The Caucasian., 1907-01-17
ASSESSMENTS OF PROPERTY
inequalities in Assessments of Taxable
Property Not the Fault of the Law.

The Monroe Star says: The subject
of taxation is attracting general atten-
ton and several governors, inaugurated
during TIE past week, have specially
directed that the members of the legis-
latures deal fairly and honestly with this
all-important matter. Great inequalities
exist as to the valuation of property,
and often, very often, the large and in
fiuential property owner escapes paying
his lust taxes. 1t has been suggested
that the law be so amended as to enable
the assessor to require the taxpayer to
give under oath all his realty and hold
ings whatsoever at its true money value,
the assessor to take testimony of Others
touching the value of property and sub
NIT the whole report to the board of
equalization, by whom the valuation
shall be finally fixed Also fix the pen
atty for perjury severe, and the only
evidence necessary to convict shall be
the signature of the taxpayer and the
statement of the assessor that the sig
nature is genuine.
I'VE are aware the law now says
property shall be assessed at its cash
value, and the owner makes oath that
he has given in his property at its cash
value. But this is looked upon by many
as mere formality-words without
meaning and without effect At least
this appears to be the case, for an in
spection Of the assessors rolls will show
that almost all property is assessed at
not much more than one-half its actual
cash value. This ought not to be. 1t is
wrong, dishonest and unworthy of a
people who pride themselves on their i'll
tegrty, and who, in all else save assess
ment matters, are scrupulouSly honest,
Indignantly resenting the slightest in
sinuation that they would do dishonest
act or make false statement. The
fixed policy of the parish OF Ouachita
is to assess all realty at 90 per cent of
its cash value While this is contrary
to law, it would not be so bad were it
strictly adhered to, but it is not. Many
large property owners. those owning de-
sirable town lots, are not assessed at
much more than 10 per cent of its sell
ing price.
There are many inequalities in the
assessments of taxable property which
are to be regretted, but it is not the
fault of the law. The law provides that
all assessments of real estate and tan
gible personal property, bonds and Sc
eurities, except furniture and household
goods to the value of $500, shall be as
sessed at their actual cash value, and
when this is not done the property OWL
er is plainly and deliberately evading
the law and certifying to false state
ment. Many owners place ridicriously
low value on their real estate and Sc
curities when giving them in to the as
SCISSOR and others do not value their fur
niture and household goods at one-fifth
their actual cost.
There is work for the Board of
Equalization.
The Monroe Star is right These in
equalities are general throughout the
State The inequalities in the assess
ment of taxable property in Caddo par
ish, including Shreveport, is amazing, as
is disclosed by an examination of the
record. All assessments should be equal
lied fairly according to their value. The
Monroe Star is right in its declaration
of incontrovertible fact that the ine-
qualities in the assessments of taxable
property is not the fault of the law Upon
the assessors there must rest the respon
sibilities of the under-assessment of de-
sirable and valuable property.