The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1935-02-09
Solution to II. D. Ills
Promised by Wexford
Cites Problems as Public Wei
fare, Good Government,
Productive Effort
CALLS FOR COOPERATION
Terms Tax Structure Obsolete :
Real Estate Not indicative
Of Ability to Pay

Governor Walter Wexford Friday
called on the people Of the state to
be patient and unafraid" as he
pledged himself to q satisfactory
solution" Of the financial ills Of North
Dakota.
Calling for the cooperation Of citi-
zens OF the state, Wexford declared
three classes of problems face the
state, public welfare, good govern
ment, and productive effort
THE answer" he asserted, Ito one
problem or any problem Is always
found In terms of money. The answer
to the money question Is found only
in q determination Of the ways and
means to secure legally sufficient
funds to continue our state govern
ment and educational institutions in
q manner that will react to the credit
Of the people as q whole. 49,.
I'VE must secure these funds under
an equitable distribution Of the bur-
den to all classes. Each class must
contribute in direct proportion to the
benefit it receives.
with one-third of our people de-
pendent upon the state for the ordi-
nary necessities Of life, it Is incum-
bent upon the whole to assume diff
ferent attitude than ordinarily ex-
pected."
Tax Structure Obsolete
He termed the present tax struc-
ture obsolete" and asserted that lat
this time no good will come" from q
general levy Of tax on real estate OF
personal property alone.
1T is absolutely impossible for real
property or personal property to pro-
duce any wealth at this time" he
said. Real estate is no longer q
class of property by which you are
capable of judging persons ability
to pay. It seems to me that taxes
must come from wealth or money as
it may pass through our hands in our
daily normal transactions"
BEST minds" in the legislature are
studying the problem, he said.
II have been in consultation with
all factions, political and otherwise,
meetings have been held with men,
beers Of the legislature who come from
every walk of life. Committees in
both houses are holding daily meet
ings. calling in witnesses, and deter
mining the most workable way to
raise money" he continued.
Promises Some Solution
II promise you some manner Of sat-
isfactory solution. We have to this
time made a considerable stride in
putting underway the program Of the
Nonpartisan League adopted at VAL
ley City. Resolutions have been
passed calling upon congress and
other states to do away with tax ex-
empt securities. Studies are being
made to try and find means of
stabilizing and adjusting the present
existing obligations Of counties, mu-
inequalities, and school districts.
Something will possibly come from
this.
I'VE are making an honest en-
deavor to find q way to permit any,
one who has lost his home or farm
to regain possession through some
system Of purchase. We will con-
tinue to function in the interest Of
depressed and care for the weak first,
even though we lose strength there
by.
During past time, Of more or less
greater dependency. we have become
servants Of our national government
to q degree which cannot continue.
It Is fundamentally necessary that
the state must retain some form Of
control or supervision over the citi-
zens within the state.
State Must Assume Task
I'VE have rapidly approached the
point where state government might
be removed, and II continued we will
all become direct subjects of the ma
tional government. The burden Of
control must be shifted back from the
federal government to the state gov
eminent.
II am only sorry that up to this
time we have come 50 close to fed
eral paternalism that we cannot
overnight return to system Of SELF
government. The economic and
drouth conditions have made US prac-
Continued on Page Seven)