The Portland daily press., 1899-04-29
Interview With State
Assessor Pottle.
Reduce Expenses Only Way To
Lower Taxes.
urx0IAL TO TIE r1nMsl

Augusta, April ~ a-hecently IN an
open letter to q Scarboro man, Governor
Powers stated that he was in favor of re-
vision and equalization of the tax system
In Maine Among other things he said
"There has been such an imitation OF
val uation by the state assessors that the
tax is already bur,iensome.
This statement of the governor has
called forth great deal of discussion,
and much criticism. 1t 10 not believed BY
those who are best acquainted with the
matter that there has been an imitation
of the state valuation and that the cause
of high taxes and discomfort in Maine In
relation to the present condition Of state
affairs. is due to this cause, but to other
causes, ono of which has been the great
increase in the state expenses.
In 1889 the biennial app ropriation
male by the legislature was $2,S53, 600 SO.
In 1899 the biennial appropriation was
"a, $40, 522.7i, an increase in ten years OF
fifty two per cent.
In speaking of this matter the Hon.
George Pottle. one of the members Of the
state board of assessors, said to the
PRESS correspondent today:
The question OF taxation in this state
bids fair to be the all absorbing topic of
discussion during the coming two years,
and doubtless will claim the early atten-
ton of the legislature of 1901.
The olaf IN is commonly made that the
railroads, street railroads, and other
corporations directly taxed by the state
are not fairly taxed in proportion TO other
property in the state that is taxed locally
for state. county and municipal expenses
In the closing weeks of the legislative
session the past winter, several measures
were offered looking to an increase of GER
tain corporation taxes, but all were Ie-
ferred to the next legislature.
The greatest obstacle in the way Of tax
reform Is the tendency everywhere to in
crease the public expenditures. The ex-
penses of the state have increased very
rapidly during the present decade. The
| biennial appropriations of the legislature
of 1899 providing for the expenditures of
the state for the years 1899 and 1900 show
an increase of tfty-two per cent above
the appropriations of ths legislature Of
1889, which provided for the expenditures
of the state for the years 1883 and 1890.
| 1t is idle 20 expect "a lower tax rate in the
face Of an initiation of fifty two per cent
in the expenditures of the state in ten
years.
The present state valuation as fixed Wy
the state board OF assessors, which is the
basis of state taxation, shows a moderate
increase over previous years, being six
and one half per cent higher than In 1890.
A majority Of the towns are valued lower
by the state than in 1890 and this is
especially true Of the agricultural towns.
The valuation of the state Is revised and
equdlized every two years, prior to the
meeting of the legislature. Local valua-
tions have inore ased in greater ratio
than has the state valuation, being n
1895 an average of eleven and one-half per
cent greater than In 1890.
The state as whole Is slowly but sure
ly increasing in property and wealth,
while some rural sections are making no
progress. but rather losing ground. On
show marked increase and growth OF
taxable property thlrty-three of the
towns and cities showing according to
the valuation of city and town assessors
in 1898 com bined increase since 1890 OF
s2s. .o0o, 900.
Railroad building, both of steam and
trolley has opened up and improved new
territory and the prospects are good for a
considerable increase during the next few
years. Laundering operations are more
prodtabl and the manufacturing in
dustries OF the state are more prosperous
than fer several years. The general busi'
ness Improvement throughout the country
is being felt In Maine. AS before men,
toned, the tendency to increase public
expenses, and the prospective higher tax
alton, is a handicap to the development OF
the state
The only safeguard against excessive
taxation in this state is the exercise of a
rigid economy in state, county and
municipal affairs. Increased expenditures
mean higher taxes; It cannot be evaned.
Payment may be deferred but the burden
must hnally be met by taxation. You
may revise your tax laws; but high taxes
are still with you. No taxation is SO
unjust as needless taxation; it compels
everyone TO pay more than fair share.
There is no fair share to unnecessary tax
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