Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-02
REVENUE LAW REVISION.

state and In the counties, towns and school
districts through which the railroads pass
is what the people want and will have or
there will be lots OF trouble in store for
somebody.
Tekamah Herald: II II is the tax shirker
that the legislature is after, nothing would
catch them as quick ne a law similar to
Illinois, which requires the county clerk
to publish the assessment of each and
every person. In this way they can be
brought to time before the Board OF Equal
ization. For failure TO list all property a
heavy fine or imprisonment is attached. II
is easy to get them IL this method is en-
acted into law.
Dodge Criterion. We have never yet
seen any argument presented why prop
erty should be assessed for less than its
actual value. The total assessment would
be much larger, but the tax levy would be
lower to raise the same amount CT rev.
enue. Besides, all property would then
pay its just proportion of the taxes. Each
county would pay state tax according to
property. II is the only fair and equal
way Of assessment, but Of course must be
general.
Hastings Republican; The Republican
believes the hue and cry for revenue re-
vision is raised by the corporation lobby
and its news boosters in an attempt to d.
vert the attention Of the public from an
attempt at a strict enforcement Of the
present law and the few minor amend
ments needed, and that the session will
either be spent in airing personal views
OF wide divergence, or in the event OF the
passage Of a new law there will be found
in its enforcement the usual loophola for
the escape of the franchised corporations.
A strict enforcement Of the present plain
law would place these corporations on an
equal basis Of taxation with the small
property holder, who has always borne the
heavier burden, and until some tax re-
former points out the defects Of the old
law and not the manner In which It is
evaded we shall tend to the view that
there is much ado over nothing.
Arapahoe Mirror: The Nebraska legisla-
ture seems to be making real effort now 10
amend the revenue laws of this state. There
is certainly nothing needed In Nebraska in
the line Of legislation more than a change
in tho present revenue law; and this does
not mean that the whole law be radically
changed, but certainly some amendment
will be made that will compel the assess
ment of property at its real value. It
seems, too, that the state and county boards
Of equalization should be given more power
than Is conferred by the present law. The
other features of the present law seem to
be all that is required. There has been an
effort in the legislature for the past sew
eral years to amend the law, but some in
terest has always been strong enough to
block any remedial legislation. Just what
that is seems a mystery to most people, be-
cause everybody has realized the necessity
for a change. If the present members fail
to do their duty in the matter they will
probably hear from the people who have
elected them to represent them in the law
making body.
Fairfield Herald; 1t may be expected
that the revenue laws Of the state will be
considerably amended at this session Of
the legislature. Tn plan to provide for
county assessors and to give added powers
to boards of equalization on review of as
sessments to raise or lower the aggregate
Of assessed valuation meets with favor.
TIL small property holder has probably
paid his share Of taxes all the years, the
shortage in the revenues comes from
property that escaped the attention Of the
assessor, and from delinquent taxes stretch
ing ali the way back since Nebraska be-
| Cdunc a 6tdlc. DuI lueTG Is n WlQeT view
Of this revenue matter, and that is to assess
all property as the law ~contemplates, al
its fair cash value in the first instance,
thus showing up the resources Of the state
at something like what they really are and
at the same time reducing the percentage
rate Of taxation on the dollar in the same
proportion. AS it is now, Nebraska shows
up poor in assessed valuation and with a
rate of taxation as high, OF even higher
than the current interest rate, enough to
appall the eastern investor who in his
Ignorance of the facts naturally takes the
official statements OF assessed valuations
each year as correct. If this legislature
succeeds in providing a fairly satisfactory
remedy for the present ridiculous made
quacy Of the annual precinct assessors
returns it will be a great step forward fol-
the state and entftle the lawmakers who
accomplished 1t to some consideration fol
one good piece Of work which had long
awaited attention.
Neigh Leader: A casual glance at thu
condition Of the Nebraska state treasury
would warrant the assumption that the
present large floating debt Of the state II
due TO extravagant appropriations. Will,
this may be true in a few instances, yet &
by no means solves the problem. The cause
lies deeper. While the state has been grow
ing in population and wealth, and the cos
Of government largely and naturally in
creased, yet the fact is patent that thu
valuation for purposes of taxation, as re-
turned by the assessors, shows a gradua
and steady decrease for a number Of years
While state expenses have necessarily be,
come larger, the source Of revenue has di
minished. The Leader is not favorable I,
any measure that will give a large Fictitious
valuation for revenue purposes, yet it 4
forced TO the conclusion that some mean
for raising the assessment to a figure tina
will yield sufficient revenue for state pur
poses, under an economical administra
tion, is not only wise. but absolutely nee
essary. The present condition can not g
on forever, for while at present the credi
Of the state is OF the best, a continuation
Of the policy Of the past few years will Il
the end reach the climax Of state bank
ruptcy. This is the situation as presente
to the members Of the state legislature
and happily they seem to appreciate
fully, and are planning to curtail expendi
lures to the lowest possible limit, and q
the same time enact needed revenue legis
iation. To what extent they will be sue
eessful cannot now be outlined, but man
ifestIy they are sincere in their purpose.
Senator'S and the PeOuIa.