Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1903-12-08
L"TAX
REMEDY

and have observed the effect Of many
laws enacted by our legislatures fol
the purpose of bringing about a fair
listing Of all property subject to as
sessment and taxation in this State. A
great many taxpayers, in nearly al
stations of life, have talked with us
about the prevailing practice of ovad.
ing ass Jssment, and the consequences
that follow. They generally consider
that tho present habit Of prevarication
in listing assessable property is a mis-
chief hat most seriously retards our
advancement, and that it more than
overcomes all our efforts made at the
public expense and by private enter
prise to induce immigration to our
State. That our tax-rolls show scarce
ly a tenth OF the real value of our
property, and as it is upon the amount
Of this low valuation Of prop.
erty, as shown on the assessment
rolls that our tax rates are levied, our
tax rates appear TO be high and exc
bitant to people coming to the Pacific
coast; and as a consequence many are
deferred from locating in our State.
II all property were assessed and
listed at its true cash value 1t would
not require anyone to pay a greater
sum than he nov pays; but, on ac-
count of new properties which would
be added to the roll which now es-
cape taxation, many would not be
compelled TO pay as much taxes as
they do now. Many frankly admit that
they stretch their conscience some
WHAT in givingin a listo property tothe
assessor, and that they aim to emit
from their list as much property as
their %noighbor, accordingto custom, will
omit from his assessment. That they
would cheerfully list all their proper
ty 1T it's true cash value If all other
property were assessed in the same
manner. That they desire to bear
their just proportion Of the public ex.
penses, but, under the present prac.
tice, IL they listed their property fair.
ly, they would be compelled to pay
more than their just share. That while
they are willing to do their part to
ward the payment OF taxes yet they
are determined TO do no more. We
find the people unanimous in the de.
sire for good government, and that
they are willing to pay their just pro.
for its maintenance.
This notorious usage Of tax dodg.
Ing" has become @ most virulent ulcer
upon our body polite. An Oregon
tax-roll is the eighth great wonder OF
the world, It's study proves to one that
conscience has been often discarded,
and that many must surely trust that
thei Maker on that final day Of judg-
ment in casting up the final account
Of their deeds done on this earth will
to c a these ~tax-rolls. The
reckless name I'm which the proper.
ties owned are forgotten by many when
assessor calls on them is remarkable
While It is true that people know
quite generally that thore is a habi..
nal evasion Of the assessment laws to
a certain degree, yo' few have but a
faint conception of the extent to
which this practice is carried, unless
they personally examine the tax-rolls.
II newspapers Of each county would
a list OF each taxpayers prop
erty, as given to the assessor, it would
strike many a good and well meaning
with CONSERVATION, and we
would find that the tax-roll OF next
year year would be increased many.
fold over that Of our present year.
Publicity is the only remedy to bring
about a true reform In this matter.
Adequate laws may be enacted upon
any subject, yet II they are improperly
enforced or executed they will not &c.
complish the purpose for which they
are intended. II the people are kept
Ignorance as to the manner in
which an officer performs the duties
imposed upon him by law, and the
people are also kept in ignorance OF
The evasion OF such laws by those
duty II is to observe them. hen
favorites ward strikers. political
bosses, and INSCRIPTIONS persons will
svade our laws with impunity. Dark.
is a most favorable place to breed
microbes and foster deadly germs OF
disease, and sunlight is their deadly
Zoe. SO secrecy in our body polite
ends to produce an unhealthy condi,
ion and creates a most favorable op.
lortunity for the breeding Of fraud
corruption, and their u~nrelenting
is publicity, Turn the sunlight OF
facts upon public abuses and the
will force It's perpetrators to
iesist The people demand an honest
administration OF public and nrivate