The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1907-07-18
A TRUE REMEDY
IS NEEDED
Constitutional Amendment Will
Relieve Taxpayers.

Business Men Make Convincing Argu.
nents to the Tax Commission OF
ohio-They Favor Classification Of
Property.
When representatives Of boards Of
trade of Ohio cities made combined
appeal to the Tax Commission of Ohio,
last month, for relief from injustice of
the present tax laws, they came forti-
fed with arguments that were prac-
tically dnanswerable.
Below are given excerpts from the
arguments made to the commissions:
Edward L. Buchwalter of the Spring
field Commercial club:
This is an important subject and
realize how difficult 1t is to suggest
changes under our present state consti-
tuition that would be legal that would
remove the many unjust features Of our
present tax laws and that would make Il
possible for taxpayers to submit tax re-
turns that would be reasonably accurate
anu just W ttl lDl tNpttN W HhN''SN-
fully revise and perfect our tax laws un-
I'll we amend our state constitution. The
constitutional provisions for taxing prop
erty enacted more than 80 years ago are
not adapted To present conditions We
should amend the constitution and give
to our legislative body the power to enact
tax laws.
Chas. U. Shryock of the GAINESVILLE
Chamber of Commerce:
II is well that this commission should
hear an exhaustive discussion OF tho
matter. and let their recommendations
be such as will appeal to the common
sense of the voter. who must Of necessity
decide what shall be done. II our consti-
tuition is to be changed. But don't pro-
pose elasticity. Let the lines be straight
the rules rigid, and not a lot of open
questions to be decided or new method
left for each legislature to juggle with
and the courts to. pass upon.
While opposing elasticity, l favor pub
licity. II attached to our present tax
laws was a provision for the publication
of every tax return, there would be less
cause of complaint. The most successful
churches are those which publish a list
of contributors; and they are only volun-
tary associations How much more i'm
portant is the amount which every prop
erty owner must contribute toward the
cost OF government.
c. A. Malone of the Chillicothe
Board of Trade:
with the purpose in mind of represent
ing as fully AZ possible the views ana
sentiments Of the merchants and manu-"
fscturers of our locality. l addressed a
communication to several gentlemen ask
ing 10 be advised of any thoughts OF
suggestions In relation to taxation.
II is unanimously agreed among them
that the taxing system OF Ohio is a most
deplorable failure, when II comes tn ac-
complishing the purpose for which II IL
intended-the raising Of sufficient reve-
nue. for the needs of the state In just
and equal proportion from each and all
OF its citizens.
We are perfectly willing and feel safe
in submitting the whole matter to the
good judgment OF your commission.
II in your wisdom, after being fully ad-
vised in the premises. you shall find that
our state constitution should he so
amended as to exempt certain kinds Of
property from taxation to encourage and
increase business and for the general
good l am fully confident your action
will be approved and the recommends
tion cheerfully and heartily supported by
those whom ] represent provided certain
property interests In our state which are
not now paying any taxes at all are
made to bear their Just proportion OF the
governmental expenses by proper taxa
ton.
X. l.. Coburn of the Salem Business
Association:
Amend the constitution so that prop
erty may be classified for taxation pur-
poses.
Put money notes. mort lges bonds
etc. which are listed at their nominal or
face value on fiat rate OF not to eK-
ceed 10 mills on the dollar.
Separate state and local taxes.
Formulate new board to list all prop
erty In the county whether II belongs to
a corporation, firm or individual, rail-
road, streetcar company or steamship
line. Give them sufficient authority TO
insure the listing of all property In each
county, have II listed I'm n uniform man
ner In each county, and abolish the Of
fees OF assessor and board of equaliza-
tion.
Limit the rate that local officials can
tax listed property to about one half the
present statutory authorty-and when
you are not too busy com over to Salem
and be entertained by the Business Asso-
citation OF Salem, o., and we will all be
conten..
F. A. Hartenstein, Youngstown
Chamber of Commences:
II is generally supposed that the con-
cealers OF taxes are the corporations
want 10 say TO you that in Mahoning
county the corporations, as a rule, do not
conceal their taxes. II Is the private
Individual, The corporations In Mahon-
ing county I think return their credits
for taxation at pretty fair, equitable