The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-03-25
R0TARIANS HEAR SENATOR RIVERS
 ON TAX PROGRAM

| were auuISSSeu IOuay at their noon
 luncheon in the Gold Room oi the Baranof Hotel by Sen. Victor c. Rivers of Anchorage, chairman of the Senate Tax Committee. Senator Rivers outlined the tax program which he and Senator Norman Doc" Walker of Ketch- ikan had introduced to the Legis- lature in an attempt to more nearly balance the Territorial budget for the next two years. Outlining a tax program which has bsen adopted in many of the States as the basis of sound tax structure, Senator Rivers named three taxes: an income or license tax on business firms based on the volume of business; an income tax on individuals, and property tax.
 The Senator pointed out that the income of the Territory has re- mained nearly static since before the war, while the increased pop ulations, especially in the schools, has increased obligations and re- responsibilities. At the same time the value of the dollar he said, has dropped to about half it's former value before the war.
 The tax program in the Legis- lature by Senators Rivers and Walker has been largely killed. The Property Tax was voted out of existence this morning, he said, adding that now untaxed property outside incorporate cities will es- cape scot free" for another two years.
 We do have" sad the Senator, an obligation, a responsibility, to pay in taxes what our society is worth to us. The usual thing, however, when a tax bill comes before the Legislature, is that the only voices to make themselves heard are those who are opposed to the bill Very seldom is there anyone who will speak up for the good of the Territory
 We must not evade the prob lems, we must face them" stated the Senator. When these three hills have all failed to pass, as he expects, they will cause, he said, a discrepancy in the Territorys in come and outgo.
 Rivers citicized the Sales Tax now up before the Legislature as being a heavy tax upon the low income person who has heavy re- responsibilities Large incomes es- care practically scot free, corpor- ations pay little, transients pay practically nothing in sales tax T have opposed such bills" said Rivers, and I intend to continue to oppose them to the best of my atility.'
 Henry Hogue reported to the Rotary the financial results of the 1 Rotary City Band Con cert. Gross receipts were S575, he said, and the net profit after expenses was s27525, which will be turned over to the City Band for their uniform fund.
 Hank Harmon asked committee chairmen to be present Monday evening for the Soap Box Derby Club meeting at the Grade School auditorium to answer questions.
 Jack Burford reported the re- suits of the fact-finding commit tee appointed from the member ship of five Juneau clubs and which went to the City Council meeting last Friday night. They were successful, he said, in moving the Council to hire Walter T. Stuart to make an investigation of the Public Utility question and present unbiased facts for publica- tion. Study the reports care fully" urged Burford, then vote which ever way you decide"
 Ernest Parsons also spoke brief ly, and said that plans are under way for a town meeting in Ju- neau Sunday afternoon to dis cuss the Utility question
 Editor Bob Atwood of the An chorage Times, a visitor at today's meeting, was called upon to give his towns version of the contro- versy over the All-Alaskan basket bsll championship. He read a telegram which had been sent him containing information on the background of the situation.
 It stated that since Juneau had refused to enter the Fur Rendez- vous tournament that she thus had disqualified herself from any chance to play for the All-Alaska basketball title, which, the wire said, was decided at Anchorage. The telegram mentioned plans for next year to charter special airplanes to carry Southeast Alaska teams to Anchorage for the tourn- ament, which is probably to te held the week before the Fur Rendezvous
 Juneau, the wire concluded would be put at the head of the list for invitations next year. Even High School Rotarian- of the ' t..x