Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-11
T,MeERLAND TAX HEARING.
CONTINUED From Page one.)

estration and all are working toward
it,"
In answer to query Mr.. Goodwin
said that the same differences exist be-
tween the valuation of two wild land
towns as between two pieces Of prop
erty on the street.
Mr.. Misunderstanding that the rev.
enues of the State are sufficient to look
after the necessary expenses OF the
State, what objection can there be to
doing away with the State tax on
towns.
Mr.. Goodwin-"Well, that's matter
for the commission. l have been
speaking more particularly in regard
TO the question of timberland taxation.
Mr.. Drew-"Do you think it good
policy to tax citizens to anticipate a
small State debt of 3 per cent"
Mr.. GoodWin-"I do. ! believe 1t
good policy to tax whatever is neces-
sary to pay your debts.
Hon. Charles e. Oak was asked by
Chairman Drew to give his views on
the subject Of timberland taxation
Mr. Oak said in brief: '"There is one
phase of the matter that l would like
made while in Augusta fully demon
strated that the annual increase of
spruce growth in Maine does not eX-
coed 3 per cent. How would that
work out with 2 per cont. increase
in tax? If systematic cut of any
certain size would be carried out it
would he, 25 years before second cut
ting could be made A two per cent.
tax on the same time would mean so
per cent on the value of the crop. l
wish also to call to the attention of the
commission that spruce land must not
be COMPOUNDED with mixed growth and
hardwood land. There is no second
crop there.
The cumberland owners in my judg-
ment have been very frank in this mat
ter ] think you will find that the es-
Inmates of the assessors have been
practically right. To my certain
knowledge very many towns have been
taxed at mere than they are worth and
more than they will ever yield.
Mr. Drew--"Do you regard the an
nual cut as more than the annual
growth?
Mr. Oak-"In some sections it GER
tainly is and on the whole, l should
think that it is.
Mr.. Deering-"Do you have any faith
in the re-seeding proposition?
Mr. Cak-"To a limited extent it
would have to be undertaken by the
government rather than by individuals.
You must reckon 80 years to get your
crop and the cost would be at least
81 an acre. Reckoning that at simple
interest your property doubles in 1G
years you will see where that will
bring you"
Mr.. White-"Some tell us that the
wild lands have a valuation at $780,
900 900.
Mr.. Oak-"That is out of reason
You can take very much less money
and own all the wild lands in the
State Of Maine. 1 can point you to
many acres in the market that can be
bought for a great deal less than the
valuation of the State assessors
The commission desired some Informal
ton regarding the cost of mapping a
township and this was given by Dr.. f.
II. Wheeler of Augusta. w. J. Lanigan
said that if the State needed more money
to pay its regular expenses he is willing
to come up and meet his assessments. II
believe" said Mr.. Lanigan. that the wild
lands of the State are valued within 10
per cent. of their actual value. 1 know
that this is SO in Somerset, Piscataquis
and Franklin counties and I presume the
valuation in Penobscot is about the same.
Valuation has been steadily Increasing
for about 10 years. A great per cent of
the lands has been burned over and much
of it is covered with water and logs