The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-11-17

Mr. Smith was finally convinced AID
bought the lot.
He imme lately began to build his
house and within three months had one
of the most attractive homes in the
town.
While Mr.. and Mrs. Smith were
standing on the lawn, about week
after movins,; in, they were greeted by
an approaching gentleman with a
pleasant good morning, | see your
new house is completed and it certainly
is e beauty" "Yes, replied Mr.. Smith,
Il have tried to make it as attrac-
tive as possible, and / am very proud
of it,
1T is credit to the town. re-
turned the gentleman, land moreover,
it will increase the value of the va
cant lots adjoining you on each side
fully Is per cent; but to come down
to business, | am Mr.. Brown, the tax
assessor for Brookside, and | have
called to assess your property for pur-
poses OF taxation"
"Oh,, see." said Mr.. Smith.
YES" replied Mr.. Brown, chow
much did your house COST"
Five thousand dollars" answered
Mr.. Snn'tiA
"And the land ventafeaa. Mr..
Brown.
Fifteen hundred"
Making total Of $6,50O," said the
assessor. "You know, the law re-
quireS us to assess property at its
full market value. but it has been our
custom to assess it at about 80 per
cent of its market value, which in your
case, amounts to $4,000. Our tax rate
is pretty high here per cent-so
your tax will be s1O4 this year
AS stated above Mr.. Smith was
young and unsophisticated. He could
not understand it.
Why, what is that tax for?" he
asked.
My dear SIR replied the assessor,
this tax is to help maintain ali the
public Improvements we have in
the fine streets; electric
lights; fire and police protection; Ii
brary, ETC., and it costs money to keep
those things going"
But" protested Mr.. Smith, 1--we
already paid for them when / bought
this lot. / paid $1,000 cash. and the
real estate man told me was paying
for just those very things, and now
have | got to pay for them all over
again? And not only this year but
every year? Not only do have to Fay
twice over, but the burden of main
tenance seems to fall most heavily on
those who benefit the community the
most by improving their lots and add
Ing ta~ihas= wealth of the towns You
said few moments ssgsa that the va
cant lots on each side of mine. WOuIl
increase % per cent in value, but the
owners haven't lifted finger to en-
title them to that increase"
Yes replied the assessor, call you
say is very true, but that is the law,
and my duty requires me to assess
according to the law, and not
Moreover I haven't told
you that our custom is to assess vacant
land at only about 20 per cent of it's
value, which encourages the withhold
ing of land for speculation. While it
Is true that the law requires the as
of all property at it's full and
true value there isn't city or town
N the United States where it is DONE
II it were, the law wouldn't stand fivel
minutes. Some people think the best
way to repeal bad law is to enforce
It to the letter, and no doubt there is
more truth than poetry in that claim, |
out since you seem interested in this
subject would suggest that you at 7
end the meetings of the Brookside Sin
gle Tax League.
"They believe no one should be taxed |
or producing wealth of any kind,
whether it be houses, coats, machin-
cry, watches or what not; that the
more we have of these things the bet
er off we are and that to tax them is
% discourage their production"
1--WE heard about hose cranks," said !
Mr. Smith, 'they want to make every
,ody rich by dividing up the land;
We no patience with such foolishness."
Hold on Bit" answered the asses
or, "you we're never more mistaken in