The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-03-05
WILMOT

The Fred. Semrau Post No. 361, of
the American Legion staged one of
the most worth while affairs ever
given in Wilmot when they held their
annual re-union and banquet at the
Wilmot gymnasium Tuesday night.
The Commandment Ira White and the
members of the Post, deserve much
credit for the excellence and ability
of the men whom they secured as
speakers for the evening. 1t was
both privilege and an education for
the people of the community, who
were fortunate in hearing the address
es made by the visitors.
Commandant White made a very
able toast master and called on Aus
tin A. Peterson, State Adjutant from
Milwaukee first. Mr.. Peterson gave
very logical summary of the aims
of the Legion organization discussing
them at length under three heads -
The care of the Disabled Soldiers; the
Legion as factor in community de-
velopment and the care of the widows
and orphans. He also explained the
$4,000 endowment fund the Legion
plans to raise next year.
w. H. Afford, vice president of the
Nash Motors, was next introduced and
his subject, Taxation and its effects
on the industrial and rural life of
Wisconsin" was of a particular ap-
peal to every one in the audience.
Judge Affords remarks were we'll
chosen and his explanation of condi-
tions in tax matters as they now ex-
list in Wisconsin given in a concise
and lucid manner. He started with
an explanation of the advantageous
conditions surrounding our home state
both for the development of rural
conditions as we'll as industrial, then
showed how dependent each class is
on the other for further development
and growth. He then branched onto
the subject of taxation in regard to
both classes and with actual figures
to prove his statements discussed tax
conditions in 1922 and what they. will
be providing the tax bill now before
the legislature is made a law. He
gave the amount of the actual loss it
would mean for Salem Township and
explained how the passage of the bill
giving much larger per cent to the
state as whole, formerly percent
retained by the county, SO that the
industrial sections of the state will
be paying taxes not only for the up
keep of their home counties but coun-
ties far removed from their localities
On this ground the Nash Motors is
protesting the passage of the bill
which would mean q reduction of
100000 in their taxes for they are
willing to pay that amount as the
tax bill now stands as long as the
money is used for educational, health,
road and other civic improvements in
the city and county in which they are
located.
Mr.. Afford told how men of wealth
are quietly leaving the state to avoid
the high income and inheritance tax
es, how the Nash plant could reduce
their taxes 100000 a year by re-
moving their plant to neighboring
states and what it means TO COM
munity when a plant the magnitude
of the Nash is thus forced to leave
from unjust taxation. He took as an
example the withdrawal of the Sim
mons company from Kenosha and
what loss it has meant to the in
dividuals of city, county and state.
He told how the Nash company
plans on staying in Wisconsin and
fighting the matter out here as they
have faith in the people of Wisconsin
changing present condition as soon as
they fully realize what damage is be-
ing done to both rural and urban
communities under present conditions.
W. L. Haight, district committee
man from Racine was the next speak
er. Mr.. Haight said he usually talk
ed on membership, but the local post
has made such an excellent showing
in that respect that it was unneces-
sary to enlarge on the subject. he