Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1948-10-22
Regional
Views
By Richard Gosser
Vice-President
international UAW-CIO

The ugly possibility of increased taxation
has again reared its ugly serpentine head and
is darting its fangs into the thinly worn pants
pockets of Toledo's taxpayers in the possibility
of an increased payroll income tax.
There is always the threat of an increased
payroll tax. That is the reason why the UAW-
CIO intends to police the present revenue OBJ
tanned from that source so that it is channeled
and spent properly.
Since it was inundated by the voters that
the tax become law, there was collected
S9226,0 ,09 in 1946 and 1947, the city managers
office said in recent report.
Expenses for administration debt retire
ment fund, operations, capital improvements,
new equipment and the stabilization fund
totaled $7,816,102, leaving a balance of ST.
400 995 at the beginning of the year.
City officials estimated revenues for 1948
at Sc, 900 900 of which 81 1888, SAB is earmarked
for the retirement of the city's inside debt.
Added to the 81 764, ,219 already set aside for
this purpose, that amount is hoped to retire
the council-voted debt completely, city Of
ficials think
There were other expenditures listed for
1948 of 100000 for general operations and
$50, 900 to be released for schools On June
80 there was spent $240,231 from the $250,000
fund for deferred maintenance and new equip
ment, and $265,055 of the annual budget of
$500 for capital Improvements.
So it is time that the city fathers realized
that Toledo's workers have made more than
ample provision for Toledo'S needs and sources
other than the payroll tax should be found for
additional expenses, and should not play with
the idea of further depicting the pocketbooks
of the working men and women of this
vicinity.
1t would be criminal imposition to add
another burden to the already overburdened
wage earners by misuse of the money on hand
and anticipated revenue. The city is solvent
ever if the taxpayers are not, so the city
fathers should be a lot more cautious in the
use of those funds in earmarking them for
certain projects.
There are thickly populated areas in the
Toledo district which do not have the proper
recreational facilities, forcing children to play
in the Streets creating a hazard from the
standpoint of traffic as well as health
Let's take the kids off the streets by giving
them the proper and adequate play centers
and meeting places, with proper supervision
so they may live a normal youth and repay
us in dividends of good citizenship.
1t is my suggestion, now that the city has
been amply provided for in revenue, that the
necessary public improvements should be
properly taken care of and some of the money
should be diverted for humanitarian purposes.
The recent polio epidemic has indicated to
everyone the need of adequate hospital facili-
ties for victims Of that disease and brought
home the need of nurses trained in that phase
of nursing as well as the need for equipment
for the proper treatment of the afflicted
The newspapers have reported the tragic
occurrences of polio victims being turned away
at hospital doors because there was no room
or nurses or facilities to take proper care of
them Many victims were forced to remain at
home because there were no beds in hospitals
or nurses and doctors to take care of them.
The city council as well as state and legis-
lative bodies should make plans and provi-
sions for any emergency of that nature by al
loting money for equipment and skilled help
as well as shelter for victims of any calamity.