The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-02-21
TAX ECONOMY GROUP URGES
!. PRUNING

February IL, 1941-Tax economy
advocates from three Maryland
counties last night urged the Senate
to use a keen-edged pruning scis-
sors on the currently proposed
$106, 100000 budget. Some two
hundred persons filled the Senate
chamber at the protest hearing.
Speakers who asked the law max
ers to hold state expenses to the
bare essential minimum included
Harry s. Middendorf, head of the
League Of Baltimore County Tax
payers; George Shriver, Jr., of
Pikesyille; Joseph w. Shirley, Jr.,
of Towson; and J. Donald Kirkley,
of Frederick who spoke for both
his own and Washington County.
The taxpayers trek to Annapolis
drew from Committee Chairman,
Dudley G. Roe, this comment"
is first time in my five terms in the
legislature any citizens group has
come TO Annapolis without asking
for something. You are patriots and
are doing something the taxpayers
should have done long ago."
Mr.. Middendorf declared that it
is only ordinary common sense and
business prudence not to settle
higher taxes on citizens, who, be-
sides paying city, county, and state
levies, must face ever-mounting ma
tional defense costs. Where is that
poor overburdened man, the average
householder, going to get this mon
ey?" he wanted to know.
1--WE are y, he went on, living
in world of chaos, rearming at
enormous expense. We simply must
cut Maryland taxes or else endanger
our free states solvency. We believe
the very life Of our nation may de-
pend on the statesman-like action
this emergency demands Of you gen.
tlemen."
1--WE should defer spending now
until the present emergency is over,
When that time comes we may ex-
perience the worst depression we
ever had. Then state capital expendi-
lures we cannot afford now will pro-
vide jobs for thousands of defense
workers, keep down the relief load,
and facilitate the transition from a
war to peace time economy"
Baltimore County's Joseph W.
Shirley, owner of three hundred
acre farm, said the present artif-
cial labor boom had caused state
wide shortage of farm labor. There
fore Maryland would do we'll to
postpone all but absolutely neces-
sary construction or public works
until the emergency is over. He
himself, he said. is working an old
man on his farm, the neighbor is
using two boys to work his land,
All around Maryland Mr.. Shirley
clared similar conditions exist with
only old men and young boys left
on the farm due to better paying
defense jobs. The present boom
time is the best time this country
will. ever have TO reduce the relief
load. While the present budget APP
parently asks less for relief than
the last one the amount is actually
greater. than the money spent for
relief during the last years.
Senator John B. Funk from Fred
erick County said during the meet
ing he believed state SURPRISES
should be used only to reduce the
real estate tax rate further or for
absolutely essential capital expen-
ditures so that bond issue will not
be necessary. He also said that In
future budgets every department
asking an increase should be reQuir-
ed to submit memorandum explain
ing and justifying the higher out
lay.
Mr.. Shriver said that survey of
all state insurance might effectively
reduce the premium outlays. A close
examination might. reveal that all
the new cars requested in the bud
get are not absolutely needed. He
doubted the need for more. funds
for hospitals in a period Of increas-
ed payrolls. Mr.. Shriver urged that
only the. most essential building
program should be undertaken and
this on a pay-as-you-go basis. He
also asked II It is necessary for the
state to buy $500 cars when the
taxpayers usually drives cars cost
ing about 500. s';
Mr.. A, j., Moran, spokesman for
the Montgomery County Taxpayers
Association. endorsed the demands
Of the other speakers and sounded a.
new note when he urged that there
be NO supplementary budget this
session nor additional appropria-
tions as has been the practice with
former Legislatures.
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