Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-12

ming al Leeds Center at 10 O'Clock Mon
day morning. Senator Brewster de-
voted himself to the state Issues as
outlined in the state Republican plat
form. and dwelt at length on qucs-
tons OF taxation and the Development
of Maine.
What Brewster Said
He said in part.
The Republican platform pledges a
continuation Of the policy of strict
economy In public expenditures that
has characterized the administration
of the past two years. Recognition Of
the burden now borne with ever in
creasinR difficulty by the farms and the
home owners and the industrial and
commercial interests of our State
makes such course Imperative.
Taxes may be reduced either 10y
spending less money or by securing
additional property or persons to share
the tax burden with us. The great OBJ
jects of public expenditure today are
for education. for highways, and for
tho care of the dependent charges Of
tho state. From my knowledge OF
tItfNt uFIbl lll''lliS ! bfll'NF mat 'i'H
utmost economy consistent with their
proper functioning has been practiccd
in recent years Good faith on the
part Of any critic would seem to re-
qulre that the critic should not deal in
Elittcring geucralities hut should spe-
city exactly what appropriation he
would curtaIl or eliminate in carrying
out any further program of retrCnch-
nsont. II will then lie possible to con-
slider the proposal fairly on its mer-
it's and weight the arguments for and
against such an appropriations.
An Open Book
The record Of the Republican ad-
ministration of the past two years is
an open book. Every appropriation is
matter Of record. The Republican
PARTY in this campaign stands squarely
,ipon that record and welcomes TUT
md free discussion of the merits of
any and al! appropriations there in
volvcd.
In my Judgment 1t will be very diff
cult further 10 reduce appropriations
without seriously crjpplinE the tunc-
tloning Of absolutely essential depart
meuts Of the states activities. l be-
lieve this should he said in justice Ia
our citizens who are properly concern
cd with this problem.
Neither do / believe nor do I fnd
authority In the Republican platform
for making the specious proposal that
our tax burden Will he lightcned by in
crcasinE the valuation Of our assessed
property To 10A per cent. of Its mar
kct value as ms been proposed by my
Democratic opponent. utilization OF
valuations is undoubtedly q need IN
zonle localities. but this, | believe. eau
be attended TO by local action. Mean
while. deprccate any suggestion
which would add 10 this intolerahle
burden already being carried by the
farm properties of our state.
The proposal to increase valua-
lions in order to reduce the tax bur
den Is n self-cvident attempt to lift
oneself Ivy the hootstraps. Each
tax payer ut the end is bearing OK
actlv the same burden that he was
at the beginning.
The constructive way In which to
tighten our tax burden is by per
suading other persons and property
to share the burden with MS through
the proper development of the adj
Nantages of our state. This VIII not
he accomplished by pessimists.
The waste places of Maine will not
he redeemed by advertising that our
state IS an agricultural graveyard.
The law recognizes what is known
as sellers talk" That Is the ut
with the facts.
II is encouraging and also accu-
Continued on Page S-Col. g.