, 1904-03-26
SATURDAY, MARCH &c, 1904.
MORE BOOMERANG FIGURES.

In reply to an article in this paper
in relation to tax matters the Boom
erang says:
Last year Deputy Auditor
Niswander figured out the aver
g value of cattle as 1888 per
head. If, as the Republican
says. there is a reduction of 80
cents this year then cattle will
only be valued at $12.51 per
head"
Now, in the foregoing the Boone
rang does not make the honest reply
usually accorded a fair argument in
matters of this nature, but attempts
to bubble II distort. 1t quotes halt
the paragraph from The Republican
and from this makes its argument.
This Is what The Republican said:
"In the first place. the state
board has not raised the valua-
ton of cattle on an average Sc
per head. Deputy Auditor Mis-
wander has figured the classif-
cation of 1903 and 1904 carefully
and finds a net reduction this
year of 81 cents per head. How
ever. it is believed by the board
that the change in the classical
ton will cause a larger return
of the $40 class and a conse-
quent increase over the total
valuation of 1903. The state
ment that an increase of Sc per
head has beer made is not true"
The fair-minIed reader will at once
note that it is clearly and honestly
set forth in The Republicans article
that an increase, not a decrease is
expected. This increase will come
through the change in the classified
ton. By figuring the classification as
a whole, however, and comparing it
with hat of 1908, it will be found that
the figures show an average reduction
of 50 cents per head. The reason why
there will be an increase is easily seen
by those interested. Certain classi-
fications of young stock have been
eliminated and there will consequent
ly be a larger return of h $40 classi-
tication. Upon its own showing, the
charge of the Boomerang hat the val
uation of cattle had been increased
- ptT Hedu is entirely untrue.
In the Republican article it was
stated that "in the one isolated case
Of residence town lots and improve
ments it is probable that 60 per cent
may be a close figure and the
Boomerang was challenged to produce
figures substantiating its claim that
all the property of the state aside from
rai1rnal nrpnarfy vro nSSnSSp5 Dt ED
per cent. In reply. with a single eXcep-
ton, it cites property from town lots
and improvements. The exception is
a tract of lane that was taxed at a lit
tie more than 40 per cent of its selling
price.
Such arguments as the Boomerang
presents do not aid in arriving at a
solution OF the veXed question. What
the people ask for is equity. If the
Boomerang can show by actual figures
hat the great bulk of the property OF
the state is taxed ut 60 per cent of its
value, We would like to have it do so,
AS a member of the Albany county
board of equalization, The Republican
would be pleased to have the editor OF
the Boomerang use his influence to
lower the valuation of the homes OF
the poor men of this city that are now
taxed twice as much as other classes
of property. This particular class OF
property can be treated fairly and still
leave sufficient property upon which
to raise necessary evenue
10 repeat: By sticking to facts and
demanding equity from all our tax Off
GERS, much good al be accomplished