The new era., 1909-05-27
COUNTY ASSESSORS ASKED TO
MEET WITH STATE BOARD
OF EQUALIZATION.
TO PLAN ASSESSMENT
VALUATIONS MUST BE HIGHER
OR MANY APPROPRIATIONS
WILL FAIL.

Denver.-With the hint that unless
county assessments are raised
throughout the state none of the
fourth or fifth class appropriations
and many of the educational institu-
tion appropriations would not be paid,
the State Board of Equalization Mon
day sent out a circular letter to all
county assessors, requesting them to
meet with the board in the House of
Representatives at the Capitol at 10
o'clock in the morning of May "a.
1t is hoped by Gov. John F. Shat
roth that the meeting will result in
the state getting its full share OF the
4-mill assessments for state purposes,
as he claims that the assessors have
pursued retrogressive policy and
that the time has come when the reve-
nues of the state must be increased.
Among the educational institutions
mentioned in the letter as not likely
to receive their special appropriations
are the State Normal at Greeley. the
Agricultural College at Fort Collins,
the Deaf and Blind School at Colorado
Springs, the State Normal at Gnnni-
son and the School of Mines. Follow
dng is a copy of the CALL
Dear Sir-By resolution of the
State Board of Equalization, the as
SCISSORS of the several counties of
Colorado are cordially invited and re-
Quested to meet with the State Board
of Equalization in the hall of the
House of Representatives. Capitol
building, Denver. at 10 O'Clock in the
forenoon of May "a. 1909.
The State of Colorado has so
grown in population that constantly
increasing demands are naturally be-
ing made for the expenditures neces-
sary to properly maintain the educa-
donal, penal and other institutions
which are positively essential to an
orderly, efficient and progressive gov
ernment
These institutions have not been
enabled to keep pace with the in
creased needs of the people, and Off
cial duty. as well as state pride, re-
quire harmony and unity of purpose
among the public officers in the state,
TO the end that the government pro-
vided for by the people be made to
serve the purposes commanded by the
constitution.
The work of the county assessors
and the State Board of Equalization
are extremely important factors in its
development, and both in the past
have been severely criticised; it be-
ing contended that the laws of the
state have not been obeyed in the per
formance of official duty.
The estimated revenues of the
state are far short of the appropria-
1ions made by the Seventeenth Cen
eral Assembly, not being sufficient to
pay all the appropriations for the
State University, the State Normal
school at Greeley. the State Agricul-
tural College at Fort Collins. the Deaf
and Blind school at Colorado Springs,
the State Normal school at Gunnison,
and the School of Mines. If the pres
ent valuations for assessments are
made, there will not be 81 for the pay
ment of the fourth and fifth class ap-
preparations.
1T seems not only advisable, but
necessary, that the assessors now
holding such offices assemble for a
joint conference. at which each may
present his views and strive for a
harmonious agreement whereby all
may hereafter be better enabled to
perform their duties in accordance
with the demands and principles of
good government.
IN this spirit you are urged to at
tend Your opinions and judgment
are needed at this conference. and by
representing them you will do your
state a service. Very respectfully.
THE STATE BOARD OF EQUAL
ZATION.
by A. B. MGAFFEY.