The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1910-03-17
URGE OHIO TAX LEGISLATION
Gov. Harmon Answers Denman Let
ter on Financial Crisis and sU9-
aests Remedies.

Columbus, O.-Following q day
Of continuous conferences on the
grave financial situation confronting
the state, Gov. Harmon issued a pub
lie communication addressed to At
torney General Denman. He dis
cusses the crisis that must be faced
because of the almost certain loss Of
$4,000, 900 in revenue due to the in
validity Of the excise tax law. It is
considered Of extreme significance
that the governor takes an unreserved
stand for a franchise tax as well as
an extension of the principles of the
Nichols law to cover all public serv-
ice corporations. The statement Of
the governor in part reads:
Il have read with profound inter-
est your communication. The sub
ject is Of great and immediate in-
portance and l am glad to find you
seconding my efforts for improvement
of the revenue and economy in its ex-
penditures.
81 did ont know until I read your
letter that any company had openly
challenged the validity of the Cole
law by refusing to pay the tax i'm
posed thereby, though l was aware of
a lurking belief that this would hap
pen sooner or later, especially If cases
involving somewhat similar laws in
other states should offer encourage
ment. This was one of the reasons
why, at the last session, recon-
mended to the general assembly the
| improvement of our tax system and
its administration only eight days
after my Inauguration and again on
March II, 1909, when the session was
on the eve of adjournment without
action on the bills in that behalf
which were pending.
II shall be glad to render any aid
I can to secure the imperative OBJ
iects at the present session. What
we need are laws for the levy OF
taxes with a just and impartial
hand and thoroughly efficient
agency to apply them. Counting
that part Of the Cole law tax whose
collectibility is subject to question
because it is measured by receipts
from interstate commerce. it is com
mon knowledge that, for one reason
or another, corporate property ir
Ohio is more lightly taxed than rea
estate in proportion to it's true value
measured by recognized standards
Nobody wishes that class of property
to pay more than it's just share o.
taxes or is willing that it shall con
tinue to pay less.
"The power of the state is full ant
clear and the capacity of her repre-
sentatives to employ that power eff
fectively cannot be questioned. No
can l believe there is a lack of pur
pose on the part of any of them tt
perform the duty which vestint
them with authority imposes. 81
nothing is lacking but cordial CO
operation to put our taxation be
yond attack or just complaint. M.
judgment is open to all suggestion
and, like you, l submit one. Extent
the Nichols law rule of valuation t.
oil ColPoAd dIioAS VI IhS 6Sh0lh SAos
to which it now applies. Put tai
ing board in charge of the entire sui
ject of tax administration. Limit tn
amount of taxes which may be levie
without vote of the people, as pre-
posed in the pending bill. The prof.
erty of the corporations subject t
the Cole law will then be appraise
at their true value as going concerns
reached in part by considering thei
earnings"