Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-01-18
TAKERS or VALUES FROM EAST.
ERN OKLAHOMA COUNTIES
MEET IN TULSA.
Less EQUALIZATION WORK
Actual Cash Worth Declared Called
Under Pr5 opposed Plan.

Declaring that the only solution of
the high tax problem in Oklahoma
is to turn in fair and correct valua-
tions of all properties. and that in the
strict pursuance of this policy the
property owners OF the state stand
some show of having the present "un-
just taxes greatly reduced, the coun-
ty assessors Of Eastern Oklahoma met
In Tulsa yesterday afternoon and went
on record as favoring strictly inn
partial assessment.
The county assessors from nearly
every county in the eastern half of
the state was present at the meeting.
which was held in the county court
house. The meeting was decidedly
informal and was called for the os-
tensible purpose Of deciding on a uni
form system Of assessing. The work
Of assessing begins in every county in
the state this week.
Meeting Was Informal One.
The office of county tax assessor
was created by recent state law, and
yesterdays meeting was the first of
the kind held in the state. That the
majority Of those present were demo-
Gratis was shown by the manner In
which they attempted to explain the
reason for the present high taxes,
which have become so burdensome
that cry of help has gone up all
over the state of Oklahoma, accord
ing TO one of the assessors yesterday
AS a result of yesterdays meeting
property owners in Eastern Oklaho-
ma at least can expect one Of the
most rigid assessment campaigns this
year that they have ever experienced.
Each assessor present at yesterdays
meeting announced his intention Of
making every effort to turn in the
exact cash valuation OF every bit of
property in his county.
Must Obey Their Oaths.
II was the sense of the meeting
that the county assessors. under their
oaths Of Office are compelled to ass
and that they will comply with the !
law to the very letter In this respect. |
BY turning in a fair valuation of all !
property they hope to make the to- |
tai valuation sufficient to raise the |
funds for the needs of We state, |
county and municipality, at a smaller
levy that is at present in force, there |
by relieving the state equalization !
board from the task of increasing the |
values as was done in 1911.
The assessors declare that the rea-
son such steps had to be taken last |
year was through the unjust render |
ing Of property by the many taxpay- I
ers, who were allowed to turn in their |
property at too low a valuation, or
else failed to render 1t at ALL thereby |
Throwing the burden on the honest |
fellow who gives his property in at
its true worth"
Beyond the foregoing the assess
ors took no definite action Of direct
importance to the taxpayers Of the
state.
Looks for Decrease.
One Of the prominent assessors
who attended the meeting declared
last night that he believed the pres
ent year would see taxes in Oklaho-
ma considerably decreased.
'There is not a doubt he said
that the levies would be much low
er than they are at present. had all
the property owners and all the as
SCISSORS been honest In their dealing y
BY turning in this year
a valuation much higher than ever
before. the levies can be decreased
and the state will still derive as much
proportionately. from taxa
lion. as other states do and without
Imposing a burden upon the taxpay-
ern"