The daily star-mirror., 1923-10-17
N. P. rail OFFICIAL
DISCUSSESTAXAT|ON
ECONOMY PROGRAM FOR NOR
THERN COUNTIES ANNOUNCED
AT CHAMBER LUNCHEON

| Action looking to the carrying out
of the economy program, authorized
by the North Idaho Chamber of Com
merce, in the organization of work
/ in five northern Idaho counties. was
announced Wednesday noon at the
regular weekly chamber of COM
merce luncheon meeting by C. E.
Arney of Spokane, western colonial
tion agent of the Northern Pacific
Mr.. Arney's able address on taxation
problems and the resultant effects
was the feature of the meeting.
w. A. Coughanour of Payette, past
grand master and present grand
treasurer of the Grand Lodge, l. o.
o. F., and c. Ben Ross, prominent
Odd Fellow and mayor of Pocatello,
made short talks. Mr.. Coughanour
amused the crowd with a succession
of clever stories and Mr. Ross ad-
vocated education of the farmer in
the kind of crops he should produce
in order to make Idaho the great
commonwealth she is expected to Ee.'
Both speakers expressed the appreci-
alton of the l. o. 0. F. for courtesies
extended by Moscow during the con-
ventiOn days. A large number of Odd
eiioWS were Tie SueSlS Oh the
chamber
Taxation Interesting
"The subject Of taxation is inter-
esting to the tax payer, railroad COM
panies, corporations and the public
in general" said Mr.. Arney in part.
Taxation is. particularly interesting
to railroad companies and corpor-
ations that keep tax organizations
and figures showing the tax ratio
are always of interest.
I'm Latah county the Northern Pa
cific pays approximately $36,500 in
taxes. An economy taxation pro-
gram means no more for a railroad
than it does to the individual tax
payer. Economy in taxation is natu-
rally of more Importance to the rail-
roads because the railroads are fore
ed to pay on what may be a con-
scale. Last year the Nor
thern Pacific paid S1O,OO0,OO0 in
taxes.
No Detriment to Schools
I'VE have no quarrel with officials |
and the economy program is not de- |
signed to the detriment of schools, |
highways, or any of the features
necessary to the prosperity of the
country
"In authorizing the economy tax
alton program the North Idaho cham |
ber of commerce plans on the or !
ganization of the ten northern Idaho |
on the same basis as the |
Tax Payers association.
In 26 of the counties organized in
there was saving of
from seven to 21 per cent in taxes"
Can't Pass the Buck
In emphasizing the fact that ex-;
cessive taxation of railroads must be
reflected in the necessary increases
in freight and passenger rates and
that the burden of taxation can not
be passed on to the railroads, Mr..
Arney said that the only thing the
railroads can do is to present tax
receipts to the interstate commerce
and say raise the rates
IN lumber, coal, wheat, potatoes,
supplies"
"It is not advisable and there is no
Intention to cripple or injure the
of government, When
eaks and inefficiencies are evident,
hen the economy program can be
planned with the officials that
neSe economies may De worked out.
Basis of Cooperation
Cooperation is the basis of econ
my and an educational feature into
axation will have wholesome eff
ect."
Mr.. Arney told of school district,
tx miles wide and 40 miles long in
rider to tax railroad, with a hand
ONE school building, dance pavil-
ion and moving picture show
UOp tho 0eS nm r,,i1ac pf roiJroa6