Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-04-19
The Tax Burden
Increases

Cormick writes the President,
suggesting that a conference of
the Governors of the States be
called to find means of check
ing the great increase in city,
county, State and federal taxes.
During the REIMBURSEMENT pc
Rod following the World War,
Senator Mccormick realizes the
enormous local, State and fed
eral tax burden that has been
forced on to the shoulders Of the
American people. State taxes,
he says, have increased 1873 per
cent; county taxes Al per cent;
the taxes of municipalities of
more than $500 inhabitants, 80
per cent; and in the great metro
politan cities the increase has
been more than 100 per cent.
Discussing Senator McCor-
mick's suggestion, the Selma
NAla.) mes says:
These mounting costs have cone
within a decade. AS federal tax
es have been reduced these have
risen. While in no way relaxing
the pressure on Congress for tax
relief, the taxpayer viii do well
to look at his tax troubles near
er home. These, after all are
his heavier burdens.
And yet no curtailment of tax
alton seems possible. The price
of progress is the contribution
the individual makes to the COM
mon fund for the upbuilding of
the community and for all forms
of social, material and educa-
tional advancement.
What the Times says is true
in part. Additional benefits to
the people have added addi-
tional burdens. Our forefathers
knew nothing of paved side
walks and streets, hard-surfaced
roads and electric light; gas and
water and other conveniencc
All of these have added to The
tax burden.
However, there is an ENOR-
NOUS WASTAGE in taxes;
more so, we believe in the fed
eral government than the State,
and more in the State than the
municipalities. The reason IS
simple The farther away from
the eye the people, the easier to
add bureaus, departments and
other things that must be met
by added taxation.
The tax burden can be light
ened. While it can not be as
low as it once was, still there is
room for enormous cuts in APP
preparations, by the simple
methods Of applying business
efficiency to governmental af-
fairs. So long as it is possible
to FIX tax rates to meet any ap-
preparation made, just so long
will the tax rate be boosted
higher and higher.
Our legislators are not as
much to blame as we folk back
home. Every community de-
mands something of its govern
ment. Senators and representa-
tives too frequently are reflect
ed because of the amount of
the bacon" they have brought
back home.
If we desire a new postoffice
building, we demand one that
costs twice as much as is neces-
sary. Every other community
does it, and we, like sheep, fol
low the trail.
We do not hesitate to implore
our representatives to place or
the pay roll this or that friend
who wants a job. We, at lhc
polls, give our ratification "a
any sort Of an amendment thai
comes to us in the name of wal
pensions. Almost sixty year.
after the Civil War, we are paw
ing more for Civil War pension,
today than ever before.
No man begrudges one pen
ny that ever has been paid tina
gallant band who wore the gray
nor the wives of those men
But new class after new class ha.
been added to the pension rol
OF the State until today the ia,
is greater than ever before.
We - the people - are /,
blame. We demand appropria
tions forgetting that a time +,
pay will come.