The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-12-26

policy here outlined-of encouraging
a lower loaning rate-were to be
adopted.
Ii seems almost a travesty to sug-
gest tax reform in Vermont and stop
short of recommending something toI
do away with one of the most griev-
GUS burdens--the double taxation Of
mortgaged real estate Enabling the
mortgagor to secure directly lower
interest rate on his debt would bel
one source of relief and this hel
would realize If the loan were ex
empt. He still ought, in principle, tol
Offset his debt, as other classes OIL
debtors do, but so many derange-
ments in local grand lists would en-
sue that 1t is question what the
net effect would be. To determine
just how much real estate in Yer
mont is doubly taxed, is, therefore,
the first step to any reform In this
direction. Many mortgagors Offset a.
portion or all Of their real estate in
debtedness against their personal
property and it is only the debt bal
ance remaining. If any, that is doubly
taxed. Inquiry by means of the tax
inventory, and summing up at tax
headquarters would fix definitely the
extent of this burden. when relieving
1t could be undertaken more under.
| standingly.
In connection with the proposals OF
tax reform here offered, we suggest
a few others administrative in nature
Here is the first one:
We hold it to be undignifed. i'm
practical and inefficient for apprais-
ers and listers to make the rounds
as they now do Not many capable
men, who are worth much TO them
selves or others. will, for the small
stipend and the additional honor,
chase around town for weeks, arm
ed with writing board and inventory
blanks. cornering the elusive taxpay-
er at his leisure or convenience and
taking his list" in privacy To all
purposes one man in each town does
the listing. since 1t is common to d.
vide the town and parcel out its var
ious parts to suit the convenience or
the special ability OF each lister We
do not believe this to be a proper
method. Instead, we would have
the listers sit as a board at some
central place over considerable per
Tod OF days and require resident pro
perty holders to appear before IL.
non-residents TO certify TO it under
! oath. and fix sufficient penalty to
enforce compliance. II getting dog
: license or a hunters license is
} worth the trouble incurred, certainly
= being listed for taxation is worth
as much trouble. Were property hol
r ders to appear in this way before the
entire board and submit TO examina
ton. the possibility OF secreting i'm
2 portant facts. as well as standing in
5 with the listers. would be much les
S soned. We would have every person
so appearing duly sworn, and would
3 give the board ample authority tc
send for persons and papers. The
y mere form and authority would have
: a benehcent effect.
y There are grave abuses in claims
J. OF Offsets made for debts owing
s While We firmly believe In the prlnci
!. pie OF Offsets and would not see IN,
e privilege abolished, we would 20 a.
y Tar as possible in lnsuring accurac,
4 in their allowance. We would hay,
/. the board of listers, sitting as abov,
G described, inquire carefully into ever,
r claim for offset and positively verify
} II from independent sources befor,
i allowing it. Thousands OF dollar
l. would certainly be added to gran,
= lists If this were done.
n We do not submit these proposal
I. OF reform In full confidence that the
e are unassailable. or that they ough
Al not to be varied in certain particu
" lars, but as basis In which TO worl
It TO the desired end-the improvement
lie OF conditions in our state-Randolp
- Herald and News.