The Harrison times., 1911-08-05
The New Revenue Bill.

popular discussion as the Turner
Jacobson revenue bill passed by the
recent extra session of our legsla-
turc, Many have jumped to the
conclusion that it is entirely bad, SO
much so thV an appeal to the Ref
erendum is 1ikelv. For this reason
we are glad to give the following
letter to our late representative,
Hon. B. Nj. Estes from F. E. Brown,
speaker of the House of Representa-
tives of two years ago:
Dear Sir and Friend:
Yours of the 9th inst. reached me
on the Goth, the same having come
to Little Rock during my absence in
the country on official business hence
the delay in reply Answering same
will say regarding the Turner. Jacob
son revenue bill, | see nothing there
in, and in so far as can sc Yhere is
nothing to alarm anyone, and es.
pecially is this true of theHconscien-
tious, honest taxpayer who as
sesSeS his property honestly. OF
course the habitual tax-dodger may
object, as the new law is drawn to
catch him, not for any more than
others; but his Just share of taxa
ton. The new law fairly enforced
should reduce the taxes of the citi-
zen who has heretofore been assess
ing his property fairly and honestly,
as it is therein provided that after
the total valuation of the state eX-
ceeds $3.50, 1000, the tax rate
shall decline as the valuation in
creases, and the means are therein
provided for getting all property on
the tax books so much better than
in the old.
Under the old law there were three
forms only for listing property for
taxation. LIST. The general form
that called for the number and value
of the horses, mules, COWS, etc,
owned by the party assessing. 2nd
A form for assessing banks and 3rd
A form for listing the intangible val,
ues of stocks of corporations, the
law providing for same Sec $685.
Kirby's Dig being somewhat am
biguous and not generally under
tstood by Tax Assessors, very lttl,
of this species of property was evel
put on the tax books, and escaped
taxation entirely, The object ant
intention Of the new law is to put
all property on the tax books at it
true and full value in money, and i
this be done the total valuation o
the property of the state should
easily be $750,000,0OO instead o
what it now is $3.50, ZOO, 900. Th'
new law provides ten different form
for assessing tangible property, fo
instances sec 16 calls for a form up
on which a merchant shall list hi
property; sec. II, a pawn broker
sec 10, a lawyer, doctor, dentist
etc; sec Is, a manuiac urer, al
: with specific questions to be ans
wered under oath with regard tC
the kind and value of property own
ed by each, rhe same as the form The
farmer is required and has been re
quired heretofore, to state the
number of his horses, mules, etc.
In addition to the ten forms pro
vided for tangible property of pr
sons Of different business and call
ings. Sec. 80 provides a form foi
assessing the tangible values o
stocks of corporation, and is sc
plain and simple, that any assessor
can readily understand just how to
get at the tangible values Of stocks
etc, and properly followed out
ought to put thousands Of dollars
on the tax books that heretofore
never had a speaking acquaintance
with taxation, of course these are
only very few Of the points of ex.
cellence of the new over the old
law, and when | return to Little
Rock if can find an extra copy OF
the bill shall take pleasure in mail
ing it to you, and when you have
pvrused it ! think you will agree
with me that it is far superior to the
old law; of course it is not claimed
for it that it is perfect, and doubt
less may be yet improved upon.
With best wishes and kindest per
sonal regards am truly and sin.
cerely your friend