The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-09-27
Cutting Taxes

Two forces are fighting hard TO compel a reduction
of taxes in this city to the limit of $3.50 hundred
fixed by the legislature.
One OF these is composed of large property owners
who wish to escape taxation. The other are the po-
ltical enemies of Mayor Sullivan who wish to dis
credit his administration in order that they may get
back into Office.
What the property owners who are fighting to
establish the low arbitrary limit overlook is that the
legislature also passed income tax law to distribute
the burden, but that it was killed.
1t is most obvious that an enforcement of the low
tax limit would destroy all organized. government in
this city, county and state.
The huge burden Of interest on debts, incurred
during the days of Cofinsm, takes almost all the
money that could be raised by such a levy
The city government of Indianapolis is called upon
to render services that are not given in smaller COM
munties.
The great city hospital cares FOR the SICK That
institution relieves misery of the poor 1t is alb
solutely essential unless the people take the attitude
that the poor must die they can not pay for their
doctors.
The city has maintained clinics to care for the
health of children 1t has furnished at an incredibly
low cost dental service for children. The city has
a prenatal service for mothers that is dedicated to
healthier children and a healthier race
Even after the fight made by Mayor Sullivan for
reduction of rates for water and electricity in which
he saved the taxpayers many thousands, the charge
for water and lights would absorb all the money
available for city government after interest bonds
is paid
SO, in the end the question which will be decided
by the new board created to review the work Of
elected officials is whether organized government will
continue
situation may develop where there will be no
money to carry on. There may be such tax delin-
auencies that there will be no money to pay any
salaries or wages matter at what point they are
fixed The tax strike advocated by some real estate
leaders would make this certain
But until that time comes it may be we'll to
member that the city administration has made
notable record for economy in strong contrast to
the waste and extravaganza that ruled under Coffin
ism So far there has been deflation in public
service. The departments of health and sanitation
have been maintained, more necessary now than in
days of prosperity.
The recreation system has offered and must
offer escape for those who have no other means of
amusement The health of children has been pro-
tected
The one possible reduction is a heavier slash in
wages of all public employees The wage has already
been cut But even If the wages were cut in half for
all teachers iremen and policemen dangerous pro-
ceeding in troublesome times, the saving in taxes
would not bring the levy within the law.
The final decision is whether the standards of
communal life shall be dehated.
Shall the health, the sanity the welfare of the
people be discarded for the sake of saving dolarsP
Have we reached the point where dollars are more
important than human life?