, 1903-02-18
TAX PUBLICITY.

Since President Roosevelt has taken
such strong ground. in favor Of public
ity a cure fortrust and other evils, many
people have been making application
of the panacea to various affairs Of
government. Bill Barrow Of the
Douglas Budget is of the opinion that
publicity would cause a cessation Of
tax-dodging. II We could all see In
cold type Just what our neighbors g
being assessed upon there is no Ques-
ton but that it would go a long way
toward bringing about absolute equal
ity. IL we knew our schedule Wera to
be closely scanned by friends and
enemies, it is altogether probable we
would be a little more particular In
making an accurate return. The dis
cussion of the lists in the counties
would certainly have a beneficial eff
feet and tend to equalization. Under
the present system the public has no
way of making an investigation unless
each individual taxpayer goes to the
county seat and examines the books
in the treasurer's Office, which Is en-
tirely impracticable.
Perhaps President Harrison came
nearer being right upon all public
questions than any other man who ever
occupied the presidential chair. In an
address delivered in the city Of Chi
cago Feb. %, 1898, he said:
We have too much treated the mat
ter Of a mans tax return u . personal
matter. We have put his transaction
with the state On much the same level
with his transactions with his banker.
but that is not the true basis. Each
citizen has a personal interest. q PEG
uniary interest, in the tax return of his
neighbor. We are members of q great
partnership. and it is the right of each
to know what every other member is
contributing to the partnership and
what he is taking from 1t. 1t il not a
private affair, but . public C OF
the first Importance"
In the same address, in speaking OF
inequality, Mr.. Harrison used the fol.
lowing language. '"It is easy to Q how
this offense against morality and pa
triotism has grown to such proportions
The very sense that inequality is in
justice has promoted 1t. One man sees
that his n%eighbor Is not making a con.
scientious tax return and that II he re
turns property honestly he will pay
disproportionately. The result is that
va conscience finds q salve in the
say" Everybody does it"
No one can deny that great good
would be accomplished through such q
important one to be considered,
Printers must be paid for their work,
of course. We have some light upon
this subject. johnson county, Mo.
Just prior to the assessment in June
1901, adopted the plan Of publishing
the total personal assessment Of each
taxpayer for the preceding year. The
same thing was done just prior to the
assessment in 1902. The first publica
ton cost $3.50 and the second $3.50
The results were astounding. The az
gregate value as of June 1, 1900. was
$2,367.s5s; June I, 1901. $2.5ss,0 OBS
June 1. 1902, $2.72s.1so. In round
numbers. publicity increased the value
of the personal property Of this one
county in the state of Missouri $3.50,
900. Assuming that the tax rate is
per cent, this would bring = return to
the county Of $1,000 per annum for an
investment Of perhaps $500 per annum
in the item Of printing. But laying the
question Of expense aside. is it not de.
sirable that equality between the PEG
pie should exist? We would be hap
pier and live together on terms Of am
ity and goodfellowship. at least in the
matter Of TAXATION.
Az The Republican has said before.
u nan who makes . false return to
~ Assessor ro6s his nAghbor Just ~
osstafnly ~ though he hAd and-
basggsd him b - amy.
We caanot hEve TOO much publicity
II - NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
My H1ussltcaa . esats . month.