Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-10-28
EQUITABLE TAXATION
THE GREAT QUESTION NOW OF
PARAMOUNT INTEREST.
kinson Bill Which should Interest
Every Taxpayer In Michigan and
Should Win Their support.

WY important llbIoStl INV kllONll rs
the Atkinson bill, which was offered
for passage at the special session of
the Michigan Legislature held I'm April
last, may he of interest TO our readers.
AS is well known, the intention OF
the Trainer of the law was TO equalize
the imposition of taxes. so that the
great corporations which have their
being and benefits from the public ell
terpriSe and business activity of the
! people of Michigan may properly bear
their share in the expenses and public
burdens of the State. There is no in
tention whatever To impose upon these
wealthy corporations any unfair bur
| dens, nor 10 fan in recognizing their
usefulness, and the convenience they
! afford TO the hundreds of thousands
of Michigan people who avail them
selves thereof. But, Judging by the
experience of other States I'm this mat
| ter, the treasury Of the great State Of
Michigan Is justly entitled to receive
vastly more revenue from the taxable
property included in the provisions Of
| the Atkinson bill
The bill is entitled "a bill to pro-
vide for the assessment and levy Of
taxes upon the property of railroad
companies. express companies, tele-
graph companies and telephone com
panieS and the collection thereof. and
the designation and election of State
Board Of Assessors to make such as
SesSmentS and levy and defining the
duties OF such board. and the compen-
SatiOn of its members and to repeal
such laws as may conflict Herewith.
Section | provides for the selection
of the State Board of Assessors the
board at first TO he composed of GER
tain officers of the State. but to be
chosen by the electors of the State mt
general elections hereafter.
Section provides a secretary for the
board, who shall devote his time TO the
business thereof.
Section > provides that the members
Of said board. and the secretary. shall
take and subscribe the constitutional
oath Of office. To be filed with the Sec
rotary Of State.
Section provides that the board
shall have access To all documents and
records in departments at the capital
of the State. To all records i'm county,
township and municipal offices: also
10 all of the books, papers or accounts
of any Incorporation. firm or individual
coming under the provisions of the act.
Said board shall have the right TO sum
mon witnesses when necessary. An
assessment roll of all property to he
assessed 10y the board shall be made
each year and filed with the Auditor
General, to be open for public inspec-
ton.
Section > provides for meeting each
year in September To assess the prop
crty OF all railroad companies. express
companies. telegraph companies and
telephone companies now organized or
hereafter organized and doing business
in this State. under any law of this
State or any state or country. The I
board may inspect all property of said
interests 10 get AT the true cost value /
thereof. taking into consideration the |
reports and returns made by the com |
panies together with such other evil !
dence as may be found.
Section q. The board shall procure 1
the best attainahle estimate Of the az /
gregate OF taxes raised within the State /
for State. county and municipal pur- !
poses. excluding special assessments |
Said board shall determine the average
rate Of state. county and municipal |
taxes throughout the State by dividing |
the aggregate taxes for the current
year. a~ aSCertaned under this section.
by an aggregate sum 10 be determined |
by adding 10 the total value of all |
property assessed under this act the
equalized value of all property assess
ed in the State as fixed 10y the State
Board of Equalization at its last meet
ing.
Section T. Said board shall tax the
property of the several companies as
assessed 10y it. at the average rate OF
taxation as determined 10y it. and the
amount of tax to he paid by each Of
said companies shall be extended up
on said assessment roll opposite the
descriptions of their respective proper
ties. and the tax 50 extended shall he
paid To the State Treasurer by said
companies respectively on or before the
first Monday in January following the
assessment and levy aforesaid. which
tax when so assessed and levied shall
be in lieu of all other taxes for State
and local purposes. not including
special assessments on property par
ticularly benefited made i'm any county.
city. village or township.
Sections :. 9. 10 and II define the
companies which shall be under the
provisions of the act.
Nt'llpH l. ItIbNlucS lOT compete re-
turns TO be made ny the officers Of the
companies each year to the Auditor
General of the State.
Section II. said board shall ascer-
tain and assess the value of all prop
erty of express companies. telegraph
and telephone companies doing bust
ness in this State at its true cash
value. And i'm determining the prop
erty of said companies i'm this State.
to he taxed within the state ana MS
SesScd AS herein provided. said board
shall he guided 10y the value of said
property as determined by the entire
capital stock of said companies. and
such other evidence as will enable said
board to arrive at the true cash value
Of the entire property Of said com
panies within this State. Ia the proper
ton which the same bears 10 the en-
tire property Of said company. as de
iermined 10y the value of the capital
nj Al.