OCR Text |
Show Tax Conference Is i Most Constructive ! i The annual conference of the Utah Taxpayers Association was voted by the large number who attended as the most constructive, illuminating conference con-ference for the discussion of the question ques-tion of taxation ever held in the state. Dr. M. H. Harris, stastician for the association had prepared thirty large graphs and illustrated stastistical information in-formation dealing with many phases of taxation. His analysis of these graphs was one of the astounding features fea-tures of the meeting. He showed the manner in which the tax laws were being administered: the inherent defects de-fects in our present assessment system; and pointed out where the bulk of taxation tax-ation is being paid and from what sources eash county is receiving its taxing tax-ing revenues. Comparitive figures' showed the trends of taxation, the ! trends of expenditures, the variations in the revenue accruing from the different dif-ferent sources and many other angles of taxation that threw a flood of light upon our present taxing situation. It was urged that Dr. Harris be pri vileged by the General Committee to meet in the taxing units of the state and bring home that same message to the taxpayers in their respective localities. Mr. Roscoe Hammond, Secretary or the State Board of Equalization gave a picture of our tax structure which in itself quite thoroughly shattered the contentions that the tax system of Utah is in any way inadequate or antique. an-tique. It was clear from the combined discussions of Mr. Hammond and Dr. Harris that the fault lies almost exclusively ex-clusively in administration and that equalization and increased revenues will come to the state when this initial ini-tial defect is corrected. Mr. John Jensen, of Salt Lake City, pointed out in a convincing way the relationship between taxes and development de-velopment of the state; how Utah is now emerging from an agricultural into an industrial state; that capital is very sensitive and will not locate here unless we promise and guarantee a sound, stable and unchanging tax system; that the burden will be lightened light-ened only when we can distribute it more widely and that this distribution distribu-tion can take place only to the extent that we succeed in getting more taxable tax-able property into the state. Dr. LeRoy E. Cowles gave a talk on the school dollar how it is raised and how distributed. All of these presentations pre-sentations led to lively and healthy discussions. Mr. A. P. Bigelow, State Chairman, presided over both the morning and afternoon sessions and gave the taxpayers tax-payers an opportunity to understand the functions of the Utah Taxpayers Association that it was to deal with the administrative problems and not to get into the vexatious and difficult subject of equalization because on that point taxpayers are so divided and so uninformed that the Taxpayers Association As-sociation as such is not constituted to deal with that question; that an attempt at-tempt in that direcion would mean immediate im-mediate dissolution of the association and the end of its very effective work. Important resolutions were then drafted and unanimously accepted. They urged: increased powers to the State Board of Equalization over assess nients of all property, both individual and class; that a director of the budget bud-get be set up in this state to supervise super-vise the budgeting of all our state institutions in-stitutions and organizations; that independent in-dependent audits be move carefully observed; that all taxing units follow closely the budget laws; that the State Superintendent of Public Instruction shall be an appointee of the State Board of Education; that men or women wo-men immediately connected with the state institutions shall not be eligible to serve on the State Board of Education: Educa-tion: that the recent school survey be brought out and analyzed by the Stato Board of Education and that the recommendations rec-ommendations contained in that report re-port dealing with improved conditions in our school system be considered and acted upon. The resolution also passed praising and thanking the city and county press for their fine presentations of taxing subjects and that all taxpayers of the state be invited to join this movement for efficiency and increased economy in the administration of public pub-lic affairs. A number of the legislators and public pub-lic officials were in attendance. |