The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-07-29


The report Of siessrs. o. NJ. Barber
OF bennington, Ernest Hitchcock Of
Pittsford, John II. scnter Of Montpelier,
Leighton r. Slack OF st. bloomsbury, q.
w. Pierce Of Brattleboro aud A. Allyn
0lmsted Of Bellows Falls to Governor
Proctor on their investigation Of taxa
tion problems in Vermont, was made
public to-day The investigation was
ordered by resolution Of the state legis.
lature Of 1906. and the results are sum
married. as follows;
The report contains brief history Of
taxation in Vermont up TO 1880 when
the tax laws now in force were in sub
stance nacted.
Under the heading Of administrative
evils the report msrshaIs numerous facts
demonstrating that there are frequent
and aagrant violations Of the lav by
both listers and taxpsyers; that isss
tlsAn 1hree pit egst ~ - s'ss nysilA
tories on iile are flied out as required
by law; that many taxpayers file no
inventories, and that if the law were
enforced that imposes a penalty OF 5000
upon lister Tor accepting an inventory
not properly made out, the forfcitures
thus incurred would in 1907 be over $50,
100000.
II ii shown that real estate Is now
appraised on the average throughout the
state at not more than seventy per cent.
of its value, instead of at its true value,
as required BY law; and that as result
the state school and state highway taxes
yield in the aggregate $4,000 less than
would be received ii the law were com
piled with. AS to personal property, the
conditions are even worse.
The experience Of other states on this
subject is briefly given.
The creation Of state tax commis-
sion of three members is recommended,
OF which the commissioner of state taxes
for the time being shall be chairman.
This tax commission TO have control
OF all administrative matters relating to
taxation for state purposes, with super
yisory powers over the listers, and with
authority to equalize their appraisals,
This commission also to have power to
appraise the stock and bonds OF domes-
tic corporations which are now apprais-
ed BY the listers, and in addition TO be
charged with the duty Of formulating
blank inventories for the use Of the tax
payers. The report finds that the law
regulating the appraisal Of stock in do
nestle corporations is practically inop-
erative, and that such stock largely es-
|capes taxation.
AS designed to produce an improved
! local administration Of the law, 1t is
recommended:
That listers be elected for q term OF
three years and by ballot.
That separate appraisals be made Of
land and Of buildings thereon, as tend
ing to promote legal and uniform APP
praisals.
That the individual inventories OF the
taxpayers be filed for public inspection
before the completion Of the grand list.
That the taxpayers be compelled to
return their inventories on or before
the tenth day OF April annually and that
failure 50 to do be punished by doubling
and assessing substantially as the law
now provides.
That the listers be given authority to
subpoena witnesses upon the question
of whether any taxpayers has made a
complete inventory OF his taxable es.
tate.
That the discount for payment OF To-
cal taxes be abolished, that all taxes be
paid in full on OF before day fixed and
that an interest penalty be added for de-
lays in payment.
TO ascertain the value of exempt real
estate. II is advised that the same be
appraised at the next qaadrennial ap-
praisal.
The question OF double txation is fully
discussed in the report. It is pointed
out that the popular conception limiting
it to the taxation Of property OF debt
or and of the loan made to him where
that loan is secured by mortgage is an
Continued on fourth psgs.