The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-01-17
NEW SOURCES
OF TAXATION
ARE PROPOSED
Budget Board Says This Is
Problem of Legislature
Rather Than Economy
CUT NEW BUILDINGS
Few Salary Increases Also
Included, Board Says in
Report to SOlOns

After going over the states
budget for the next two years
the budget board made sugges-
tions and comments including
the following:
Practically no money for sal
airy increases or new buildings
was recommended.
The department and institu-
ton requests were reasonable
but the board felt it must con-
slder economic conditions and
tle cry for lower taxes.
The State training school at
Mandan has had 200 percent in
crease in the last two years
the penitentiary over 80 percent.
Increases in the higher educa-
tional institutions were phenOm
inal IN the last year the Agricul-
tural college leading with 50 per
cent.
New sources of revenue must
be found to take the burden off
real property. While economic
conditions are admittedly bad
I'VE do not believe that North
Dakota is so poverty stricken
that she must deny any child
the right to good education.
Internal revenue office records
at Fargo show that in 1922 more
than $5,000,OO0 were spent in the
state for tobacco and cigars:
more than 100000 for candy;
more than $2,OOO,OOO for shows;
nearly $1,O0O,OO0 for soft drinks
and more than 100000 for cos
metics.
The question as to how much the
direct appropriations for the two
year period l923-25 shall be IS now
in the hands of the North Dakota
legislature. The appropriations are
for state departments, institutions
and miscellaneous items.
The budget board cut nearly four
million dollars from the requests
of the departments and institutions;
brought the budget down to $4,000
less than it was for the present two
year period ending June 80 and told
initial which will accompany the
budget:
Great care should be exercised in
making any further reductions, as
the amounts recommended constl-
tute, in our opinion, the minimum
necessary for proper maintenance of
each department or institution"
Tho laffar &C fol Jno, ,,nk
warn against increases if the legIs-
lators should care to make any, over
the boards recommendation.
Both budget and letter of trans
initial will go to the legislature
soon.
The various departments and in
situations requested $11,827,OIS. The
board recommended 1882, 1O1. The
present, appropriations total $7,874,-
283.
There is feeling about the capt.
tol that the board members cut the
budget to the bone because they felt
in duty bound to do so in line with
the administration program of econ
omy, but that they feel that if the
Legislators, wish to increase any ap-
preparations such action will be
proper.
Building Requests Cut
Neither salary increases or new
buildings have been allowed except
where they were deemed absolutely
Indispensable, says the letter of
transmittal.
After having visited all of the
state penal, educational and charit-
able institutions the board in the
letter makes the significant state
ment that the requests--nearly $4,-
100000 more tnan the recommends
tions-were as whole, reasonable
but that 1--WE have taken heed Of
existing economic conditions and the
cry for reduced taxation"
1T must be admitted" adds the
letter nevertheless, that our recon-
mendations leave but little room for
expansion"
The letter then calls attention to
the growth Of enrolment at most of
the higher educational institutions,
This would be counted remarkable
even in ordinary times but is phe-
nomenal in the light of present con-
dit.ons, it declares. 1t cites the North
Dakota Agricultural College at
Fargo with an increase of So percent
IN enrolment over last year; the
State Teachers College with 80 per-
cent and the University with 26 per-
cent.
The board recommends that some
other state official beside the at
tcrney be appointed a member of
the board because of that officials
lack of time.
That institutions maintained Who'll
ly or in part from charges against
the counties from which its patients
come, be compelled to pay back to
the state all deficit appropriations.
The same for institutions supported
wholly or in part by interest or in
come from state lands.
That ex-senator w. ]. Church of
Benson county be retained to assist
the appropriations committee with
his experience and knowledge Of the
budget.
Letter Of BOARD
"The penal and charitable institu-
tions have also had large increase in.
population during the last two years.
the State Training School showing
an increase Of over 200 percent and
the State Penitentiary over 80 per-
cent. It is known fact that there
are over two hundred childre in tne
State who ShoailA he c0mynitt.eA -