The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-05-02
ference of there being more propert

sofa now ranks as ninth in wealth
of the states of the union, and the
different system of assessment must
be put into force in order to have
fair, equitable and just taxation.
The law that fits every condition
was being made to fit existing con-
ditions, with very poor success.
Every man should pay according to
his ability to pay, according to the
general law.
Mr.. McVey said that the most
important officers are the assessors.
If they failed to list all of the prop.
erty the assessment would be un.
equal. Boards of equalization in the
past have but lowered or raised the
aggregate.
There must be a fundamental
equal assessment; every man must
pay an equality. Assessments made
on full valuations of property would
be established by following this rule.
The purpose of the tax commission
is to correct the defects in equaIizing
as followed by the Boards of equal
ization in equalizing assessments as
between counties.
The real burden of taxation is
the local tax," said Mr.. McVey
If we go into the practice of pro.
tecting ourselves we will tax the
man with the small property more
than those who have large holdings.''
What the speaker wanted was a
fair deal all around. -.,s.;.
Every assessor was advised tc
get a township plat and become
thoroughly familiar with his parti
cular districts, so that he could
make an intelligent assessment
Especially should this be true. Of
timber which should be thorough,
gone over in order that a correct
valuation could be made. ~
According to the law EVERY per
son was required to make a list Of
his or her personal property and
must sign the same before the exemp
ton of 500 to be legally allowed.
The speaker had noticed from the
assessment rolls that in Bemidji, {
city of 5000 inhabitants there was
be 289 names on the personal tai
list. This was strange, for taken a
the ratio of one person in sever
being taxed, there should be some
where near 800 names on the list
instead of 289. This might possibly
indicate that all the property hac
not been listed.
On the other hand, as there are
many mill hands in this city who dc
not own property and could not be
listed as property owners, the mum.
Der of names might be somewhere
near correct. !.
1t was probable, however, that
the rule had been followed of not
assessing property valued at 500, OF
less. This could not be done, under
the present law, as the assessors
must positively list all property this
year. The exemption of 500 was
only allowed when a person signs a
list of personal property and verifes
the same. When the person refuses
to sign the list, the assessor should
sign, n. e.''-no exemptions.
Last year $27, 50O,O OO>was granted
in exemptions in the state of Mime
sofa. It is very evident that this
cause was used to evade just taxa
ton. The county auditor is the sole
person in adjusting the merit of 800
exemption.
The speaker had no doubt that
scaling" of assessments had been
much used and abused.
Assessors should view all property,
so that no arbitrary assessments
would be made because property had
not been seen. Having seen the
property the assessor could put his
own value in the same.
Thesspeaker did not want any
flat rate of assessment on all land.
improvements should be assessed
separately.
Mr.. McVey again emphasized
the fact that the commission
wanted just and equitable assess
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