, 1906-01-10

neSSllke CONFERENCE U thC POSC az
of disagreeing. but of agreeing. Some
remedy should be provided. Let 1t be done
with fairness to all and hardship to none
Taxation.
The execution of our tax laws remains
unsatisfactory Inequality of valuations,
the escape of personal property and vari-
Gus forms of tax eyasions are intensifying
the dissatisfaction. Whatever theory may
be held as to the wisdom of taxing per-
sonal property, that subject is not a ques-
ton of debate so long as our constitution
requires it to be taxed. Personal property
has multiplied rapidly in the last decade
not only through increased production.
but through the various forms of bond
and stock issues. Our tax lev1es, how
ever, falsify this we'll known fact. This
per capita value of assessed personal prop
erty in 1879 was STA; in 1904 1t was $72.
This statement needs no The
assessed value of our real property in
creased from $427, 600, 900 in 1879 to 1912. 1872
594 in 1904, over 10 per cent. Our assessed
personal property In 1879 was $129, 900, 0001
and in 1904 $153, IA, 9s7. an increase of less
than 20 per cent.
According to the census reports and
other statistical data, we had at the last
census tangible personal property in the
state amounting to 1888, 000, 900, and to this
can be added intangible personal property
consisting of trust company, bank stocks
and insurance values amounting to $780,
900, 900, making the total over $3.50, 900, 900
as against an assessment of $l53. 244, 987.
and this does not include over 5000, 900, 900
of cash deposits, which some hold merely
represent other forms of property. APP
parently nearly $500, 0O0. 900 of tangible per-
sonal property escapes the assessor. This
is about so per cent of the present assess
ed valuations OF all property in the state
and if assessed should result in reducing
49, tav ratac 81 10 can't on tho mas
ent basis of expenditure. Real estate is
clearly bearing an unfair share of taxa
ton and persons of small means a larger
proportion of taxes than the we'll to do. A
vast deal of property now escapes through
lack of courage or through favoritism on
the part of officials.
The claim that it is impossible to find
and list property that now escapes the
tax assessors is the cry of incompetence.
What the census taker can find the as
SCISSOR surely can find. Recent events
have shown that other reforms once said
to be impossible can be accomplished.
Reform in this direction is no exception
to the rule. Massachusetts, which COM
pares with our state in many particulars,
finds $597 worth of personal property per
capita for assessment. New Jersey should
be able to find more than s72.
The lack of uniformity in valuations
and assessments is well known. This is
ldT6tly u W a . thdt dtPtUdo upOh
the varying judgments of 500 or more diff
ferent tax assessors with as many differ
ent views. In some states uniformity is
secured by a state board or a county
board making a complete valuation of all
property at periods of from three to five
years. Inequalities grow up in the in
term, but q readjustment of values cor
reefs these inequalities at each recurring
period of county or state assessment. The
adoption of some sucn method as this in
our own state is worthy of consideration.
Taxpayers and Tax Spenders.
The economical administration of state
affairs and the increase in the state reve-
nues under wise legislation have enabled
the state to assist in the relief of local
taxation. New Jersey does this with a
liberal hand. She is not only paying part
of the expenses of city and county, but
she contributes large sums that would
otherwise be raised through local taxes.
This year such aid to the various taxing
districts amounts to over 81, 800. 900. To
this should be added s4S5, 900, the proceeds
of the act of last year, taxing second
class railroad property at local rates,
making a total of over 81. 800, 600.
Nearly all of this annual return has
come within the last ten years, yet dur
Ing this period of increased income from
the state local taxes have increased
The taxpayer in the municipalities has a
right to ask to what purpose is this vast
sum contributed if he derives no benefits
therefrom in reduced tax bills. Our boast
ed system of corporate taxation fails if 1t
constitutes only an increased fund for
the tax spender and affords no dividends
to the taxpayer. There are 80 taxing dis
tricts in the state with tax rates between
81 and 81. 25. So with rates between s2.5 and
$3.50. % with rates between $3.50 and So, 20
with rates between 50 and $3.50 and 6 with
INTO ahnrn 2 < N -nfd IN rnN In
Rugural. the expenditures In twenty-six
cities in this state increased In ten years
70 per cent, while the valuations increased
only 10 per cent, so that such tax rates as
these. If valuations are honest and the
listing of ratables complete. mean confis-
cation of property. They must be capable
OF reduction with greater economy and
wiser business methods in municipal af-
fairs. Otherwise we are forced to the
confession that confiscation of property
Is necessary to raise the money to carry
on our municipal governments. That
economy Is possible Is shown in the case
of Hunterdon county. A change In the
method of management of county affairs
from that of a board of freeholders to q
more compact board of county commits
sioners has in one year resulted In a re-
duction of $40,0 900 in county expenditures.
If a reduction in expenses has been sue
cessfully accomplished In one place It Is
worthy of effort in others.
Taxation Of Main Stem.
The last legislature passed an act pro-
viding that second class railroad property
should be taxed at local rates and that
the revenue from this source should as
heretofore be turned into the treasures
of the municipalities where such property
Is situate. This Law increased by $485 200
the amount of taxes annually to be paid
by the railroads The same legislature, in