The diamond drill., 1910-07-30
THAT MATTER OF
EQUAL TAXATION
HON. CHASE 8. ossoRNs MANLY
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT
OF MINE PROPERTY.
Efficient Administration Needed That
the Peoples VIII May
Prevail.

noon, and when talking on the ques-
ton OF adequate taxation for the up
per peninsula mining properties. ad-
vocated the formation of a commits
sion which would have power and
ability to put the mines on an equita-
bio basis with the rest OF the state.
Furthermore, he pledged himself. II
elected governor. TO do all In his
power to bring such commission
into being
while / sincerely believe" said
Mr.. Osborn, that many OF those who
are discussing the question OF tax-
alton, especially with reference 10 in
creasing the mine values and taxation
on them are earnest In their opinions,
raised by those who are interested In
creating sectional feeling between diff
ferent parts OF the state for political
eject There is not an honest citizen
who does not believe In the adequate
taxation Of all the property OF the
state, regardless OF where II is stu.
ated or what Il is.
The proposition to make q revision
OF values Is not a new one. This II
provided for under the law. The re-
valuation Of all property is made man
datory under the law, every rve years,
and q new valuation under this pro
vision win be made next year. and
would have been made whether the
question he'd been made on Issue OF
this campaign or not.
Il earnestly desire 70 state that
the mines and other properties OF the
upper peninsula should pay their Just
share OF taxation. as well as other
property OF the state. The mining
regions Of the upper peninsula are
200 miles from my residence and the
section In which live II under no
more mining influence or domination
than Wayne county or Shiawassee
county. II this question Of taxation.
which IL as old a. society. 10 raised
as an issue for the purpose Of OBJ
securing moro important questions.
then II 10 unworthy OF being given
q nrst place In the minds Of the
people at this critical time A great
question of this campaign. Il seems
10 me. 10 an TO whether the money as
raised by TAXATION shall be honestly
expended for eficient government OF
whether the state funds shall be
wasted among political grafters or
hangers-on, many OF whom are only
interested In holding their Jobs. and
who would not be given q position IN
private occupation In any of the 10
gitimate activities OF the state.
Public Integrity the Thing.
1T seems to me that the thing that
In most demanded In Michigan to-
day Is that the state shall be put back
into a condition OF public integrity by
an efficient administration. Until this
Is done and until men OF honest
character and Capacity occupy the
public places there can be no as
surance that an intelligent and hon
est revaluation Of the property OF
the state can be made, or that
moneys raised by taxation will be
properly expended, or that any OF
those things that the people most
hope for will be accomplished
"A great many departments OF the
state are az present hampered by
needless number OF inefficient EN-
ployes, Any good executive should
be able 10 reduce the expenses OF
many Of these departments at least
one-half. and at the same time In
crease the departments efficiency
The state has been Republican so
long that men who have no higher
ambition than TO obtain public place
for what II pays them, have drifted
into the party from all sides by whole
sale. This has reduced the standing
OF the party and It's character and
efficiency. In other words. the party.
which Is as good today In It's passive
personnel as ever before, has be
come so careless as 20 permit the
worst elements In II 10 dominate by
reason OF their greater activity.
An Expert Commission.
"Mr. Osborn, have you personal
knowledge at this time whether or
not the mines OF the upper peninsula
are adequately taxed7"
Il have not; and don't think any
one else knows"
How can this knowledge be ar.
rived att"
1T can be obtained through the
work OF a special expert commission,
having knowledge OF every phase OF
mining, appointed for the purpose"
by revaluation7"
mo. by valuation, because there
never has been n complete valuation |
made. This can be done as accur-
ately by experts, as the valuation OF |
any other property can be estimated. |
i think that n commission OF three |
experts could do the work"
Appointed by the governor?"
Appointed by the governor or leg
islature. or elected. It's creation, OF |
course, would be a legislative func-
tion"
Would you. II elected governor.
and there seemed a statewide de 4
mand for this commission for the 4
revaluation OF mines pledge yourself 4
20 bring II into existence"
AS have said. n is a legislative
junction. but I would be glad 20 lend
my influence and 10 all IN my power
20 help toward rs creation "--Detroft
News on june II