The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-08-29
MINOR. Is HOPEFUL
l|.0F LOWl.TAX RATE.
CITY ASSESSOR DISCUSSES THE
WORK OF HIS OFFICE. s
Ninety-fve per Cent of Taxpayers Next
I, Year Will Pay Less Because 5 per
Gent Will Pay More This YEAR Just
Returns from AL Would Mean ! per
Cent Rate. ...., .~~ r.,.,.gr,,.. ,7r ..

City, Assessor G., j.. Minor finds a
great load lifted off his mind by the
confirmation of the assessment rolls for
1906, but his troubles are not over,
even tho his official work is done.
The radical innovations introduced
by Mr.. Minor for the purpose Of equal
lzing the assessments have not met
with much good will in, certain quar-
tiers, and he has been subject ito much
personal abuse for his official conduct
during the last six months. They have
been the most strenuous months of his
life, and, altho not entirely satisfied,
Mr., Minor believes that long step
in advance has been attained.
, Good Start Is Made. . .,
In speaking of the matters of assess.
s ms9t and taxation N: today, Mr.. Minor
IN. N. m. N
follow with statement already up
The office Of assessor is not pleas
ant one to fill. People are sensitive
about their pocketbooks,, and the tax
man is always unpopular if he tries
to- do anything like his duty. I have
t tnfss to TO do NINE and Sna haze no ap9l
ored to find all that. I could Of the
wealth Of this city which the law re-
quires to be assessed for taxation. i
wish I could find all Of it. It would
mean tax rate Of per cent. Ninety
five per cent of the people will, on the
present assessment, pay less taxes next
year, while the other 5 per cent will
lieve will work speedily for a greater
and more prosperous city. 49, 49,. 49,
1.-The raise in valuation this year re-
suits from assessing taxable property
which has heretofore been omitted or
underassessed, and is merely an attempt
to put the burden where it belongs I'M
der the law, and to relieve those who
have too long been forced to pay other
peoples taxes.
Big Ones Feel Increase.
"'Some say the county will have to
pay too much of the state tax. That
is not true. The property. is here and
only the big tax dodgers will feel the
pie, approve of my efforts, I shall be
satisfied, altho a few individually may
be angry at being compelled to pay more
taxes as a result. They owe these taxes
to the community. They have made
their big fortunes here under the pro-
lection of the laws. ;. The courts, police,
health and property protection, the
schools and educational institutions,
and the many comforts and advantages
which are enjoyed by every citizet,
cost money to maintain. I believe the
man in moderate circumstances has paid
more than his share in the past, and /
have tried to the extent of my resources
under the law to remedy this condi-
ton, and to be fair with all; -:
"Honest property returns have been
o. iofo OIL no -1xr
the assessor I believe it is the duty
of every citizen: to help the assessor to
find the property which is unlawfully
best, imperfect, but I. think our laws
ought to be changed. This Can oniyy
be done by adopting the constitutional
amendment this fall; every good cii'ttfz
zen ought to vote for it: as 20
Stands Much Abuse. S<
IT have had to stand some abuse
this year, that is the only }perduisite Of
/ my office. Just as soon, howeyers asi it
/ vas found that we were determined to
Of the big ones as we'll as small, twas
gratifying to find how many people
came in and made voluntary disclosures
which the assessor might not have
found. They said they: were glad to
disclose as long as every body was be-
ing treated alike. The movement ought
to be, and I believe will be, approved
by the majority Of taxpayers. ,.1,,.r
: HThe members Of the city board of
equaliza ton are entitled to the thanks
Of the people. Their efficient work this
year, without which mine would have
been Ineffective, means larger m easufe
Of equality in taxation than heretofore.
To accomplish the full results for which
we have aimed, however, there should
be reduction of city expenses. be-
lieve in cutting every department down
to the point Of efficient service. Many
thousands Of dollars can be saved in
expenditures, and I hope and believe
the board Of tax levy will do its best
in this regard.''