The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-01-25


ize and adjust to a true cash vaiue
those properties coming within its
Jurisdiction arises from the fact that
the law limits the corrective powers
Of the board to the specific descrip-
tons of property mentioned in any
given complaint. An instance is given
to illustrate this difficulty. the case
being brought to the attention of the
board last sNmmer. A corporation
situated within a township was as
sessed, as claimed by its representa-
tives, ut practically cash value. Sub
sequent inquiry demonstrated this to
be true. A list Of fifty-five pieces of
real estate in the same township was
submitted and complaint made that
such properties were assessed far be-
low cash value. Investigation proved
the complaint to be well founded. A
review was held by the board ard
testimony taken tending to show that
the balance Of the real estate in the
| township, consisting Of farms. wild
lands and timber lands assessed at
| $191 200 and no higher relatively than
property investigated. had not been
included in the complaint. The board
was, therefore, powerless to act on
such properties, and as no further
complaints were made, 1t was COM
PEELED to raise the properties COM
planned of $47,50O, while the owners
of the balance Of the properties es-
capped with much less than their just
share of the public burden.
Another Inconsistency.
An even greater inconsistency and
injustice of the existing law is pointed
out by the board. 1t is that in case
of complaint under this statute inves-
tigation may disclose the fact that
compliments assessment may be ex-
cessive only in comparison with that
Of other taxpayers, the fact being that
his property is assessed at only u per
cent Of its true cash value, while that
Of other taxpayers is assessed at only
so per cent of such value. The com
plainant has Just cause for complaint,
but the question is how is this in
equality to be adjusted. The section of
the law allows the board but one
standard Of valuation. which is cash
value. Another section limits its ac
ton in the case cited to the complain
ants property alone. Shall the board
raise cOmpainant's assessment to 1901
per cent and thus force him to payI
SO ID per cent more taxes than before
or shall it redrcc to 80 per cent so asI
to place ii on IN equitable basis with
the other property, thereby not only
disregarding the demand OF the
statute. but setting forth in its Of
fetal record IN action which II has
been condemnng for the past seven
years.
These inequalities and inconsist.
encieS, the board urges in its report.
should be corrected. Representative
Dust of Wayne, former member oil
the state board has introduced priil
designed to overcome these diff Isl
and restore the powers posse
the board previous to the enact
the law of 1905. Although T. .
has the Endorsement Of the
general, the feeling which lee
board being shorn Of MAN.
powers two years ago is still sc
that it is doubtful IL the bill W
Nomination of Senators.t6l
The popularity Of the movement &c
provide for the nomination of cand
dates for United States senator ut the
primaries, thus practically insurine
the election of the senator by direct
vote. and also to reduce railroad pas
senger fares in the lower peninsula
two cents per mile is evidenced by
the Introduction Of several bills GOV
ering these points. 1t is plainly evil
dent that railroad legislation will oc
cupy the center of the state this SEES
sion. 1t will be recalled that in his
message Governor Warner mapped
out an extensive program in this con
nection, and the legislators appear &c
be anxious to take hold of the matter
vigorously.
Senator Macbay of Wayne has ir
charge joint resolution providing FOL
the appointment of n special commits
sion to investigate the car shortage
situation. This resolution contem
plates the appointment of commits
sion of five members, one OF whom is
to he lawyer, one an experienced cal
service man and three representatives
Of shipping industries. The members.
OF the commission are each to receive
compensation at the rate of $25 pei
day and then actual expenses are tc
be paid. They are to have authority