| Show CUTTING TAXES governor fuller of massachusetts stated recently that his state will collect about three and a hilf millions less in the way of taxes from the cities and towns of massachusetts in in i 1928 than was collected in 1927 at the same time the state debt is being steadily reduced this proves that it can be done in ill state government as well as in the national government national taxes have been aunt almost to the limit ad asja asia result the income tax ta lates have been reduced so that they affect the average man inan little so far as direct taxes are concerned what lie he may have to pay in the way of increased cost of living because of the taxes passed on down from the big industry is of course another story massachusetts lias has a commendable recoil of economy but it is a record which is being made by other states too in fact a great many of the state governments inspired by the federal achievement are cutting taxes practicing economy and cutting state debts now with economy in national and state government achieved the battle will be two thirds won but b by y far the biggest third remains most of the taxes which affect the farmer the home come owner and the small business men are not the taxes collected by the national and state government but the taxes levied by the local authorities ori ties here is the place where the most good can be done for the little fellow local taxation tax make up the great bulk of the assessment of the ordinary citizen the money goes for schools school roads public buildings and so on these are of course necessary institutions buethe but the expenditures must be watched carefully it is so easy to tack on a little expense here and there and so add to the tax burden of the people of the community and the money for these local improvements and local expenses must it is to be remembered be collected at home it cannot come from the tariff collections or the international revenue bureau at washington with federal taxes reduced and various state administrations attempting with success to reduce expenditures and tax rates it then is up to the county and local authorities to 0 complete the picture of economy and efficiency here is something that must be done by the people themselves the president congress the budget commission and the governor cannot help them here the work of reducing must be done by the local units themselves public improvements must be carefully considered and expenditures tures pared to the ion lowest ionest est level consistent with the public service and if the local officials are to do this they must have the cooperation of the taxpayers themselves it is poor sportsmanship to vote for bigger public buildings wider vider roads and other improvements and then complain vio violently because the local tax rate goes up the people who vote these improvements prove ments must pay the alie bill for this reason it is necessary to take a long look before we leap into something that sounds good even if it is expensive |
