The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1933-01-26
DEPRESSION BLAME
DUE WAR, POLITICS
LAUDON TELLS 800
Judge Blames Government in
Business, Mismanagement
for Tax Increase
APPROVE RESOLUTIONS
Farm Board, War Finance, Dams
Given as Examples of
u. S. BlunderS

Terming conditions in the country
today trough survival of the fit
test" and blaming the condition on
the politicians and the World War,
Judge A. R. A. Laudon told about
800 farmers and business men who
packed the armory here Saturday for
tax meeting that "the quicker we
all wake up and see how foolishly our
tax money is being spent, the quick
er the country will be back on its
feet"
Resolutions approved at the meet
ing would aim the reduction ak at
salaries of county officials and as
sistants, poor relief and county print
ing costs. The dismissal of the coun-
ty agent, reduction of Is per cent in
officials salaries and the dismissal Of
the assistant county engineer were
recommended.
Mr.. Laudon reminded the audience
that seven years ago he wrote articles
urging tax reduction. ''There is more
hope now than when that first article
was published" he stated, "and feel
that there are more followers now"
He commended the group for its in
terest in the question.
Taxes Tripled
Speaking on national taxes and ex-
penditures, he stated there has been
1875 per cent growth in taxes in
few years. "In 1912 two billions
were expended by the government.
The national income was 33 billions
so the tax was 81 per cent. In 1922,
SIS, 100000 was spent and the
income was IS billions for 12.1 per
cent tax. In 1929, the government
expended $10,800,000,OOO while 85
billions was the national income. The
greatest increase in tax rate was in
the report of 1881 when IL billions
were expended and the national in
come was only 81 millions which
made 22.2 per cent tax" he stated.
Mr.. Laudon reminded the group
that back in 1920 the county was
spending two and one-half times the
levy for roads and bridges on ex-
penses of that department.
"This went on for several years."
he stated" and in recent years the
county has been paying off the huge
debt which piled up during those
years. We are now getting back
where we belong" The road and
bridge fund is now out of debt.
In blaming the war for the depres-
sion, he cited that 35,000,000 persons
were killed and billions of dollars Of
property was destroyed. "Maybe we
licked the wrong country in the
fight" he added.
Poor Manager
Government is poor manager"
he declared. During the few years
of the war, much money was spent
on airplanes which were never used,
millions were spent on ships that
never were used and a billion was
spent on railroads"
Other examples Of ineffic:ency
given were the farm board and adj
vocating the cutting down Of pro-
duction while millions were being
spent on irrigation dams.
Speaking Of the Muscle Shoals pro-
ject, he stated that it was built IL
years ago at great expense and
they are still debating about what to
do with it. "The taxpayers money
is putting the taxpayer out of bust
ness" he declared.
when the government gets your
farm" he stated, "you aren't going
to work IL or Ia hours daily as you
are now; you are going to join
union-then the governments prob
lem of over production will be solv-
ed"
Resolutions on state matters call
ed for cut of one-third to one-half
on auto licenses, changes in the di-
vision of highway funds and asked
60 day legislative term and Is per
cent cut in salaries over $1,000 per
year.