Milford chronicle., 1924-12-19
Forty Years To Pay off Debt

to the question of establishing Z
l non-partisan or bipartisan Ia
) Board whose sworn duty It should b6
t that no laxity in collection should
= result from partisan motives OF
) from ineficiency in the tax collect
ing agents.
40. What assistance would the
tax collector need to handle efficient
ly the collection of income and cor
poration taxes and what would be
the cost?
To collect, audit, tabulate and file
all tax returns would require the
following:
Chief Auditor
10 Auditors
20 Clerks
The cost including rent, supplies.
travelling expenses, and so forth.
would be approximately 100000 an
nually. It is estimated that the total
collections would be nearly $1,000
900, making the cost of collection
about per cent. After the first
year the expense would probably be
reduced somewhat.
SO Is it not possible to otherwise
increase the revenues of the State
by careful study Of methods used
in other states and by devising
other methods of taxation to avoid
increase in the income tax?
Undoubtedly much can be accom-
plished by further study and more
careful management, but the need
Of new build 'ngs is most urgent
and action at the coming General
Assembly is necessary if any build
ing is to be done during the next |
two years. We should now adopt a |
positive plan Of acton and not toler- |
ate further delays. The great need |
of new buildings has been known |
for five years or more and the dem
onstration of cost and effect of re- !
building has been fully made. Those I
who at this late date are carrying
for more time and delay cannot
we'll excuse their own neglect in
having remained inactive for five
years without developing any sug-
gestions of relief. They are not en-
titled to further hearing. If any
of revenue IS produced under
herewith trans
mitted, a reduction in the bonds
to be issued will be in
order. The experience of another
TWO years will guide the read
iustment of tax rates to suit new
conditions. If other sources of
revenue have been developed or if
NOR careful collection of taxes in
,reases receipts beyond expectations.
4 percentage reduction should be
made on taxes figured under this
plan. By such means the difficulty
If properly readjusting tax rates
will be avoided in the future.
81. Is it advisable to agree to
uch a large expenditure of money !
It one time?
Delawareans must not fail to s
consider the school building ques- c
ion very seriously. We have seen a
question 30) how the acuteness of r
oday's situation is due entirely to q
eglect and to failure to make pro- c
ision for the future. We know a
hat the seriousness of school con- e
itions was called to our attention L
tx years ago. During the inter- I
ening time the State has done n
othing, the counties have done 0
othing, the city of Wilmington II
ntil 1924 had done nothing, all D
ut IL of the 375 school districts :
f the State have done nothing to-
ard the rebuilding of the schools
is true that the State has dealt
berally in appropriations for school
perations; also the great interest
isplayed by parent-teacher assoc
ations and by the pupils in their
stter attendance shows a keen ap-
recitation of the value of educa- Z
on and a real desire for better con-
itiOns. Meantime, the rebuilding
a number of schools of every
-pe. at no cost to the State has
ven full information on desirable
ans, character of construction, Z
luipment and costs. n
The last remaining doubt or cause, r
r hesitation lies in the question, +
n we afford this investment (S7,-
100000
Do not forget that 20 per cent. of S
If nearly finished road system to n
st S24,753,274 will be furnished by =
e Federal Government and pri- q
tie contribution, that 2S p per cent. II
the cost of the necessary rebuild s.