Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-07-20
ASSESSING LAND IN TOWN.
Toledo Democrat |

At the regular June meeting. the
board of supervisors passed resolu-
ton purposing to equalize the taxable
valuation of farm lands within the
limits of towns. 1t is we'll known that
certain towns have rich farm lands
within their limits, assessed at $40 to
$50 per acre. when such lands can't be
purchased at 5000 per acre, and in
many instances the owners enjoy the
privileges Of electric lights and water
production.
In Toledo such land is assessed far
above 800 per acre and as farm land
in Tama and other towns was far be-
low this the board made general rise
of fifty per cent on the assessors
the taxable valuation of such lands
here
1t was expected that Elberon and
Dysart City-farnlers would register
a protest, for the lands within these
corporations are assessed higher than
other towns except Toledo But
neither Dysart nor Elberon appeared.
Possibly they were not notified of the
board meeting, as such meeting
should have been published and day
anu UOur OF meeting set.
But lama came in numbers to reg
lister its grievances. Messrs Maiden.
Shoop. Hegardt and Goettchen had
cause to appear, for their lands. they
said, were often submerged by sha
Iowa and the assessors rate of s35
an acre was high enough. Mr.. ALL
brecht was assessed at $50 an acre
now and an additional SAL making
1924 per acre was to much. Mr..
Ramsdell's land, just west of The
power house, Is now assessed at 800
per acre and to determine value what
was raised, 800 per acre was surely
enough.
Mr.. Erickson's land is more or less
clay and is bearing all the taxes that
its Tama part can and will stand.
County Attorney S. c.. Huber made
| the opening talk for the petitioners.
He had no property in Tama. but mis-
wife has and he decided to stand ~
her. We understand she owns sixty
acres of fine land within the corpora
ton limits of Tama and said land is
assessed at s15 per acre. But the at
torney laid stress upon some 500 acres
of land adjacent to and often under
the Iowa. This land consists Of
river rocks, timber and sandbars. In
Toledo the land is good and withal
! but sixteen pieces. Besides, the ac-
ton of the board was illegal and if
the former action wasn't rescinded by
motion there was a way to arrive at
the same end
Attorney Gallagher owns farm in
Tama and said farm lies just west of
the Ransdell farm. Mr.. Gallagher
farm is assessed at $50 per acre and
800 would make it too high. At pres
ent he received but $500 rent and paid
practically one-fifth in taxes. If the
taxes were raised he would have TO
give one-fourth of the rent. The old
Carmichael farm is west of his land
and has better improvements and as
sessed at a less value. Then Mr.
Gallagher read law to the board and
told the members thereof that they
erred in passing said resolution. AT
this point Mr.. Minkel thought the
lama assessor and the local board
needed fixing and County Attorney
Huber denied the allegation.
But the board thought it had super
ceded its authority and rescinded it's
motion, leaving the taxable valuations
as they were returned by the asses
sors. The board did not wish to be
unjust to anyone, forcing him to
maintain his rights in court, and the
advice of the county attorney being
adverse to the rise.
Still there will be few people IN
Tama, in Traer and in Elberon who
will continue to believe that land
| which will bring s175 per acre on the
market is not assessed too high at
$50 or even more. The merchants who
are forced to support the schools and
city will see to it that their assessor
does his duty without favor. They
will not go to sleep But land the
Iowa meanders over each year is GER
| tainly taxed high at any price.
Be wise and have a glass Of iced
"Sa1ada" Tea when You feel warm.