The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-02
SENATE GROUP
DRAFTS HUGE
SAVING PLAN
Drastic Tax Reduction and
Government Cost Cut
Are Advocated.
SLASHES FOR SCHOOLS
Ten Per Cent Drop Asked in
Appropriations for State
Institutions.

Program for tax reduction and
curbing of public expenditures, in
the hope OF effecting an annual
saving of s45.0O0.000 to $4,000 900
in Indiana next year, was an
nounced today by the cooperative
committee of the state senate, and
transmitted to like committee Of
the house. The groups are conf
posed Of both Democrats and Re-
publicans.
Declaring that the cost of govern
ment is taking steadily increasing
amounts from the profits of private
enterprises, the senate committee
states that, on the other hand. bust
ness has suffered continually di-
minishing return.
This, it is stated, shows rather
startling rapid change in economic
relationship. This committee be-
lieves that this unbalancing change
now is the greatest disturbing fac
tor against return to normal
business conditions, with opportu-
nifty and employment for all"
Government may grow to a point
where it destroys the opportunity Of
the people TO support themselves,
the program continues.
Urges Taxation Reduction
The committee stresses a belief
that the amount of tax reduction
that can be effected by legislation
is small compared to that which
can be effected in local units.
through activity of their citizens.
Specific recommendations which.
1t is claimed, would have s3.1s6. 766
in 1888 and 1884 include the follow
ing:
Reduction of 10 per cent in
appropriations for all state schools
TO save S472,o92 in the two years.
Suspension during the two years
OF all tax levies for the World war
memorial fund to save s304. 1896:
state teachers retirement fund.
s2l7578; state forestry, $l01, 464;
George Rogers Clark memorial
S7609S, and educational improve
ment fund. s1,014,64s.
Would Refuse Gas Money
The committee would arrange for
a refund to local units of sufficient
amounts of the gasoline tax to OBJ
viate local levies for road main
tenance; suspend for three years
authority of counties to issue unit
highway bonds. and repeal the
three-mile gravel road law.
Adoption Of the county as school
unit is urged by the committee.
which favors more home rule in
school matters. Repeal of laws
making mandatory certain offices
services and salaries in local units.
is advocated.
Local units would be compelled to
allot annual budgets on monthly
basis. and to make adjustments
each month to meet any reduction
in revenue.
Under the committee program.
automobile license fees and personal
taxes on cars would be collected by
county assessors, who would for
ward the license fees to the state
highway department.
1t is presumed the committee
favors collection of poll tax from
women. The program provides for
a tax Of 81 on every free citizen"
No license of any kind would be is
sued to any person who had not
paid the poll levy.
Many Bills Needed
The committee estimates that en-
actment of forty to fifty bills would
be required to establish its program
Appointment of the cooperative
committees followed agitation for
a special session of the legislature
TO enact tax relief measures.
Senator Joe Rand Beckett of In
dianapolis is chairman of the senate
committee. which includes Lee ].
Hsrtzell. Fl. Wayne. president pro
tenn OF the senate; Walter S. Cham
bers. Newcastle; Frank S. South
worth, Plymouth; J. Francis Loeb
ard. Milan; Jesse M. Ballard. Mar
ion. and c. Oliver Holmes. Gary.
The house committee is composed
of Dolph McKesson. Plymouth.
Democratic floor leader: James NJ.
Knapp, Hagerstown. Republican
floor leader; Earl c. Crawford. Mil
ton; Miles ]. Furnas, Winchester:
Hardin S. Linke. Columbus, and