Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-05-24
MAJORITY OF IOWA NATIONAL
BANKS WILL ESCAPE AssEss-
MENr THIS YEAR.
MUCH CONFUSION EXISTS
CONCERNING NEW LAW
Many Assessments Have Been Made In
Old Way, Which Means Little Or No
Taxatien-eiddsrs on State Supplies
Observation-Disclosures Takes Week to
Consider Status Of Express Rates.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, May Estate Auditor
Bleakley last week sent out letters to
the county officials calling attention to
the new law las to the assessment Of
the stock Of all Incorporated banks and
suggesting the necessity for strict
compliance with the law. The respons-
es already received indicate that but
for this reminder great many Of the
counties would have gone right along
assessing bank stock in the old way. In
fact a goodly number Of them report
that their assessments are complete and
that they do not see how they are go
ing to reopen the matter. All sorts Of
questions are asked and it is found
that the obstacles to a compliance with
the law of -hand are many.
In perhaps q majority Of the coun-
ties Of the state the assessment Of
bank stock has been made as former
~, which means that 1t is valued by
the assessor and debts Offset against 1t,
and in the case Of government bonds
held by the banks, these are deducted
from the value Of the capital stock. 1t
Is of course we'll known that especially
in regard to national bank stock but
little tax has been paid in the past.
That will be true this year, for asses
sors and county officials have not done
much of the assessing in. accordance
with the new law. -.
It is made the duty Of the state
auditor to instruct as to matters of as
sessment but he has no power Of COM
pulsion- If the county officers do not
enforce the law it will probably not be
enforced.
Representatives of all the big COM
panies doing an aeroplane stunt have
been importuning the state fair people
for contracts for flying exhibitions and
1t Is certain that deal will be closed
with some Of them. An aeroplane show
has become necessity at every big
fair.
The F'ifty-Fourth regiment band Of
Ottumwa, with w. o. Worrall at the
head. has been engaged for one Of the
state bands at the fair this year. Other
bands will also be secured.
Among the bidders on state supplies
there Is evidence of irritation over the
TACT that the executive council In ask
ing for bids on the bulk Of the paper
used In the state printing, specified not
q certain grade but a quality like
certain brand OF paper made In an
eastern mill. The bidders who want
some Of the state business claim thai
this virtually shuts everybody out ex-
cept the makers Of that one brand OF
l nd 10 o1l re f0 INV the
make Of that mill. There is a contract
for $4,000 to $4,000 worth of paper
in this one item. On all small items
the specifications sent out to stationers
and manufacturers call for certain
quality or grade without naming any
particular make Of anything.
Judge Mcpherson stated to the at.
torneys Tor the state and the railroad
commission and the attorneys tor thu
express companies that he would decide
the question Of Jurisdiction as quickly
as possible, but would take at least {
week to consider 1t, as he regarded thu
question raised as one Of the most i'm
ITortant that has ever come before him
In fact it would seem that he is be-
tween the nillstones and no mattel
what may be decides higher coug
will be asked to review his finding. I
would not be at all surprising If tn
whole matter Of the express rate
should be held in allegiance pending {
decision Of the jurisdiction question
which would so to Washington for de
ctsion.
Automobile owners will the comm.
week receive copies Of the new law a
to registration and payment of the Ii
cense fee in Lieu Of taxes. All the II
censes commence July next and tn
office of secretary Of state will be un
usually busy about that time caring TO
the $4,000 or more licenses that mus
jbe made out