The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-06-19

"The motor of Wisconsin is "For-
ward" Inspired by this watchword we
have advanced in the span of one life
time from wilderness to a high state
of prosperity. With every advantage
of natural resources, climate, location
and energetic citizenship our advance
has been mighty and magnificent
said F. H. Clausen, president of the
Van Brunt Manufacturing Co. of Hor-
lean speaking at the Rotary club meet
ing today.
Representatives of the Kiwanis, OPP
timist, Civic Council, Woman's Club,
Manufacturers association and other
Kenosha organizations were also pres
ent.
"The balance in development Of
agriculture, manufacturing and com
merce has been well maintained, 8
most desirable situation.
"In the rapid progress we have made
from rude beginnings the complex has
displaced the simple and machinery
has been devised to bear the burdens
of man.
''The problems of production are now
tied up with those of marketing and
the sale of the output of our farms
and factories extends to all other
states in the Union as we'll as beyond
the seas. The widening of our mar
ket forces upon US the fact that we are
one state of many and that interstate
commerce relations dominate in oul
agricultural and industrial enterprise
with the rapid growth of material
prosperity has come the necessity fol
enactment of laws to control or in
fluence the conduct of our enterprises
So numerous and important have these
laws become in Wisconsin that they
now dictate the. future growth and
development of our State. Inasmuch
as the right kind of government &C.
ton is now SO important to our eco
nomic future the responsibilities OF
citizenship lie heavily upon US.
Wisconsin Must Pause.
"The time has come in Wisconsin
when we must pause and get our bear
ings to decide whether we shall main
tain our advance or slip backwards.
"This decision is forced upon us BY
the serious attempt at the last session
of our legislature:-
Ito change our State tax sys-
tenn by nearly doubling income
taxes.
2-To make it a crime for any
worker in Wisconsin to work more
than eight hours day, except the
farmers.
$40 establish compulsory un-
employment insurance, sometimes
referred to as "idleness endow-
ment."
and many other bills of like import
ance.
"All of these propositions so vitality
effect Wisconsin's progress that full
understanding of the facts is most i'm
portant.
"There is no one subject that is less
understood than Taxation. 1t is US
ually regarded as dry and unimportant
but submit that at this time in this
state it is the most interesting subject
we can consider. This is because OF
the threatened action of our last legis-
lature to place on industry tax load
which a large number of our business
corporations and individuals would
have refused to carry. That threat
still exists and stands as menace to
our economic advancement.
"Those in authority have assumed q
state of economic affairs in Wiscon-
sin which does not exist and have
49, al - aJry tx,I inh y
kill and not cure.
No Burden Exists.
''Every tax bill presented in the 1928
legislature provided for wiping out
general property taxes for state ex.
pense to relieve burden which does
not exist. Every dollar of state gov.
eminent expense today is covered by
state receipts from Railroads, Insur.
ance Companies, inheritance taxes, in.
come taxes, auto licenses and sources
other than general property taxes and
a substantial balance left over.
Bulletin No. 10 of the Wisconsin
Tax Commission recently issued shows
total general property taxes turned in
to the state treasury in 1923 as &c..
1lV,UO0 anu SCdLG Aus returned &c
counties, towns and cities including
schools, charitable institutions, high
ways and auto license fees amounting
to $10,522, 400. This is a condition
and not theory.
"The general property state tax is
made up almost entirely of mill taxes
and these mill tax rates have been
the same for many years. There has
been no increase.
an 1924 there are only very few
of the Weather counties in the state
that will be called upon to pay more
general taxes into the state treasury
than aids that are returned.
In Fond du Lac County.
For example: Fond du Lac Coun-
tvs total state tax for 1924 is $780,
492 and the estimated state aids re-
turned are $142,833 plus its share OF
auto license fees collected, together
with state highway aid.
"The tax problem in the State OF
Wisconsin is a local and not State
problem.
"All property taxes in Wisconsin