The Coolidge examiner., 1938-09-01
Linville For
Tax Commissioner
(Arizona Daily Starr

Although in the coming primary
election interest seems to center
in the governors and the sheriff's
races. there is one contest more
important than either.
The Arizona state tax commits.
sion has jurisdiction not only over
such matters as the sales. luxury,
income and ad valorem taxes. but
also has control over the liquor
business within the state. The three
tax commissioners are elected one
at a time every two years. This
year Thad M. Moore is up for re-
election.
Should Mr.. Moore be returned
to office? We believe not, and we
base that belief not on Mr.. Moore's
personal life, but strictly on his
official record. His official record
is bad, and it IS particularly bad
in the administration of the liquor
business in Arizona.
Perhaps no Iersons know better
of this bad official rec rd than the
members of our own city admin s.
tration. Mayor Jaastad will We ify
how many time after time when
the city has refused an applicant
license on account of the appli-
cant's record, the state tax comis-
sion dominated by Mr.. Moore has
granted the license. Although the
state liquor law specifically for
bids the presence of any kind of
gambling devices in place where
liquor is sold, slot machines were
installed with impunity n such
places al over the state, and there
they remained until the startling
slot machines exposure was made
in Phoenix.
Mr.. Moores record shows that
he cares little for the opinion OF
the decent people of the state IN
administering liquor control. 1t Is
Jus tsuch gross abuses as he has
tolerated which, if continued, will
arouse a growing resentment ag-
ainst the entire business. 1t thus
behooves those who desire to run
decent liquor businesses and those
who want some measure of con
tro Exercised, and who want the
state law enforced to defeat Mr..
Moore
Mr. Moore's record on admins
tration of the sales and luxury tax
is bad A year ago, after the Star
exposed how one of the agents had
been embazzling money from la
cal Chinese grocers, Mr.. Moore
allow that agent to continue at
work, although Commissioner o.
Neill had presented him with detail
ed charges Not until the case went
to court would Mr.. Moore act.
Then there was the luxury stamp
scandal in which Commissioner O.
Neil revealed by a personal visit
to the print shop how 100000 worth
of unaccounted stamps were found
in the shop. The mistake" was
caught in time only through the
vigilance of Mr. O'Neill.
1t would be possible to go on
and on, telling in detail of Mr..
Moore's irresponsible record and
his gross inattention to official
duties. But enough has been told
to give some idea of his disgrace
full official conduct.
In these circumstances we believe
that Mr.. Moore should be defeat
ed and that Mr.. Linsville, his op
ponent. be elected. Mr.. Linville
has been recorder of Maricopa CO
unity fou II years. He has been re
elected time after time. Evidently
, he has performed his duties well
| He has a satisfactory knowledge
, of the duties of the higher OFFICE
, he now seeks We believe that in
, the existing circumstance he
: should be elected, and that the
!, voters of the county, irrespective
: of how they vote for governor
should vote for Mr.. Linville an(
p defeat Mr.. Moore