The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-10-03
FULL-TIME TAX
BOARD IS PLAN
OF JUDGE COX
Adjustment Group Would
Be Presented Entire
Facts on Finances.
LEGAL PATH CLEARED
Clerical Help to Aid in New
Setup: One Member
Will Remain.
BY James A. Carvin
Times Staff Writer

Groundwork is being laid by Cir
cult Judge Earl r, Cox for a perma-
nent tax adjustment board in Mar
ion county as solution to govern
ment budget problems, it was
learned today by The Times.
Under the program being con-
sidered by Judge Cox, the present
county adjustment board will re-
main in session throughout the
year, and will receive clerical and
legal assistance necessary for OBJ
tanning a comprehensive knowledge
Of city, county and school expendi-
lures.
Regarded as the first constructive
step which has been taken toward
increasing the importance of the
adjustment board, since it's creation
two years ago, the plan is adaptable
for all counties of the state, it is
pointed out. ..4...
Serve Twelve Months
Members of the present board
which completed its deliberations
last Friday will be invited to attend
a conference with Judge Cox at
which details of the permanent or
ganization will be perfected, it was
learned.
In my opinion, there is nothing
in the law which prevents the board
from serving a full twelve months.
or at least until Aug. l, 1884, the
time of the new boards appoint
ment," Judge Cox declared.
L intend to see that at least one
member of the present board is re-
tanned next year to give the benefit
of his experience and the composite
findings of this years board to the
incoming members"
Organization With Judge
This phase of the plan is in &C
cOrdance with a suggestion made
by Judge Cox a week ago when he
appeared in person before the board
and denounced the system which
failed to give the board other than
psychological powers.
This board is the forerunner OF
a board which will amount to some
thing" Judge Cox declared then.
Organization of the adjustment
board rests entirely with Judge Cox
although he has no authority over
board mem oers after the appoint
ments. o.
Statutory provisions give him
complete control over appointment
of three civilian members. Three
others are selected by him from the
school board members, heads of in
corporated towns and township
trustees. The seventh member is
named by the county council from
its membership.
Legal Aid Needed
Services of an auditor for analysis
of budget figures, lack of which was
decried by Judge Cox under the
present board setup, will be provided
under the contemplated plan by as
signing a member Of the county
auditors staff to the board.
Legal counsel will be provided.
either by city. school and county
attorneys. or can be acquired by
special appointment from Judge Cox.
The tentative organization pro-
gram embraces an opening session
of the board early in the summer,
permitting at least three months for
intensive analysis and personal in
vestigation of budget items, before
final adoption of budgets on Oct. /.
Items to Be PrObed
Records of expenditures will be
provided the board by city. county
and school auditors and subjected
to close scrutiny. Individual de-
partment requests can be probed
for elimination of superfiuous items
and decisions will be made only
from personal knowledge of board
members.
Members of the board. who will
be asked to continue their duties
throughout this year. are John New
house, president and county coun-
Gil vice president; Russell Wilson.
school board representative; Mrs.
Maggie Maxwell. Washington town.
ship trustee; Harry Britton, Beech
Grove town board member: A. c.
Schrader. ForSt NJ. Knight, realtor.
and Frank Quinn, local business
man.