The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1923-01-04
Measures Covering Prediction
! Campaign Promises Ready to
Be introduced In the House
/ of Delegates of New
State Legislature
SUGGESTIONS OF CHAIRMAN
| DUNLAP WILL BE FOLLOWED
Sensing Popular Move To curtaiI Ex-
penses and Lower Tax Rate. Repub-
lIcan Leaders, After Yearo Of Ex-
traVaganee, Are Endeavoring
To Take Credit

To Take Credit
On the eve Of the 1923 session o
the state legislature, canvas on tn
Democratic members diScloses unan
imous sentiment to institute pro
gram OF economy and greater ehicien
cy in state government and lowe
taxes in line with protection cam
paign promises of the party.
In this connection, the general pro
gram covering the more important is
sues as outlined by Democratic Stat
Chairman Il. +. Dunlap mt a meeting
OF the members of the Legislature an,
party leaders in Charleston the mid
die Of December is strongly favore
and number of measures in lin
with Chairman Dunlnp's suggestion
have already been drawn up and ar
ready for introduction upon the open
Ing of the session January 10.
Briefly, Chairman Dunlap made th
following paramount recommends
lions:
Appoint committee from the
mouse OF delegate members at open-
ing or session empowered to in
rsstig"ie ana report promptly such
eliminatlonS and reductions as they
believe should he made to imme-
oletely cIrtai! the high cost OF state
government
Make the governor instead of the
hoard Of public works directly re-
sponSlble Tor operation Of the budget
system.
Virtually eliminate the state de-
partmept Of agriculture by cutting
Its appropriation to $1,000 and turn
y ~
or west Virginia University the work
Intended to aid the farmer: also
abolish the 4O-cent tax on fertilizer
and the 35-cent tax on feed which
the farmer is now required to pay
indirectly.
Abolish the mine guard system and
provide drastic penalties to prevent
~ from springing up anew in the
Abolish tho office OF state prohibi
ton commissioner and transfer his
duties to the State Police: To fines
and costs now imposed in cases OF
conviction under prohibition law,
add cost of arrest, which in no case
should be less than s25. payable into
the state treasury.
Enact a measure which will permit
hydro electric, or water powc. de-
velopment in West Virginia.
Provide that all monies due the
state be either collected by the state
treasurer or turned over to him
every two weeks and disbursed bv
him only after being duly authorized
by the Legislature.
Curtail cost Of primary elections by
eliminating counting boards and per-
hitting the number OF voters at each
precinct to be 500 instead of $50
Challengers should not be paid.
Abolish boards OF equalization and
review and impose their duties upon
the county courts.
Abolish commission to recodify the
code, board OF ,ulc-ed welfare. sand
and gravel inspectors, and numerous
other jobs and commissions created
apparently for Office seekers rs no
Republicans. on the ground thai they
- are unnecessary ana non essential
Create .p'CjaI committee ~
IS three, two from the house ur dee
. gates and one from the state SENATE.
D.. 60 act with tn" state capitol build
ing commission heretofore appointed
which will have equal powers in CON
tracing and supervising the erection
OF the new state capitol in Charles
ton. This, Chairman Dunlap re-
marked. would give the people
through their elected representatives.
full informa tion as To- all the delibera-
tions and would perhaps establish a
greater confidence and aliay further
discussion"
In discussing taxation, Chairman
Dunlap said in part:
"The proposed plan for the classI
ficatlon of property is worthy of con
slderation and it would possibly h
effective in bringing out hidden car
ital, but as further guarantee, Their
should be a repeal of our present for
felture law which fixes penalty O
ten per cent for each year, retroa,
tive for FIVE years. This should b
amended by striking out the penalt
except twelve per cent interest o
the taxes.
AS TO the Limitation Of levies T.
$3.50, this would meet with public IA
yor However, these legal straight
jackets do nc. appeal to me On
trouble Is not In the lack Of law bu
recklessness in administering the AT
fairs Of the counties and the state
Regard for the value of money IN
been lost and vision of the effect
OF heavy burdens Is not realized.
THE relief Is in an awakened put
lie mind, which we are now obtainin
and by It you have been commission
ed as the legislative surgeon to oper
ate to the very heart Of the cankc
Of extravaganza and restore health
condition" He urged a modification
''lf not repeal, Of the gross sales tax.
~ NOh''h'iiib ~" huhlto0f 0ldlIlUu
Dunlap told the new democratic mem
bers Of the Legislature that he npprc
ciate1 "the superlo. rights to initiat
and enact into law hose things whic
YOE deem best for the states wei
fare adding that he had ono falls
visit Of my power or authority q
conf ~ or direct Jour action and
trug that you Will accept my effort
as ~ n desire on my part to rende
sOr5 service"
a ptal CT 50 Of the Go Democrat
mel ers Of the state legislature re
spO ed 10 Chairman Dunlap's call {
att 4 tho conference In Chorteotor