White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1931-02-12
l5c Tax
On Butter
Substitutes
Bill Designed to Foster
Dairy Industry Passes
Senate IS to 7
KNUrE HILL

On Monday of this week the Sem
ate passed by vote of 35-7 bill
placing a 15c tax on butter substi-
tutes. 1t is designed not only as a
source of revenue but also as a pro-
lection to one of the leading indus
tries of the -dairying. 1t was
very much opposed by Senator Hast
ings of Seattle and others as an ad-
ditional tax on one of the "neces-
sites" of the laboring man who with
a large family to support and unem-
ployment his lot during a large part
of the year, must purchase the cheap
est food available. The bill has a very
good chance of passage in the House.
On Tuesday an incident occurred
that shows the attitude of the House
organization men. H.B. No. 80 pro-
vides that the mayor of 3rd class
cities may make appointments with
out confirmation Of council. Daniel
son of Whatcomb urged it's passage
stating that mayors should be held
responsible for city government and
should have sole power of appoint
ment. Hayton of Skhgit (organiza-
ton many opposed it. .Danielson vot-
ed with present organization men on
January 18th but is classed as an in
dependent and having "sniped" at
Rules Committee once or twice, is to
be punished. The bill lost by vote
of 81 to 80. Danielson, however, pre-
vailed upon Russell of Skagit, who
voted against it, to move to recon-
slider on Wednesday, Hartung, of
Asotin, an ardent administration man
took up the fight for the bill, eX-
planning it was necessary in his city
Of Charleston where there was con-
tinual controversy between mayor and
council. With the same arguments,
but under different sponsorship, the
bill carried by a vote of II to "a.
In other words, it is not question
of merit, but who wants it.
Tuesday was also the first day cT
real excitement in the House. H.B. II
was up for final passage. 1lne Advis-
ory Tax Commission had recommend
ed it's passage and it was urged that
all future tax relief legislation (such
as the Showalter billy depended on
passage of this measure. In a few
words, the bill provides for a super
visory county tax commission of three
Zone from each commissioner dis
trict) to be appointed by the State
Tax Commission which in turn is
appointed by the governor. The bill
provides for a budget system for all
taxing units in each county. Supreme
control in the final analysis over this
budgeting system would rest in the
governor. Every budget proposed by
a city, school district, county irriga-
tion district or other taxing unit
would be subject to revision by this
appointed county tax commission and
appeal only possible to the state tax
commission. Although budget sys-
tenn is desirable for individual, fam
lily, city, county, state and nation, it
is the antithesis of democracy to take
control Of this power of taxation
away from the people themselves.
It is the GENERALIZATION of authority
gone wild. Further, it permits the
building up of a political machine
whereby a central authority may by
threats and promises reach into ev-
cry hamlet and village to dictate the
election or defeat of candidates for
office. Moreover, it is demonstrations
al. Deputy County Prosecutor Col
constitutional law. says the power to
tax is vested by state constitution in
elected officials and cannot be dele
gated to appointive officers. Because
the excise tax on banks enacted in
1929 was unjust, undemocratic and
unconstitutional, your representative
opposed it both in debate and by
vote. The Supreme Court upheld this
contention. For the same reason I
spoke and voted against H.B. II and
although only 13 votes were regis.
tered against it, I believe the same
result will follow. A great many were
opposed to it in principle, but, under
threats of no tax relief unless this
"key' measure was passed, voted for
it.
Representatives Denman and O. FL.
; Olson spoke against the measure but
voted for it. The Senate will modify
the appointive provision in the bill
or else defeat it. Senator Oliver Hall
sarcastically said, "Soon we will have
to get permission from State author
tiles to eat hotcakes of morning"
The Senate passed without opposi-
ton that same day the Savidge plan
for conservation of our timber re-
sources. Because it is sponsored by
Land Commissioner Savidge, it may
have some opposition in the House
but it will pass by comfortable ma
jority as it is sane policy for the
state to pursue.
The following day the Senate de-
feated the bill sponsored by the gov
ernor to abolish the state tax COM
mission. This will prevent it's coming
UP in the House at all this session.
There was also joint hearing be-
fore the Senate and House commit
tees on elections and privileges on
three permanent registration bills.
We listened to very able discussion
of these proposed bills by Professor
Continued on page 81