The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-12-02
THE TAX PROBLEM OF THE
MARYLAND FARMER

tary-TreaSurer Md. Farm
Bureau Federation
PART 1
It must always be remem-
bered that there is nothing new
or novel about the fact that we
read and hear everywhere to-
day Of the ''tax problem.
Since history began, men
have worried about their tax
problems; wars have been
fought over taxes and this ma
! ton of ours had it's inception in
aScontroversy over differences
Iin opinion on the tax question
Of that early day.
Takes are the contribu-
ytion," some one has said, "that
a citizen pays to the communi-
| ty of which he is a part, in ex-
change for what he receives
from the community"
This is splendid theory, but
practical government has re-
versed the procedure until to-
day ''taxes are the tribute ex-
acted by the community in ex-
change for the services re-
quested by the citizen" We
say requested because, in.a de-
mocracy such as ours, the mat
ter of taxes lies largely in the
hands of the voters.
The high cost of government
is the sole reason of high taxes
and with few exceptions the
citizen is responsible for the
high cost of government. One
exception is, probably, the
debts accruing from the World
War, since it is doubtful if by
any theory of democracy the
war debts could have been con-
ftrolled by the rank and file Of
the citizens of this country.
But, by and large, the bond
ed Indebtedness of our counties,
cities, and states has been
brought about by the demands
for improved roads, viaducts,
airports, bridges, etc., by the
citizens of our communities,
usually aided and abetted by
various civic organizations of
which we, as members, sup
port.
Our school system and costs
of education have grown apace
largely because of overly en-
thusiastic parent-teacher asso-
Citations, community clubs, we'll
meaning delegations and other
bodies, advocating something
special or extra for their own
particular community, little
realizing that numerous SINH
lar movements elsewhere, by
requesting the same thing,
help make it a permanent fix
ture.
Thus, by our organized de-
mands or, in some cases, by
our lack of protest. we have
permitted the development of a
system that many thinking
people believe today is beyond
our financial ability to main
tain.
Certainly, with a national
tax bill of over fourteen billion
dollars annually. we can we'll
question whether or not the
time has not come to call a
halt. Unfortunately, VIII n
hard times come, government
cannot retrench as can private
businesses. Aside from the
fixtures we have developed,
with the development Of these
more elaborate services of gov
eminent, the purely admins
trative cost must, of necessity,
Increase since supervision must
De supplied, with each new
governmental function. In tax
revision programs the admin
'strative cos,s are usually the
first attacked.
1t is highly possible that a
desire to keep down the adj
ministrative costs in some
governmental units is respon-
'ible fer the higher total ex-
9enditure, since fixed items,
'uch as roads and schools,
might not be as efficiently
managed and, in the long run,
be more wasteful than if prop
erly supervised. There Is much
evidence that we are some
times pennywise and pound
foolish.
We have had developing in
our country. almost unnOticed