The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-04-27

with him that the Law should be enforced.
providing that II was distinctly under
stood that the big corporate interests
alton burden. In the event that s county %
assessors refused TO enforce the new plan
OF taxation, the governor was to call
upon the attorney general to bring action
against the assessor through the respec-
tive county attorneys and should they re-
fuse to prosecute they were to be re-
moved from office
The edjct had hardly been pronounced
oetore q general protest went up over
the state from taxpayers. The governor e
ofnce and state board of euualizat ton
was flooded with letters and petitions Of
aslngry property holders who asserted that
" forced to pay taxes on a full cash value
scale they would be forced out OF husi-
ness and ruined. Mass meetings were
held in many parts Of the state. Several
that they could not carry out the board s
orders. Farmers unions, district and
state oranges. societies. business oreani-
zations and other bodies passed rcsolu-
lons condemning the board,
Takes Popular Side.
That one member Of the board had his
ear to the ground was evident, for at
the next board meeting State Auditor
Taylor had drafted and presented a reso-
'ution asking that the board rescnd It's
action and permit assessments TO be made
as heretofore-one- third the actual val
uation. He cited the fact that the recent
legislature had fixed permanent mill tax
eVies that the taxpayer must meet In
addition 10 the other heavy taxes and
hat the burden was too much to carry;
that. hundreds Of thousands of dollars
would be accumulated for the operation
ot state schools and institutions. unneces-
sary and from which no interest could
be derived; that 1t would be impossible
'or the board to determine the fair as
on mining property. on rail-
-oads. and on public utilities, His vote
vas the only one that supported the re-
;cinding resolution.
Keeps Up Agitation.
The protests continued to pour into
he capital and State Auditor Taylor
sept up his agitation TO return 10 the
,ld plan. State Treasurer Allen. mean
ime. went. east, where he successfully
disposed OF the S750,000 bonds TO COM
olete the main wing OF the new capitol
building. When he returned this week
lie Immediately went into conference
With Secretary OF State Clifford and State
Auditor Taylor on the taxation question.
As result Of this conference both the
tate treasurer and secretary of state
greed to stand with State Auditor Tay-
or to rescind the boards action. They
lold the balance OF power on the board.
What VIII Governor Hawley do upon
lis return TO Idaho from Washington
when confronted with the possibility Of
BOARD of equalization going over his
lead and resembling the boards taxa
ion resolution? That is the question
on tnually asked in business and po-
itical circles since the compact OF the
hree members became public. Will he
orce the issue, when he finds his hands
led. on the board and issue 8 call for
n extra session OF the legislature? This
5 the belief of his friends If he does.
hey assert. "A settlement may be reached
N the taxation problem through the
?wering Of the fixed levies permitting
he, assessment OF property, at is fun
ash value and ultimately lowering in
tead OF raising the taxes.
The political destines of the board
nembers arc said by other party leaders
lose to the situation to be at stake.
ome declare that the stand OF Cover
or Bawley on the taxation question
pclls political suicide and that no mat
er what course he pursues he cannot
egain the ground lost. Others assert
e is standing by his guns, while the
ther members Of the board all OF whom
re Republicans, have lost heart and are
orced 10 retract.