The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-04-23
(Official City, State and County
Newspaper
This Tax Racket

This Tax Racket
No greater criticism of the manner
in which state affairs have been
handled under the present admins
tration is possible than the crop OF
taxpayers associations which has
sprouted all over North Dakota. Get
ting no relief from legislatures DOM
mated by one political faction or the
other, the people Of the state are TAX
ing matters into their own hands.
Unfortunately some Of the remedies
suggested are not the best, but when
the taxpayer takes the bit in his
teeth there usually is no stopping
him.
The initiated measures affecting
taxation are going to be popular with
thousands Of voters. Regardless o:
their merit. the people of the state
are anxious to register a protest vote.
They are in a mood to hit the tax
eaters. whether they do so above or
below the belt.
North Dakota under its present po-
litical leadership has drifted DELHI
erately into the present predicament.
Commissions have been created and
personnel of those in existence before
the orgy of spending began has been
multiplied. This state in common
with all states has assumed activities
which do not belong to a government.
Now the pressure of high government
tax is being felt and the taxpayer,
getting little or no constructive help
from his governor or his board of
equalization, is hitting out blindly for
relief. He may do some institution
an injustice in seeking a way out, bu.
for once in this state, the voters are
demanding tax reduction and an end
to many foolish and expensive COM
missions. They should go a step
farther and demand cessation of
costly experiments which the present
administration denounces on the hus-
tings but. when elected to power, con-
dones and uses them as a part of
their political machine to put fresh
taxes upon the people.
Initiated measures, taxpayers asso-
cations and groups Of citizens may
alleviate taxation through such media
as are utilized, but in the final an
alysis the duty is that Of the elected
officials and most especially that of
the legislature. Voters of the state
should pay more attention to legis-
lative candidates this year and send
only those who will work honestly to
curtail public expenditures.
For years the political bosses have
elected their hand-picked legislators
to put over their schemes and per-
petuate themselves in power withou.
much protest from the voters and tax
payers. If those engaged now in
seeking tax relief are really in earnest
and want a job done well, they will
put their legislative candidates on
record. There is the place to stop the
leaks.
In a recent address before the Chi.
cago Chamber OF Commerce, Col
Robert r. Mccormick, publisher OF
the Chicago Tribune, gave scorching
indictment of tax-eaters and plumber
ing political bosses. Among other
things he said:
Like the nobility OF royal France
and personal---very. England, our
officeholders are a privileged class,
becoming hereditary. holding sine
cures established by law. They look
down upon civilians with contempt as
fit only to work for the support Of
their masters. They dominate and
exchange place with elected officers,
with whom they conspire for special
benefit.
Civilization could not start until
the old privileged Aristocracy was
cverthrown. Now it Is re-established
in another form and IS sucking the
life blood Of the working world.
If you are to exist you must tear
these weasels from the throat OF the
nation. You will have to so into
every detail Of political organization
ana activity. r you do less you will
be destroyed"
And again, he said:
III you ask me what Is the alterna-
tive, will make this statement and !
will continue to make It There Is not
q cabinet officer, there Is not q MEM
her Of congress who can demonstrate
that one-haN Of the money appro-
priated Tor any department Of govern
ment 4 used for the purpose destg-
mated. ! Will Be specific: not one
~ q the money appropriated for