Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1910-01-20
PROBLEM OF TAXES,
An important Report Made to
the National Grange.

II Outlines the Position Which the
Grange Takes on the Question Of
Taxation-The Committees Conclu-
sions Summarized In Eleven Articles.
The report of the committee on tax
alton of the national grange was pre-
pared and presented by Il. 9. Atkeson
Of West Virginia, chairman of the COM
mittee, and was an important docu-
ment. We give the committees con-
illusions, the report being adopted:
Since taxation is necessary for the en-
forcement OF Jaws, for the protection Of
property, individual or corporate. there
fore no property. either real or personal,
which is protected by law should be ex-
empt by the state constitution.
In order TO secure equality in the dis
tribution OF the burdens of government, II
personal property is TO be exempt from
taxation on account OF the Indebtedness
Of the owner thereof, then real estate
should be entitled to the same exemption.
In the case of mortgages by far the
wisest system is TO tax the mortgages on
the amount of the mortgage and the
mortgagor on the value of the property
minus the mortgage" the mortgage to
be considered as real estate and not as
personal property and taxed in the local
ity where the mortgaged property lies.
There should be no exemption of any
species of property, either real or per-
sonal, from taxation for local purposes
except such as is exempt by the consti-
tuition.
II state and local revenues are to be
raised from separate resources, the state
revenues should be raised from corpora
ton, charter fees, licenses on liquor, beer,
tobacco, coal, oil, gas. telegraph, tele-
phone. express, Pullman and other car
companies, banks, trust companies drug
gists billiards, theaters, shows, plays,
certain professions and pursuits. hotels,
restaurants. fire and life insurance COM
panies, bankers and pawnbrokers, bank
deposits, collateral inheritance. sale OF
books, state seal, etc.
All corporation real estate and personal
property TO be taxed for local purposes.
same as the same kind OF property is
taxed when owned by individuals.
The local tax OF transportation property
to be levied on a valuation equal to the
market value of the capital stock plus
the market value of the bonded debt,
each taxation unit to receive such part
of the tax as the mileage of the corpora
ton in said unit is to the total mileage
Every possible precaution should be
taken to secure equality Of assessment
between individuals and between assess
ment districts
We favor the denial of the right of &C
ton to the holders of notes bonds, etc,
which have not been listed for taxation
and all such notes. bonds, ETC.. so listed
shall be assessed at the same rate below
face value as other personal property in
the same locality is assessed below its
actual cash value.
No city shall be permitted to make
separate assessment, and all property
everywhere shall be uniformly assessed
at its fair cash value or at uniform per
cent below cash value-say. % TO 80 per
cent below.
We favor the enactment OF "A law that
will secure fair and equitable taxation
of all bank property, whether personal or
real upon the basis that other property
is taxed, and We believe the market
value of the capital stock plus the real
estate would be the fairest and most cas-
lily ascertained method OF valuation.