Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-10
where the Remedy Lies.

AOQlLOT NehlOu buB5tobS no - SS
remedy that the State Board of Equaliza-
ton be given enlarged powers in the mat
ter OF dealing with returns from counties.
failing in which, or some other adequate
remedy. he suggests that the total amount
which the state can levy for taNe& he
raised to 6.5 or I pills. A hasty glance
at the pages Of his report discloses some
of the eccentricities practiced by tho
county assessors in fixing values. For eX-
ample, the grand assessment rLn OF the
state for 1902 shows that the Improved
lands of the state are set down at an
average value of $3.15 per acre. and this
at a time when farm land is selling at from
$40 to SIS per acre right along. Unim-
proved land is set down at an average Of
$I.l5 per acre. Accepting the theory that
these figures are based on a valuation OF
one fifth or one-sixth Of actual cash value,
the assessors are still far from the real
figures. Improved lots are listed at an
average OF S127.76 and unimproved at 1888.
Farm lands range in value from $lI.2al per
acre in Douglas county to so cents per
acre in Banner for improved, and from IS
In Burt to As cents in Banner for unim-
proved. In York county, where many sales
have been made during the last year at
good prices, the improved farm lands are
llbIeu LOT dAhliO AT an oNSiobN NA NH-
per acre, and unimproved lands at 1892.
Live stock Valuations.
In live stock values some equally start
ling figures are found. The lordly hog.
who wouldn't take less than 6 cents per
pound for himself any time these last
three years, and has generally fetched
more, is listed for taxation at an average
value OF S1.OS. He is most valued in Grant
county, where the assessors looked on him
as being worth Sl.64 on the average, and Is
lightest held in Deuel. comfy. where %
cents is the average price put on hogs
Cattle, Of which Nebraska furnishes thou
sands OF head for the packers each year,
selling as high as Z cents a pound, are
put down at an average value OF $3.50.
Grant county also thinks the most OF tho
steer, valuing him at an average Of 1873
for purposes OF taxation. and Perkins
county sets the lowest price on him. s1.3s.
The meek and lowly sheep is valued at an
average of 81 cents for the state, ranging
from 81 per head in Grant county to Al
cents in Dawes. Horses are worth SO:
on the assessors books, and mules ana
asses come at $3.50 each.
According to the assessors returns, the
average value Of a billiard table in Ne
braska is S12.26; OF carriages and wagons,
Sass; of watches and clocks, $l.69; Of
sewing machines. S2.72; of pianofortes,
$21 As, and of organs and melodeons, $4.9s.
The report doesn't say il this latter figure
is a marked down" price. All the gold
and silver and plated ware In the state IL
returned at 81, 391, and all the diamonds
and jewelry are listed at SIS, 1913. Many
similar items of peculiar i1eas on the part
Of assessors, who are instructed by the
statute to assess all property at its fair
cash value. can be found In the report.
other Interesting Facts.
In the statement Of suspended accounts
the total amount OF which is 1921, 1893, It
is noticeable that the largest single portion,
SS25, $3.50, stands opposite the name Of },
S.. BARLEY. other debtors and their re,
spective delinquencies are; First National
bank, Alma, s39, SS7.4s; Bank OF Wymorc
Sl4,965.57; Capitol National bank, Lincoln
S196, 1909; First National bank, Orleans,
$4,000; Globe Loan and Trust company,
Omaha, $l2, s92.54; Farmers and Merchants
bank. Lincoln, sS.7SlS5; Buffalo County Ma.
tional bank, Kearney, S3.99S. The total Il
suspended account November 80, 1900, wa
1921, 1896 Auditor Weston says payment
have been made to the extent OF So, 1894
This report shows the total estimated re
celpts for the fiscal period beginning April
1, 1903, aud ending March 81. 1905. baset
IN the actual collections OF the two year
preceding December l. 1902, to be S4.05s.
CSL75. The estimate Of total expenditure
,or the same period Is t4.746. 63s.6T.
Taxes Due and UnDAid.
In the summary of state taxes due frol