The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-01-16


ris sent a message to the general as
sembly transmitting the report of the
Tax Commission of Ohio In Sep
tember, 1906, the governor appointed
an honorary commission to inquire
into the present laws and recommend
such legislation as will insure just and
equitable taxation to the people OF
Ohio The commission named by the
governor consisted of Attorney Gener
al Wade II. Ellis. Thos. H. Hogsett OF
Cleveland, Judge Geo. +. Martin of
Lancaster, former Senator Alfred C.
Cassatt OF Cincinnati and Atlee Pom
creme Of Canton.
The commission held many meet
ings during the year and heard argu-
ments from every diffe 'ent interest
that would appear Union labor, the
State Grange, teachers, bankers, rep
Tesentatives of boards of commerce,
building and lean associations and nu-
merous other organizations of like
character, besides leading students on
IIeSeHltu
their views to the commission.
The report reviews existing tax
laws points out their inequalities
and embodies recommendations for
changes that will attract wide atten-
tion. The report is most comprehen-
sive and is one that will make history.
1t is absolutely non-partisan. The rem
edies suggested for present tax evils
are simple, concrete and should prove
effective. The members Of the COM
mission have been highly compliment
ed on their work.
Present Tax System.
The commission gives an outline of
the present means and methods of
raising revenue both for state and
local purposes. 1t calls attention to
article -, section >, of the constttu-
ton, which carries the provision that
law shall be passed taxing by uni
form rule" al. property. real and per
sonal, tangible and intangible. "ac.
COrdlng to its true value in money!"
and on that mandate, says the COM
mission, the present tax system has
been established and maintained.
The report reviews the provision of
the general property tax, from which
practically all revenues are received
from Il levy upon real estate, mineral
lands, personal property, merchants
and manufaCtur IS stocks, corpora.
fiOnu l., CT.
urban and intcrurban electric rail.
ways. express, telegraph and tec.
phone companies and banks.
In addition to the general property
tax there are special excise and plEv
ilege taxes, namely: The Willis law
tax upon foreign and domestic corpo.
ratiOns; the Cole law tax on public
service corporations; tie excise tax
upon freight lines, equipment and
sleeping car companies; the tax upon
foreign insurance omlanies; the
DoW-Aikin tax upon saloons and the
collateral inheritance tax.
Immense Sums Collected.
All these state and local sources of
revenue produced Tor the year ending
Ns ,\o', .,,, 10 i'V', " .o,'i o ol S'''I"o'1'
poses was $lO,4tO03l; the total TO,
local purposes was $579Gl .S9S; ane
the amount received rs dehnIucncies
and forteitGrcS OF previous years was
$777S,531
OF the total for state uurupsps the
levy Of 1,34 mills ON the dollar cf all
real and nor.onol nrorort, nrodrood
90 on,o11z. .I,, ,,,,, ,;,.a, :. - ,'
So1to- ~ W.. Wv ,'" ,''N,'' ''H""l ,"A'
'o'' ,iiT o"'S 'NC'So '"A' @-'ool'-
Iol' lne Wills corporation 'aN' Sl,-
OlS'oo@' the IorSlgh insurance tax (es-
tlmated) $l.OOO,OOO; the collateral in
heritance tax. $l0.51l; and other fees
from the secretary OF states office,
s346,673
Of tho total on,orrt rai.,d r,.. ,,o,,
rurnooao dnri,a +ha ,.na, 90 ., ooo
Ivaa ,,no1 '',,3 Wv Y'o''i t''0,'
D' U'0N w '', p"',i. '."oo'H anu ScHool
,iouSeS' %lo'f"o,4'" ioI Guy ana VII,
lage needs; Sl5,oi4,l32 for general
county uses; $2,7l l,5i2 for township |
purposes; and $6277 SS& for special |
and miscellaneous local funds
r.n-
r, IN''S % G"s'ng system
lhe report says; me members OK !
tne commission nave Dech deeDly I'M
pressed ny the inequalities ana mus
tice leVeaieu III lhe operation OF the
oAlstins TAX laws ol ONO, 1t IS I'M
posSlple 10 account loI lhe patience
with whlch these evils have been
borne except upon the theory that the |
has favored the cOncealment of their !
results. A more general discussion |
of the subject however which has |
boar ooino ~, ,,,i+h fro,o,,i,,.-
enca for sevaraI wars and u,binh 80
o,,I.o5 all, e. ~ ''' ''t 81 Gnu "niCn &c
sui'eu may III 'ne present movement
lor nloueFh and equitable system OF
taxation, has brought to light certain |
MI hat