The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-02-04
BOARD MAY MEET
EVERY Two YEARS
kLEnIeEI
r. n. SHIELDS SAYS NEW EQUAL
IzAnoN BOARD LIKELY WILL
MEET FREQUENTLY IN
tI FUTURE.

r. II. Shields, a member OF state taN
commission. returned yesterday from
Lansing. where on Wednesday evenine
the state tax commission had a con-
ference with Governor Osborn and the
senate committee on taxation. The Job
ject Of the conference was 20 discuss
taxation matters in the state and to
devise means whereby a more equit-
able assessment Of the general prop
erty Of the state could be had.
In commenting on the conference,
Mr.. Shields said:
Under the present law il is the duty
of the tax commission 10 ascertain the
value OF all property in the state FOR
its recommendation 10 the state board
of equalization. which meets every five
years and which meets this year in
August. In addition TO this the tax
commission must hear complaints
from every dissatisfied taxpayer who
cares to make a complaint, and hold
hearings from every dissatisfied tax
payer who cares TO make a complaint
and hold hearings throughout the state
for the purpose of correcting whatever
abuses may be found TO exist.
ION the other hand we have been
limited to ten clerks, which makes il
practically a physical impossibility TO
performe the duties imposed on the
board. The tax commission therefore
asked that id se empowered to employ
whatever help may be found necessary.
with the approval of the state board
of auditors. IL seemed to be the gem
eral opinion of all present that this
would be done, i'm which even experts
would be employed to place a value on
all mines in the state
Under the old constitution the state
board of equalization was composed
Of the lieutenant governor. secretary
of state, land commissioner, auditor
general and the state treasurer. and
IL was supposed that these officers
would constitute the board for this
year. But It was discovered that the
present legislature must create and
appoint new members for this board.
but it is altogether likely that the
board will include the same members
as formerly. There seems TO be
strong demand that one OF all the
members Of the board of state tax
commissioners also become members
of this board. This will be decided
very early at the present session of
the legislature. 1t also seemed 10 be
the opinion Of those present that the
state board Of equalization should
meet once I'm every two years hereaf-
ter"
Mr.. Shields gave as his reason for
thinking that the board Of equalization
will meet oftencr the great variation I'm
the value Of property in the state i'm
hve years. He mentioned especially
the case OF the mines I'm OntonaQon
county as well as other parts of the
copper country where the taxation was
equalized some five years ago but have
since declined in value. and I'm many
instances, abandoned. The valuation.
however, remains the same for the
whole five years As a comparison.
he pointed 10 the great increase Of val
ue Of some OF the lands in the lower |
part Of the state In some Of the coun- /
ties that formerly were given a very
low valuation, great automobile indus /
tries and other business enterprises /
have grown up in the last few years. /
greatly increasing the value Of prop /
erty. Should the board meet oftener
a better basis Of valuation could be /
made.