facts, and It can apply
the remedy. Why it has not done so I
do not know.
THE national government and the
6 tie of Pennsylvania can prevent this
gouging of the consumer If they viii
act. If you will continue to prod the
rational administration perhaps we
will get results. You cannot be
charged with doing it for partisan pur-
poses.
Pennsylvania has the anthracite
coal, and the national government and
Pennsylvania together can control pro-
dLction, distribution and price. VIII
they do it?
Frankly, too, 1 think there is an
other matter you ought to know about
New York, New Jersey, Massachu.
sets, Maine, New Hampshire, Yer
mont, Rhode Island, Connecticut and
Delaware all feel that Pennsylvania
has not been a good neighbor and that
ii has treated them unjustly. In 1921
Pennsylvania imposed a tax of IL per
cent on coal and openly admitted that
its purpose was TO make the coal con-
sumers of these states pay the run
ming expenses of Pennsylvania.
Tax of so Cents a Ton
"At a price of 50 a ton this tax
would be 1914 cents a ton. But what
cid you do to your neighbors? The
Pennsylvania Fuel Commission ruled
that so cents ton be added to the
mine price on account of the state tax
and expenses incidental
Every time anything is done some
one seizes the opportunity to add
little more. The people Of New York,
New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine,
New Hampshire, Vermont Rhode Is
land, Connecticut and Delaware paid
last year nearly 100000 on account
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