Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-16
OUR VALUATION.
Increase of $8,481,339 for
State Over 1902.
A Total Of 100 Maine Towns Are
Free from Debt.
Increasing Corporation Taxea-Fewer
Sheep and Bicycles.

The 18th annual report of the Board
of State Assessors was given to the
Governor and COUNCIL at the meeting
yesterday afternoon, and as usual it
contains many facts and figures of
much interest to the people of Maine.
The statistics submitted indicate
general prosperity and progress
throughout the State. The returns of
valuations as they existed Oh April LIST,
1909 received from the cities, towns
and plantations of the State, show a
total increase iii real estate amounting
to $5,S1S,275, and in personal estate
81, G63 ,C64, a total gain of SS,4Sl ,339 above
the amount returned in 1902. This is a
greater increase than has been recorded
in any one year since this Board was
established in 1891. In the 20 cities
of the State which contain an aggre-
gate valuation amounting to $144,3G3,9l4
the total increase is 81 400, 800, while the
towns and plantations with combined
valuation of S17S573,920, contribute a
gain of s6,G11 $3.50 In other words, the
20 cities, with ass per cent. OF the
total valuation contribute 2S.i per cent
of the total increase while the towns
and plantations with 54.5 per cent. of
the total valuation show 71.6 per cent.
of the total gain in valuation over 1902
The total number of polls returned is
200, 1873. an increase of 1879 above the
number returned in 1902, indicating
fair increase IN population.
Nearly every item of personal pro-
perty shows a total gain over 1907 In
money at interest and taxable
securities the increase is 1928, S54.; stock
in trade S390,521 bank stock S220906;
trust and banking companies stock
$685. 404; logs and lumber $196,264: wood
and bark $36,6I7; carriages sS,911;
musical instruments $S4,013, and furni-
ture s429Si. Corporation stocks not
classified show a loss in valuation of
$27 ,0O9. and the valuation of Shipping
has decreased s49,00S Bicycles, Il dis
appearing class of property, are valued
at SG4. 613 less than in 1902
The valuation of live stock is S693,oSi
greater than in 1902. The gains and
losses in numbers are as follows:
Horses and colts gain of 1887: oxen
2.527; COWS 1G,1S1 swine 3,465. Sheep
have decreased 11,735, and one. two and
three year-old cattle show loss of
3,S3S from last year.
Tie value of property exempted from
taxation has decreased $206. 1893. In
other words this amount, exempted
from taxation i'll 1902. is included in the
taxable lists the present year.
In 1896 the total vaIuat ion of prop
erty exempted from taxation was re-
turned as SS.l24.304. Since then there
has been steady decrease and the
amount returned the present year is
S1,32l.470.
The valuation of railroad property |
liable to local taxation shows "a gain of |
$14S.515 over 1902. Street railroad |
property s56.930. and the property of |
municipalities. not including school |
buildings. shows a gain of s353,73S.
Two hundred and thirty-one of the |
municipalities report lower tax rate /
than in 1902; 1873 a higher rate and As |
have the same rate as in 1902.
The average rate of taxation for the |
whole State for 1903 is, approximately
s2O25 on each $1,000 valuation. The |
average rate of taxation in the cities is
comewhat higher, being $21.21 on each
81 900 valuation.
The total municipal indebtedness of
the cities. towns and plantations is
S134.009 less than in 1902. One hun
bred and siXty-three of the municipal
ties report decrease in their. public
debt: 105 have increased their debt: Al
report the same debt. and 100 are free
from debt, several reporting a sur
plus in their treasury. The COM
bined public debt of the cities. towns
and plantations is 2..3 per cent of the
total valuation. None of the cities are
free from debt, their combined public