The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1912-02-02

stands, nor does 1t give relief that /
believe Is imperatively demanded. The
revenue commission bill provided for
exempting homes to a certain figure
II the amount of exemption therein
contained fs too high it can be lowered
to . proper figure II, however. YOU
do not deem 1t advisable to adopt this
sugg estion, still would urge change
providing for the exemption Of money
and credits. and call your attention to
the reasons presented therefor in my
message delivered on the opening day
OF this session, and also to the report
Of the revenue commission thereon,
The impossibility of reaching this kind
Of property for assessment purposes
has been so clearly demonstrated by
the experience OF many years that it
cannot now be successfully questioned.
have already urged upon you a
change in the method Of assessing
bank stock. The suggested changes in
this regard would render them far
more acceptable to the persons invol-
we'd II the exemption suggested should
be made.
Other Needed Legislation.
In other particulars, which to es-
pecially mention would extend this
message to an unreasonable length,
changes are needed in our present re-
venue laws, and these needed changes
ar not provided for in the bill we are
considering. hope that immediate
steps will be taken by the introduction
OF proper bills to amend our laws, not
only in the matters herein especially
urged, but In such other particulars as
oinc 70
action to be taken at this special SEES
sion. Most of the subjects mentioned
have already been under consideration,
and with them you are familiar, so
that prompt action can be taken. Some
OF these matters | would not again
urge upon you If thought you had al
ready come to deliberate conclusion
thereon, but l realize the bill l re-
turn includes may different subjects,
and that while taken as a whole it was
acceptable to you, with various provi-
sions, you did not agree in its entirety.
Separate bills. therefore, upon the var
fous matters urged would give fair OPP
portunity for full expression of the
ideas OF each member
Other Matters Urged.
In stating my views upon this parti-
cular measure, and incidentally upon
our revenue system | do not wish to
be understood as waving any views
upon other material matters hereto
fore submitted to you. l firmly main
tain my opinion that tax commission
with full power to act, composed of
men selected by reason Of their pecu-
liar fitness for the work, non-political
In Its character, with long term of
office, and responsible only to the
people and the courts, is the only me-
thOd under which perfect equality be-
tween the taxpayers can be had. My
long fixed opinion on this subject is
confirmed by kilograms received from
the governors of majority of the
states In which tax commissions have
been adopted, who unanimously in
dorse the commission plan as an abso-
lutte necessity in affecting taxation re-
forms. These executives, reflecting all
shades of political belief, are unani-
nous upon this question. | exceed
ingly regret that the views of major
lily of your members, as reflected in
the tax commission bill passed last
week, did not meet with the approval
OF majority in the senate, and sin
cerely hope that remedial legislation
tending to the betterment of the taxa
ton system In this regard may vet be
enacted, even If the full need of nee
essary reform is not therein measur-
ed out to our people. To this both po-
litical parties are pledged, and | call
your attention to that plank of the Re-
publican platform which says:
We further pledge a revision
OF the laws on taxation and revenue, in
line with other progressive states, in
order that the burdens of taxation may
be properly equalized between the diff
ferent cOutnies of the state, and that
all classes of property, whether indiv-
idual or corporate, may bear it's just
The Democratic party likewise has
pledged itself in the party platform by
saying:
I'VE favor an immediate revision of
our revenue laws so that the burdens
of taxation shall be borne equitably by
the Individual taxpayers. and demand
that the enforcement and operation of
the law in the collection of state reve-
nue. shall result in equal taxation as
between the different counties and
sections of the state.'
Taxation Of Mines.
The revenue commission prepared a
bill for your consideration upon the
subject OF taxation of mining proper
ty, but after 1t was printed, and hav-
ing in the meantime made further in
quiries into this greatly involved sub
ject. concluded their proposed mea
sure would prove ineffective, and with
drew 1t with the expectation that later
In the session changes in the present
law would be proposed by your men,
bers. I consider, in view II the critic
ism of the commission made in some
quarters by reason OF their action in
this regard. that 1t is proper In this,
my 1rst communication to you since
the subject was preached, to refer to
the matter. although possibly not al
together pertinent to the main subject
and give you reason for the
course adopted That change in our
methods Of assessing this class of
property is advisable and necessary
Is firmly believed by very many of our
people. What that change should be
Ia m0nfA6 question FRANKLY o.