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Show Review Editorials inREVE A4 T he Has REVIEW. September 30. 1965 Grand Jury Its Limits More and more, recently we're hearing citizens, disgruntled about some aspect of county government, say Lets just hope the grand jury gets this thing cleared up." The grand jury will attempt to deal in some fashion t with mismanagement in county government, but this isn its primary function. Their first task is to examine alleged irregularities. Their traditional result would be indictments if any are warrented. Whether or not they can effectively deal with to question. organization and management is still open Salt Lake County needs its own commission comprised of courageous and independent citizens to examine, not and organijust current practice, but the entire structure zation of county government. The commissioners seem to agree on this in principal, but the gulf between principal and action seems very wide Indeed. Much of the recent trouble stems not from performance but from organization. But neglect of examining that organization is a mistake in performance itself. We do not look to the grand jury to solve our basic and continuing problems. The commission suggested a special committee months ago. Its high time to do something about it. Yes , You Too, Will As relative newcomers to the media field we sometimes wonder about the criteria of success and durability. Our current conclusion is that a communications media in any field must give the public what it wants when it wants it with verve, imagination, professional polish and courage. KALL Radio, twenty years old today, is successful and durable, and has met the criteria in handsome fashion. for KALL May the next twenty be as rewarding and its listeners. ... - THE MORNING AFTER (Continued from page u editorial win. Nom of these articles came right out ud stated flatly Were for a merit system for county along employees, but all of them came boldly does. On the back page of the Bulletin re quotes byTheodore Roosevelt, If ichael D1 Salle, Herbert Hoover and Lyndon Johnson extolling the merits of the merit system. In a front page article the Bulletin states. When the public or the press vii dissatisfied with something la county government dark clouds of unfavorable publicity formed up and rained down on all of us. Now we have a voice with which to answer Everybody - from the SLC Chamber of Commerce tojhe employees association seems to feel the need to spread the word - so they put out a newspaper. More power to them and welcome to the club. We offer one full quart bottle of aspirin. One statement in the Bulletin hints at the feelings of the Association toward the spoils systeny'It shall be the purpose of the . . . association to promote the progress and advancement of public service . . . to the end that It shall become a highly respected profession County employee, not being on the merit system end having their Jobe subject to political whim , naturally approach the subject gingerly, but they have become bolder over the past few months, and probably await the golden chance to make a strong stand. Backers of the patronage pillar will say that a merit system breeds inefficiency and the locking In of mediocrity Their ml concern isnt that, it's that patronage is needed for party strength Given the apathy of most dtiaens toward politics their concern is perhaps not unreasonable. When election time approaches, candidates dont get elected automatically, and the civic minded women vjbo spend hours ringing doorbells for altruistic reasons ar mighty few. So the man of the hour depends on an army at party regulars, who arent wearing out st leather from any burning idealism They expect to be rewarded - and in the spoils system ... I ) they ar. with Jobs. If polities are to be a vital force In this country. It follows that political parties ought to be strong. On the other hand it could be that politicians ar so used to doing things this way they don't see other possibilities. Herbert Hoover sald.'W must have our political parties organised and based on questions of principle and philosophies with dtlsens participating in political campaigns as a matter of civic obligation. Hoover was an Idealist but there are ault a few of them around today. And they're giving Utah and Salt Lake County politicians something to think about. They claim that patronage creates corruption at worst and Inefficiency and high cost at best. They point to the federal government, and states like New York and California where merit systems have worked, and strong poltlcal parties still, supposedly exist. On of Governor Calvin L. Rampton's first acts after reaching office was to extend patronage beyond anything the had ever dreamed of. At the same time he encouragea the legislature to svstemltia the merit system on a more solid footing In Salt Lake County today the Roads and Bridges department is the strongest funnel for patronage appointment In Utah outside of the state government itself. Most of the supervisory personnel of roads and bridges want to keep it that way. Eventually with pressure from employees and el titans and governmental advisory committees the entire question must com to a showdown Patronage Till probably never completely disappear, but there will probably be some wing clipping as citizens begin to ponder the effects of the spoils system. Politics used to have a stigma; it's If more cltiiens take an disappearing active Interest in political doings reasons for patronage will disappear, and though many will try to hang on long after the effect ve usefulness of patronage is gone, this is one establishment that well may be on the wiy out ... By NORMAN ROSEXBLATT Mulls Study Utah Taxes (Continued from page at higher income levels in Utah would produce very little additional revenue. The foundation names some criteria of a good tax system: ease of administration, wide sharing by the population, simplicity and ease of understanding by the taxpayer, convenience of payment, moderation and the lack of hindrance to production and economic growth. The most popular gimmick for a state to use Is passing as much of the tax burden as possible to outsiders -- including corporations operating within its borders and tourists the Foundation points out that there are practical limits to the revenues collectable from this source. rd of their Utahn's pey out about Income in taxes federal state and local. This Includes direct as well as hidden taxes paid by business and InIn 1940 the figure was about dustry. 20 per cent. Except for gambling taxes, Utah levies every major kind of tax found In any of the Western States. one-thi- The Foundation states, The breadth of Utahs tax structure has been lauded by most tax authorities 4 They point out that this broad type of tax coverage requires everyone to participate In the financing of governmental services without imposing an unduly restricts burden on any one group, segment of the economy or tax source. Every year more states put on new kinds of taxes, but some states still rely heavily on particular kinds of taxes for the bulk of their revenue. Not including changes made by this year's legislature, Utahn's pay 40 per cent of their tax load In property tax, against a mountain states average of 44 per cent and a United States average of almost 42 per cent. Utah relies on sales tax to furnish 19 per cent of its taxes compared to 14 per cent for the mountain states and 12 per esnt for the nation. 'Perhaps; says the report, the most (Continued from Page 1) ant that the state be able to compete fairly for the service of the very best men and women, Mr. Rosenblatt commented ' are. also, concerned to avoid the pitfalls of a jtomatk Increases base oe seniority, only. Mr. Rosenblatt said the commission's aims ar to bring greater economy and While efficiency to state government. taxpeyer, the specific recommendations wU be argued long and hard by the legislature which must approve or deny them The next few weeks will probably see other reports issued in specific areas A foul report will be Issued sometime before the legislature meets next spring But whatever the final concepts are they will, no doubt, follow the goals set out in this speech and suggesed in the comm's- - ) crlticiied tax In the state and local tax u E Workman structure is the property tax. Other taxes such as the income, sales or special excise taxes are either withheld or col- - Union Pacific Railroad Employee I think where children must Yes lected before the income is received. cross or walk along haxardous streets, The Utah Taxpayers report points out that total valuations in Utah have jumped 15 per cent or from since 1960, $1,328,600,000 the to $1,529,700,000, Mrs Donna Guy m on 2625 Solar Drive Housewife Yes, I think they should a way should be rovided to make it Of course It would cause an insafe crease in taxes. and In same period average levies increased OPINION PLEASE paid in small amounts throughout the year, or hidden in the price of goods or serThe property tax is about the vices." Question, asked of shoppers at Cottonwood only lump sum tax the average individual Do you think that Granite School Mall: has to cough up. should provide bus transportation District Nevertheless the property tax is the most important source of state and local Half revenue, throughout the country. the property tax In Utah is borne by owners of commercial or Industrial property. To compare Utahs property tax rat to others both the mill levy and the assessed valuation must be considered. The assessment ratio In Utah, notes the Foundation. is one of the lowest In the nation 65 36 mills to 80 2 mills. The sales tax is the second largest revenue producer In Utah. It was born as a depression measure, but its importance has increased over the years There are now 39 states that impose a sales tax, varying from two to five per cent, and of those 20 have a three per cent tax as does Utah. Of those 20, 17 have granted rights to local governments to levy additional taxes. Another tax levied in Utah, and 37 other states is the corporation franchise tax of six per cent of net income. Other taxes discussed In detail in the Utah Foundation Report Include the highway user tax, unemployment compensation Bud Stringtiam tax, cigarette and tobacco tax, severance Box 474. Draper Insurance alcholic tax, tax. tax, beverage at Joe's Barber Shop in the Mall Employed tax Inheritance tax and oleomargarine Yes, definitely. I think it should be taken care of. It would probably cost the taxpayers more money, but it would be worth it. for students where walking to school is haxardous? f1 Mrs Wyona Withers 4958 Cottonwood Lane Housewife "Definitely. There ar manv circumstances where students live on haxardous streets and should be bussed. LONG SOUGHT PARK FOR COTTONWOOD (Continued from Page 1) brought a roar of applause from the gave lolipops to the children attending the audience as there la presently no nearby ceremony, and their past president, Paul swlmmtng facility and this need is one Bywater, thanked various members of the club for special efforts rendered toward of the chief concerns for the citizenry. the park project. The Lions are planning County Commissioner William Larson was on hand to turn the first shovel of to build a picnic bowery on the site as sooo as the grounds are ready. earth, assisted by County Recreation ofThe dedicatory prayer was offered by ficials Paul Rose, superintendent, and Cal Taylor, president of the Butler Ward, Charles Baugh, architect. All three comChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y mented on toe fact that the cooperation of various civic groups and churches in Saints. The park is to be developed on 15 acres Cottonwood Heights helped make projects of land, extended when Jordan School like this succeed. The County Recreation District purchased five acres to go along Department, under Commissioner Larson, plans to Install the sprinkling system In with the ten acres of county park land, said Mrs Boyd LlgneU, publicity director the perk this tall. The Cottonwood Heights Lions Club for the coordinating committee. Mrs. A. P. Helnem New Zoning Law rather than if a certain is on t certain list type of industry Mr. McClure said he would like to see more administrative determination of some aspects of toning rather than commission determination, such asadminls-tratl- v review of toning variances. Two new administrative privileges have been allowed In the new toning ordinance. In one, uses not listed in the existing classifications may be classified by the toning administrator. In the second the administrator may allow temporary permits for Christmas tree sales, and circuses. Mr. McClure warned that all Christmas In permitted areas The toning allows the administration to require cleanup of these areas and proper operation. tree sales must be 1800 South 9th Housewife East Yes, If it's at all possible. I think it would be good for both the children's safety and the parent's convenience. Letters The Many Moods Of Will Lucas hv Dear Sir, On the front page of your paper September 23rd there appeared a picture of small children going to school, under the title Cetting There Is Half The Worry. I agree this is a big worry and I am ir in full agreement with your article will notice the children you In toe picture ar walking on the wrong All safety rules 1 side of the street. have ever seen stated that you should always walk facing toe flow of cars. This makes sens as I know I'd never want to walk with my beck to toe traffic as these children ar doing 1 believe if parents and schools taught the children this basic safety rule It would be a great help to them and toe car operators. Sincerely And a big fat Happy Birthday to us" Today KALL radio is twenty years old September 30, 1945 we went on the air... and what a year. That was the year that was ....the Japanese signed sirrender toe United Nations was officially established ...Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Winston Chorchill and Joseph Stalin siped the Yalta Agreement.... Harry S Truman became the president after the death of Roosevelt.. ..toe death of Adolph Hitler was announced ... what a year . and KALL radio was born. We opened, with a prayer on Sunday morning and started That was the vear Salt programming e' Lakers heard with Melody Mac. Tom Mix was nd.ng Lp every day .. along with Captain Midmri.t And talk about action, we outdid TV with drama ... Boston Blackie, Build )? Drum-moo- d and The Shadow. We had the story Lady and A1 Jaxibo Collins Sal; Lakers were trying to 'Break the Bank' on and remember the old 'Salt Lake Spelling Bee'? September of 1945 saw a lot of action in our town. That was the month that the draft quota was slashed f ry percent and only men under 26 were made 'Kall-a-Tun- A ill Lucas C. Purchase Dear Sir The county has recently taken under advisement the possibility of placing a on toe dairy items by lifting toe wartime $10,000,000 "crash" flood control proban on toe sale of whipping cream ...Micky gram before toe electorate soon. A well Paramore and her Swingettes were apengineered flood control program Is unpearing nightly at toe Old Mill. ...County questionably needed! Auditor David P. Jones and County TreaHowever. I have grave doubts about surer J R Jarvis received a commeoda-tio- n a number of aspects of this proposed when the county accounts were de"ensh program. claim to be in excellent shape ...and First were really talking about a hit toe northeast section of the $ 50, 000, 000 flood control progra m of which city, wiping out the cemetery.. ..that was $10,000,000 is Just a starter. I am very toe month the state declaired an emerconcerned because we are Jumping into gency when the fourteenth death due to this with no coordination whatsoever with other projected water control proposals polio occurred .. and on the air at KALL radio we were listing to the 'Dream (e g., toe 'Little Dell Project the 'JorBusters' and the 'Western Wranglers . dan Resevoir, etc ). The current enginPemember the great music of 1945? eering plans do not take any of this into That was toe year Vaughn Monroe came account. I am also concerned because toe proout with 'LetItSnow"....and''BlueMoon ..Clyde McCoy recorded his ''Sugar posed plan would condemn or ' confiscate" Blues. ...Bing Crosby sang "AprilShow-ers- " lands and homes along toe Mill creek and ...and A1 Jolson was very big with other tributaries to the Jordan River and ''California Here I Come". The Mills put in (in part concrete slab spillways Brothers and the Andrew Sisters were which would result In toe destruction of with standing room only much or most of toe little natural beauty entertaining audiermes....' You Always Hurt The One and original vegetation vet left in the You Love and ''Rum and Coca Cola. valley. This would involve paying high Its been a wonderful twenty years for right-of-wcosts, expensive court acKALL radio ...and it proves that a mature tions, and condemnation proceedings as community can find happiness with a radio well as causing a great dal of Irrepair-b- k station that's only twenty years old ... property damage The reasonable ay Bruce Hammond 2078 East 3185 South "It would be s good idea I think they could find the money in the budget from other places. To The Editor How-eve- terms aboard the battleship Missouri .. Hoover Commission Wont Be Minor 1 alternative to this (putting storm drains under county owned streets which would involve no land acquisition costs similar to what the city has done) has been rejected for reasons difficult to understand or substantiate. Another concern is the Ignoring of such counter proposals as those by David Gardner which would make use of existing irrigation canals in a coordinated program of flood control which could result in considerable savings to toe tax perer. The present plans for this $50,000,000 project, which are somewhat controversial to say toe least and are considered by some specialists as overenglneered are toe product of one engineering firm At toe very least w might invite alternate proposals A stvu of wea 10 would involve $5,000,000. Before we set in motion a $50,000,000 project It would seem imperative and would certainly guarantee efficient use of the tax payer's dollar to have some independent engineering firm with experience in flood control, check some of the more controversial features of toe present plan A little caution now might save much money and grief later Sincerely, Victor B. Cline VMH Show Opens For Benefit The premiere performance of the outstanding Broadway musical, "Flower Drum a special Valley MuSong, sic Hall production, will be presented Monday, November 8, as a benefit for the new University Hospital, Maurice Warshaw, benefit chairman, announced today |