The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-01-19
Page One
Column One
Current Comment
|On Varied Events
By Times Writers

or no they shall submit to
voters at the spring ballot the
question of additional tax
levies. The board. like all
other public bodies. would like
10 have additional funds. How
ever. the problem is where and
how these additional funds. in
case the taxpayers formally
approve them, shall be ex-
pended.
First is the request of South
End residents for an added
one-mill levy to help finance a
new and larger Lincoln bowl.
1T is hoped federal government
support through a WPA grant
will be forthcoming to assist
in financing. The present
recreation center at the South
Side school is inadequate.
Everyone admits that. But
the problem for school author
tiles and taxpayers in general
is this: Shall we expend ad-
ditional cash for purely amuse-
ment and recreation purposes
or shall we make the needed
improvements in buildings in
the form of better lighting,
heating. and what have you?
Plus also, the question of re-
storing salaries to the teach
ing staff. All the teachers
have not as yet been restored
to the old salary basis existing
before the depression struck.
One of the questions the
board must determine is
whether or no we have gone
as far as we should in provid-
ing for recreational activities.
Providing for playtime is fine,
but there is also the workaday
world to consider. Are we put
ting too much emphasis on
leisure time and not enough on
the technical aids needed to
provide adequate support for
workaday needs? The problem
Is large and broad.
1t has been suggested the
city needs a polytechnic high
school. Not only to relieve
congestion for the present
schools, but to provide a basic
need for students who know
they will not be able to afford
a college education-even if
shey desired one. Reconstruc-
tictaa6l reIslrbishing of some
of our Anticipated school prop
critics must be attempted
sooner or later. Is the time
ripe now?
Decision on the part of
school authorities on the issue
of extra tax levies must be
made within week. Shall it
be one, two, or three mills, and
for which purposes? Merely
proposing the voters pass on
it is not enough. There should
be a definite campaign to edu-
cate taxpayers as to the wis
dom and value of any addition
al levies suggested. 'Tis easy
to borrow-even through tax
levies-but hard to repay. The
school board should explore
every avenue before making
its decision. Leaving it to the
taxpayer, of course. is an easy |
"out." Judgment of the board,
however, should be exercised |
first.
"A DANGEROUS threat to |
a the free distribution of
goods" That is the way DR..
Henry A. Burd. professor of /
marketing at the University
of Washington characterizes |
the now well nigh universal
practice of establishing inter-
state trade barriers. He was /
discussing the proposition of |
states levying tariffs Of one /
kind or another upon other /
states. Our own state of Wash /
ington is as guilty as most /
others.
The attempt to inflict a
protective tariff on our state
produced goods against the
importations of other states
may work temporarily, but in
the final analysis they viii
work harm. Other states
Just like foreign nations-can
retaliate. The AZ states Of the /
union are far from being self
sufficient. If they would pro-
mote trade and intercourse,
they had better forget the
levying of taxes, imposts and i
guarantees on goods shipped /
in from other states.
This country has grown
strong and sturdy through the
free interchange of goods and
products. State lines OH the I
whole have not existed. In I
recent years, however, there
has been a growing tendency +
for the sake Of revenue only i
tn shut ont DrOductiOu of /