The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-02-21
OPPOSITION
To | Per Cent Tax Rate
Bill Comes From Cities
Whose Expenditures lDCrGaS-
ed Faster Than Population
Representative Smith Pre-.
SGntS Interesting Figures
Should Enact Law Before
Should Enact Law Before
Assessors Begin Work
WhereCOx MajOritiGS
In Hamilton County

Columbus, o., Feb. 17-Representa-
tive w. T. Smith, of Marion, in open
ing his fight for the 10 maximum
rate tax bill cited statistics from six
Ohio cities to show that the only op-
position to his measure comes from
those cities where expenditures of
public money have increased much
faster than the population.
Counting only taxes for general pur-
poses, Bowling Green with an increase
In population Of 31%s, increased it's
taxes levied II per cent, and the per
capita from $9.67 to $16.07, between
1900 and 1909, Chillicothe, on the other
hand, with a percentage Of increase
in population OF 11.8 per cent, increas-
ed 1t STAKES II per cent, and the per
capita remains the same. Chillicothe
officials favor the low rate.
Circleville, with decrease In pop
ulatlon of 3 per cent increased its
taxes levied 10S per cent, and the per
capita from 1892 to $2871. Cleveland,
with an increase of 46.9 per cent in
population, increased its taxes levied
90 per cent ,and the per capita from
$11.75 to $15.38.
Columbus, with q percentage in
crease in population Of Al per cent, in
creased in taxes levied 145 per cent,
and the per capita from s9.42 to $1601.
Cincinnati, with an increase in popu-
lation of lis per cent, Increased Its
taxes 43 per cent, and the per capita
from sl5.52 to 1881. Cincinnati Is
fighting the low rate, because public
officers under 1t would have to be eco
nomical.
Both Republican and Democratic
state platforms endorsed the 1 per
cent rate, and Representative Smith
will grill the men, who violate this
pledge,
Increases in personal property
Smith relies on to 80 increase tax
duplicates as to provide sufficient
funds for all taxing districts. There if
a mistaken impression that Smith re
lies solely on the ] per cent rate bill
to get personal property on the dupli
cate. That measure is intended mere
ly to coax out of hiding bonds, mon
ey, and Intangible property.
Other taxing bills In the administra
tions program will force persona
property on the duplicate. Among
them Is the Edwards bill for count,
board 10 replace all present local as
sessing agencies, with authority to ex
anime books OF corporations and will
, greater inquisitorial powers than an!
local board of assessors now mas.
Smiths plans comprise also legisla
tion 10 make invalid the foreclosin,
, Of mortgages and other transfers o
negotiable instruments unless the,
have been listed for taxation. Inheri
tances are to be made invalid unit
after the state has collected all bacl
taxes due from the estate.
ho IRWIN UNI luAilb puiluihB III
loan Associations as banks are taxe
is to be pushed. In addition, the stat
tax commission has discovered minel
al land and other property running IL
to the hundreds of millions which ha
escaped taxation.
So great increases In appraisement
are In sight as to reduce to a minimum
the risk OF not having money enoug
for government. And Smith says
"The way to get the money is to ris
not getting II, Reduce the rate; tn
money will be collected, and the Ia
burden will be equalized,"
Attorney General Hogan will su
the Empire State Surety Co. of Ne
York on bond given by the concer
to protect the state from loss on
$4,000 deposit of money, which WI
in the Farmers and Merchants Ban
4 when it failed in July, 1908. Sta
4 Treasurer Creamer was never able
i get action against the corporation, u
\ I'll the people elected Democratic A
Il toruey General.
II The Republican papers protestiI
Y against Governor Harmons effort
Y reduce the maximum tax levy to