Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-08-12
TAX LEVY Is REDUCED.
The Executive Council Makes the
State Tax Levy 90 Mills
For 1900.
Reduction is $40 Of a Mill From
the 1899 Levy Reduced
Expenses.
And New Revenues Have Contri'
buted to the Situation--The
University Tax.

$500
ecutive council yesterday made the levy
for the var 1899, and it is follows:
Taxable valuation of prop
erty 4. j. ~. ~. ). $50. s525.000,0 900
Amount to be raised ). go. 100000
State tax levy. ......2 $40 mills
State university special levy 40 mill
Last year the levy was as follows:
Taxable valuation of prop
erty -. -. >. ;. $545, O00, 900
Amount to be raised. 100000
State tax levy ;. :. 4. ......3 2-10 mills
State university special levy lilo mill
1t will be seen that while there is
reduction of s20Q00.C00 In the taxable
valuation OF the state, as compared
with last year, there is a reduction of
100000 in the amount OF money to be
raised for state purposes, and Of 3 of
mill in the levy.
The falling off in valuation has been
explained heretofore. AS a matter of
fact. the wealth of the state is worth
good many millions more this year
than last. The reports to state officers
from every department of Industry in
dictate this. The amount of bank capt.
tai in the state has increased more than
commissioner declares, on the strength
of reports which he has received, that
the amount of labor employed in the
state is 90 to 25 per cent larger. The
new revenue law is responsible for the
difference in the taxable value. Nearly
the entire reduction of $4,000 900 is due
to lower valuations of farm property.
Unless the legislature next winter
makes much larger appropriations than
are now expected, there will undoubt-
eddy be another reduction of the levy
next winter. In fact, several reduc-
tions can be made before the levy will
be as low as ten years ago. 1t is, of
course, pure speculation as to what the
next legislature will do. One state Off
GER declares his opinion and there will
be decided reduction in the amount
of extraordinary appropriations. He
argues that the state institutions are
not asking large amounts; that there
are no institution buildings of import
sance in process Of construction, and not
entirely provided for except those at
the Cherokee asylum: and that no great
amount will be needed there during the
coming biennium. On this basis he be-
lieves that the legislature will not need
to provide for more than $1,800.000 or
81, 400 600 for 1900.
But another official looks at it in an
other way 1.-THE state board of control
is going to ask for lot of money this
winter" he declared. at is getting
ready to ask for big farms at several
of the institutions. The superintendent
at Marshalltown, for instance, in his
report shows that he could make excel
lent use OF $4,000 or $4,000 in buying
more land and corn. He wants to run
his own dairy department. He also
wants the state to build an independent
water works system for the institution.
Then at Clarinda they are asking a lot
of land, and many improvements in the
facilities for farming 1T. Davenport 8
institution wants to farm on a bigger
scale; so does Eldora. So 1t goes, right
through the list. Now, know that
the board of control would like to make
many Of these improvements. Undoubt-
eddy, If the demands could be met, 1t
would in the end effect an economy.
But 1t would cost good deal of money
to provide for all these things at once
Until four years ago 1t was custom
airy for the legislature to fix, by statute,
the number of mills that should be lev
led for state purposes during the sue
| ceeding biennial period. Then the law
was changed. Experience has proved
that the legislature could not intelli.
gently fix the number of mills. unit
1t knew what the states valuation was
! to be; and the assessment would not be
completed till after the assembly haG
adjourned. Accordingly 1t was enacted
that the legislature should in futur,
fax a certain amount of money to BIZ
used for state purposes. and authoriz,
the executive council to make such levy
as would raise this sum.
The revenue fixed by the legislator,
for 1898 was 81. 600. 900; for 1893 it adopt
ed s1,500,00 as the amount for which
the council should levy Under the as,
sessable valuation of s545, 100000 in 1895
the council made a levy OF 3.3 mill:
for state purposes; besides which Their,
was a levy of i of a mill. made by tn,
legislature, for the state universit,
building fund, to run for period o
five years. This year it is found that
levy of 80 mills will answer for stat,
purposes. the i of mill for the univer
| sity being continued. There is thus
saving of 3 of mill on the dollar O
assessed valuation.
Aside from all this, the state is re
/ ceiving more revenues outside of direc
taxation than ever before. Inc new
laws are bringing le>e-:y increased fee
/ to the offices of the auditor ard score
tary of state. The collateral inherit
ance tax law Is already producing owe
$4,000 year. and when it gets int,
i good working order, and all the count,
attorneys fully understand their dutie
in its enforcement, it will produce tw
or three times as much.
! 1t seems pretty certain that stat
institutions are not going to cost s.
much for a few years to come. TIL
board of control may ask for a goo,
deal of money next year, but 1t is saw
ing a matter of 100000 year in tn
cost of maintenance, and will pay mos
of it's extra expenses out of this saving
The general belief is that next year vii
see about 3 of a mill more clipped OF
the levy. and that the state taxes vii
remain permanently at about tina
point.
With the levy made for 1900, 1t Is be
lieyed a considerable increase will b
( made In the state surplus, and this ma,
enable the legislature to still furthe
reduce the amount for which the lev,
i will be made.
4 Peculiar Case In Court.
/ Special to Times-Republican