The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-11-23
J. G.. GundersOn, President of
Taxpayers Association,
Discusses Question
SEES ECONOMY NEED
Consolidated Schools, Com
petition in Building Held
Cause of Increase

and state and national ISSUE.
Education propaganda and compe-
titiop between districts has made
curtailment necessity in many
school districts.
These were some of the statements
emphasized by J. G.. Gunderson Of
Aneta, president of the North Dako-
ia Taxpayers Association, in ad-
dressing the North Dakota Education
Association here this afternoon on
the subject of 'Suggestions for Cur
ing Financial Ills Of Education
Mr.. Gunderson, with others spoke
officers of the education association
He told the teachers eve have re-
Gently passed through an era of
public extravaganza" The demands
Of the people, he said, had led to
new public improvements as well as
commercial experiments.
Eve have tax increase of nearly
nineteen million dollars in eight
years, that is the total taxes in the
state for 1922 were about $19,0O0,0O0
higher than in 1914" he said. This
would lead one to believe that a ma
terial reduction could be had if prac-
teal consideration was given the
matter
Mr.. Gundersons chief suggestion
for curing the ills" was economy.
He suggested some methods of rails
ing. money by new sources.
Suggests Cuts
nsolidated rural schools, he said
were great improvement, but an
expensive one, creating near-prohi-
bitive tax.
''Ths," he said, sis principally due
to the liberal law for transportation
Ii the bus system was cut out and
the patrons put on mileage pay for
certain distances, it might better the
situation very much
The state supports six institutions
doing normal school work But
cutting out few the state could
save money, he said, adding the state
has more in proportion to its popu-
lation than other states.
Duplication of high schools by
maintaining high school departments
in higher institutions of learning is
not justified, he said
New source of revenue, he added,
might be found in taxing amuse-
ments and non-essentials.
The question-is," he said, "wheth-
err practice and inexpensive system
of collecting could be devised. The
CT ri Of i
lily be made on the basis of classifi-
cation. There is one drawback to
this, that is the heavy taxes already
levied by the Federal government.
For Gasoline Tax
Zone tax l have in mind that
would reach everybody these days,
and that could be collected and dis
tributed without an extra expense
whatever, that is a nominal tax on
gasoline. One might expect strong
opposition to this from the good
roads enthusiasts, out it would mar
row itself down to the Importance of
schools and that of roads in which
the former would prevail"
Mr.. Gunderson urged support of
the. Demonstrating, renamed the
National Education, bill, pending in
Congress. 1t provides for national
aid to the local communities in main
tanning schools.
Il am believer in the Towner-
Sterling bill now before Congress, as
1t will be the means of equalizing
our financial inequalities and give
the. weaker communities and states a
somewhat equal chance with the
stronger, in case the local distribu-
ton requirements are not too high,
thereby recognizing education more
July as national need. If Congress
mad given more consideration to this
bill&and less to the creation of tax
exempt securities, it would have been
much better for our country. More
than one-tenth of our national tax
able wealth is exempted through
these securities, or in round figures
about thirty-five billion dollars. that
should help carry the financial bur-
den of not only our schools, but all
our public expense. We find William
Rockefeller of the Standard Oil
Company who died last year, leaving
an estate of approximately $67,OOO,-
900, or which about $47,OOO,OO0 was
invested in tax-exempt securities
and only 100000 in Standard Oil
stock. This is food for thought for
all Of US. What he did not pay the
rest Of us did"
Mr.. Gunderson asserted reduction
of taxes must come.
"The limit has been reached and
exceeded by many, who never will be
able to come back. he said. 1.-THE
utmost eeonomy must be exercised
our schools, public and state institu.
tionS, must get along with the bare
necessities as must all other poli.
teal subdivisions. It is what is 90.
ing to carry US through and avert
repetition Of what we had years
ago. when institutions were close,
for want of funds. Remember, tn.
taxpayer has been burdened with an
other load Of late years, viz; that O.
our::.state industries which has lcaus
ed Elm to pay over $l,500, 600 in in
terest alone on outstanding bonds o
over $15, 100000 and . large loss :,
be made good. II relief does no
come Mr.. Taxpayer will have to TAX
matters in his own hands and the Re
suit may be very harsh. We have 4