The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-19
HOTEL LOBBY GLEANINGS
JOHN c. wINGATE COMMENDs TOWN.
SHIP ASSESSORS LAW.
He Thinks These Officers Are Entitled
TO More Pay-Interurban Lines
Hotel Stories.

1.-The people of Indiana are to be congrat-
ulated on at least one salary-increasing
measure that was passed by the last Legis-
lature." said John c. Wingate, state tax
commissioner, who was in the city yester-
day. at refer to the bill increasing the
compensation of township assessors. The
good effects of that law are already appar-
ent in the increased energy with which the
assessors over the State are taking up their
work. and, while it means that the State
will pay out several thousand dollars
year In additional salaries to them, the
State will gain several times that amount
from the improved assessment work.
1.-THE new law gives the assessor 80 cents
day additional in townships Of 5000 pop
ulation or under, and a salary of 500
year and SIS for every additional thousand
population in townships of from 5000 TO
10000. The increase is not large to the indi-
vidual but it shows him that his work is
considered of some Importance, and encour-
ages him to believe that his services are
appreciated. He thinks now that II he
makes a better showing his Office will be
considered even more valuable and made
more remunerative, and consequently Is go
ing TO work early and late.
a marked improvement in the work of the
assessing officials of the State is the recent
decision of the Supreme Court in the De
Kalb county case to the effect that the
county assessor. auditor and treasurer are
entitled to their per diem Of SO for their
services the county boards of review.
1t has been disputed question ever since
the law was passed as TO whether all the
titled 10 the per diem. or only those ap-
pointed by the judges. In most of the coun-
ties three members of the board, the as
SCISSOR, auditor and treasurer have been
serving without any additional compensa-
ton, and IL Is readily apparent why that
service would not be rendered as earnestly
as if these officers received compensation
for ii. Already we can see that these Off
Gals are taking a greater interest I'm their
work, and think am safe in saying that
nothing has been done in recent years that
Will do more to promote equalization of tax
alton and careful assessment than that de-
cision.
I'VE see the effect of this in the increased
attendance assured for the district meetings
which the State Tax Board will hold. These
| meetings are held to get the assessors Of
| neighboring counties together with their
assessment sheets to compare notes and
endeavor to work out a uniform system of
| assessment, particularly on real estate. Mr..
Martin and will hold these meetings to-
| to my districts, and l go with him to his.
Next week. beginning Monday, Mr.. Martin
will have meetings in Terre Haute, Tuesday
| In Huntingburg, Wednesday In Bedford,
/ Thursday in Columbus, Friday in Corners
Vile, and Saturday in Lawrenceburg. The
| following week. beginning Monday April q.
| l will hold meetings in Lafayette. Tuesday
| in Fort Wayne, Wednesday in Anderson.
| Thursday in Charlottesville, Friday in
South Bend, and Saturday in Logansport
There is one other gratifying thing in
| connection with the new law increasing the
| salaries of the township assessors and the
| decision of the Supreme Court giving the
| ex-officio members of the boards of review
| their per diem, and that is that in many of
| the counties of the State the county coun-
/ ellis have already met and made the addi-
4 ttonal appropriations to provide for the ex-
/ ira money for taxing officials. They have
| been prompt to meet the situation, and
| their action is having an excellent effect.
| I'm fact, / have never seen the time when
| all the taxing officials of the State were
| taking such an interest in their work and
| manifesting such disposition to render
| the State the very best possible service.
| The people of the State are certainly to be
| congratulated on this condition OF affairs,
| and the officials should certainly be COM
/ mended for their jealous devotion to duty.
| l am sure we will have the best assessment
/ this year that we have had since I have
/ been on the State Board"