Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-03-21
Iowa
TAX OFFICERS In CONVENTION
Valuation Of Property Discussed by
Experts at Des Moines.
PRESENT SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE
suffragettes withdraw from Par
ticipation-Senator Gore
Talks for Wilson.
(From a staff Correspondent.

(From Staff Correspondent
DIES MONIES. la. March 3o-tspeeial
Telegram THE state tax convention met
here today with about 800 persons pres
ent, pursuant to a call issued by the
governor and members OF the state tax
commission. to consider plans for revision
Of the assessment laws Of the state.
Governor Carroll welcomed the conven-
ton and Chairman NJ. II. Cohen Of the
commission outlined the work being
done TO prepare legislation for changes in
taxing methods The chairman stated
the commission desires the advice of all
the people OF the state as to what should
be DONE Addresses were delivered by
A. u. Dawson, secretary Of the state
executive council. and ]. E. Brindley,
secretary Of the commission. Mr.. Brind-
ley declared that the present system
puts such penalty on efficiency that
assessors cannot make fair and honest
returns OF property
He declared that one of the failures
Of the present system in Iowa is found
In the fact that 1t lacks proper admin
istration.
Under the present system" he said.
"the local assessor cannot do his duty
and IL he does the town pays double
the taxation it ought to-" He said that
the present decentralized system re-
suits In differentiation OF property and
inequality of assessments. He showed
that property is assessed at about ono
eighth Of its real value. which results in
exorbitant rates.
Councils Work Defended.
Secretary Dawson of the state execu-
tive council defended the work OF that
body sitting as a board OF review and
showed that its work had been done as
well as II can possibly be done under the
present system.
Samuel T. Howe. chairman Of the
Kansas tax commission. outlined the work
OF that commission and what It has 40
complished. Heterogeneous w. e.
Fuller of Fayette county was made per-
manent chairman OF the convention. He
and others took strong ground In favor
Of maintaining local control over assess
ments and taxation.
Women 10 Manage Campaign.
Another interesting turn was given the
controversy between the men suffragettes
and the female suffrsgettes In Iowa today
when the mems league resolved upon
abandoning any independent effort at
making q campaign and determined upon
following the women's political equality
club. At the same time the mems league
declared tho office OF secretary vacant
and ousted II. G. Cue from the place.
They also requested their members Of the
joint committee cooperating with the
women to withdraw and to take no part
in the arrangement Of the campaign. The
understanding Is that the men. while they
will continue to work for votes for the
women, will simply leave the manage
ment Of the campaign wholly to the
women.
Gore Talks for Wilson.
Senator Gore Of Oklahoma spoke at a
mass meeting Of democrats here tonight
In the interest OF Woodrow Wilson for
president Owing to the storm. the at
tendance was light. but he spoke to a
crowd OF enthusiasts Wilson supporters.
Members Of the Wilson committee from
out over the state declared that there is
no doubt Wilson will carry Iowa.