The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-05-01
MUST CUT TAXES =
MORE THAN HALF
Should Aim to Cut Taxes
so Per Cent in Next
t4
Few Years.
FARMERS ONLY HOPE

Madison.-A reduction in taxes OF
fifty per cent should be the aim OF
states in the next few years if agri-
cultural lands are to be relieved OF
present burdens and farming made
profitable, E. G. Quamme, president
of the Federal Land bank, st. Paul..
Mimi, declared here Monday. He spoke
before the Madison Kiwanis club at
noon.
Present day taxation is "overbur-
dens ONE, confiscatory and destroys
land values" the federal land bank
president stated. He said the taxation
question today has reached the place
where it is alarming and demands the
attention of all citizens interested i'm
government. Speaking on taxation and
land values, Mr.. Quamme said in
part:
Put Tax On All Property.
ga tax on all property is necessary.
The cost of government must be met,
life and property must be protected.
Taxes should be levied on all property
as equitable as possible. This is
maxim of taxation. The farmer must
bear his just burden of taxation in
common with all citizens, but he
should not pay more than anyone else.
A reasonable amount of taxation for
government does not destroy farm
values. On the other hand, it can be
demonstrated, j believe, that taxation
to a certain extent aids to farm VAL
ues. Taxable funds, secured by taxing
farm lands, that are employed for the.
purpose Of building court houses, town ,
Jc M
drainage, makes the community better,
adds to the comfort of the people.
Excessive taxation, on the other hand,
destroys values.
"The tax on farm land should be
an incidental expense and not major
expense. Twenty-Five years ago, the
tax on an average quarter section OF
land in Minnesota was about $40. The
taxes have been steadily mounting
ever since until today we have local
tiles when the ordinary taxes total
over $500 a quarter section. We had
good government a few years back
when the average tax was $40 per
quarter section seemingly to many of
us, just as good government as we
have now when the tax is ten times
that amount.
Becoming Confiscatory.
off the increase in taxation IS car
ried still further it will not be long
until all income is confscated and we
will then merge into state of social
ism. The situation has reached the
point where it is alarming. It is a
problem that must be met honestly
and squarely by all citizens. In maxi
ing a close analysis of this question
we find that the heavy burdens OF
taxation are local. 1t is the funds for
local use that create the large levies,
funds for townships, school districts,
counties, road districts, etc. 1t is, !.
therefore, largely a local problem. If
it were statewide issue, it might
be solved more readily by concerted
effort and able leadership.
"There is very little profit in farm
ing anywhere in the Great Lake Basin
region. Farmers are receiving little
or nothing for the labor and no in
come on their capital. Most of then,
are glad to be able to meet their over
head interest charge and taxes. Gov
ernmental costs have been increasing
rapidly for the last two decades until
we have reached a point that is moth.
ing short of crisis in the growth and
development of this territory. Land in
come cannot carry any greater burden.
1t is therefore, imperative that there
be recession in tax levies. Taxes
must be reduced
President Quamme said the only
way to meet the situation is to re-
trench.
There must be greater economy in
public expenditures. Economies must
be practiced in every way, regardless
of inconvenience or self interest. All
of our political subdivisions must Z.
come back to first principles again.uo
Public improvements of lost kins =
should be stopped for the time being.
Every effort should be made, not only
to reduce taxes but to reduce them
by one half should be
our goal" =.
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