The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-05-03
STUDYING TAXATION
Tax Commissioners Gathering
information for Their Work.
Several Mankato Citizens Confer With
Them on Various Features of
Tax Methods.

II. W. Childs, w. J. Hahn and G.
S. Ives, members of the state tax com
mission which was created by the las
legislature, visited Mankato Tuesday
and made their headquarters at the
commissioners room at the cour
house, where a number of our citizens
called and conferred with them upOr
matters connected with the subject Of
taxation. The members of the com
mission are most agreeable gentlemen
and pursue their work of gathering in
formation in a most informal manner.
Their idea is to get the views of the
people as to the working of the pre-
sent system of taxation, and wherein il
might be improved. The commission
goes upon the theory, which is wise
one that much valuable information
as to taxation can be picked up here
and there among the people. What
they are after is to find as fully as
possible the experience of the people
in the different sections of the state in
the assessments, levying and collection
of taxes, and the workings from the
enforcement of the law regarding de-
linquencies.
Shortly after 8 80 0 clock this fore
noon the committee on taxation of the
the board of trade, consisting Of Judge
Cray, Thos. Hughes, NJ. G.. Willard
and G. n. Andrews put in an appear
ance and had a conference Of an hour
and half with the commission in
which different phases of the tax sys-
tenn were discussed.
Judge Cray set the ball rolling by
suggesting to the commission the pro-
priety of making provision whereby
special assessments in cities where de-
linquent can be collected through the
county authorities. He thought it
would save much trouble and prevent
their dragging along through num-
Der of years as has been the case in
this city. Mr.. Hahn thought that could
be done at present, and cited the case
of Minneapolis, where he said it work
ed well. Mr.. Cray said il might pos
sibly be done, but there was no author
ity for it by state law and if the
county authorities declined to handle
it, it would fail by default. Mr.
Hahn admitted that the question had
never been raised in Minneapolis,
as the county had always been willing
to attend to it. He thought it the best
way to collect them, as it caused less
trouble in looking after titles. A per-
son naturally went to the court house
to look after his title of property, but
no one thought of going to the city
offices. The county record might be all
rightand there might be delinquent
special assessment against it for
quite a sum.
Mr. W lizard spoke of the matter of
assessments and the prevailing in
equality existing between different
towns in county. He thought the
work Of assessment could best be made
by county assessor. He would not
be interested in any particular locality,
and being paid, as he should be to de-
vote all his time to it, would be in a
position to inform himself and do bet
ter work The chances of equality all
through county he thought would be
much better. Mr. Hahn asked Mr..
Willard if he thought county assessor
would ensure better assessment than
would county supervisor of assessors.
Indiana, he said, had the latter, and
it works well there. Under his super
vision assessors are instructed as to
the making of assessments and works
for the securing of equality among
the various townships. Mr. Willard
said that he had not thought particu-
larly of this feature, and didn't know
but it might work we'll. Thought
it would be an Improvement over the
present system, but was not prepared
to say as to whether it would be bet
ter than county assessor
Mr.. Ives asked Mr. Willard if he had
any suggestion to make as to the as
sessment of merchandise. Mr.. Willard
said he had not given that subject
enough thought to pass judgment on.
He did not see how the assessor could
do otherwise than rely on statement
of merchants, unless he himself were
an expert.
Mr.. Hahn asked if he would favor a
law compelling property owner to
list all his property for the assessor,
and in event of his failure to do so,
bringing him before proper authorities
and subjecting him to an examination.
Mr.. Willard said he thought it would
be good move.
The question of personal property
delinquents was touched upon and the
commission inquired of Mr. Hughes
if he had any change to suggest in
the method of collection. He replied
that he thought it worked well, and
had been enforced very successfully in
this county. Judge Cray also thought
the system had W orked we'll and he
would not change it. The custom of
sending out notice by postal card of
the amount of tax due, and time when
it becomes delinquent was referred to
and it was strongly commended by
Mr.. Childs. who said he believed it
should be provided for by state law.
The matter of real estate delin-
quents and tax judgments were discus