The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1912-09-19
CHIEF EXECUTIVE EXPLAINS new TAX PLAN.
Proposes Tax Dodgers Without Increasing Burden
Taxpayers=Prnciple of Segregation Explained.
BY Governor LUTHER E. HALL Of Louisiana

There is no one who defends the present
system of assessment and taxation In force
in this State. All are agreed that some
radical change or revision in it is abso-
lutely necessary to meet the increasing
needs of the State. During the last State
campaign the imperfections, inequalities
and injustices Of the system were con-
demned, and each candidate for Governor
pledged himself to USE his best efforts, If
elected, to provide system by which tax
alton might be made equal and uniform
and the burden of government thus evenly
distributed. Under the present system
many owning property of enormous values
have been able to escape the payment OF
their just proportion of taxation and in
consequence the deficiency has to be made
good by those who are not 50 fortunately
situated. The result has been that the
grt i: urden of taxation has been gradu
ally but surely shifted to the shoulders of
those who are the less able to bear it, and
they are now paying as much as they
should be called upon to contribute. But
the increasing population of the State
necessitates increased revenue for the
support of the State government and its
institutions. II the present system of as
sessment and taxation, which has proved
wholly inadequte to the growing demands
Of the State, is to be retained, then this in
creased revenue can be obtained only by
an increase of the rate of taxation. Some
relief might be secured through uniformity
of assessments, but such a condition can
not be hoped for under the present system.
The inevitable result of an increase in the
rate of taxation would be to increase IN
duly the burden of those who are already
contributing their just proportion of taxa
tion-such as the farmers and people OF
moderate means throughout the State. 1t
is obvious that the only feasible and just
plan is one that will embody new forms OF
taxation, such as tax on inheritances, on
, corporate franchises, on future contracts,
etc., and will reach property which has
heretofore, in large measure, escaped
taxation. So the problem to be solved is
to make ample provision for all needed
revenue for the State and to do this without
increasing the burdens of those who are
+, now taxed to a reasonable limit.
To accomplish this result is the under.
f lying purpose of the plan now submitted
. for the approval Or rejection of the people
o at the November election.
1t would be impossible within brie1
time to discuss the proposed plan in all it,
. "DETAILS. IL Is DuliI drOuuO IlC CcuCTdl Iu0o
= of segregating for the purposes of State
: taxation certain forms of property ane
leaving all other property to the severa
parishes and municipalities to be taxed fo
local governmental purposes. 1t means
n almost absolute home rule for them in mat
:; ters of assessing and taxing property re-
q served to them. The State would surrende
: its right to levy any tax at all on the re-
naming property and also to collect Ii
9 censes, except on such businesses as fal
k within the scope of its police power-sucl
|. as the sale of intoxicating liquors., etc
e The people of the parishes and municipal
it tiles would be relieved of the payment o
y the State tax on the property subject t.
taxation by them and also of all Stat
licenses except such as are mentioned
above. To compensate them for the los
4 of the segregated property they would b
given the power in their discretion to i'm
g. pose upon the remaining property in add
~ ton to the ordinary parish or municipa
tax the tax now paid to the State unde
ct the present system. For instance, paris
which would under the present system pa.
Is for local governmental purposes tax Q
ten mill and State tax of six mills, whic
= includes the proposed Confederate Vetera
tax, making total of sixteen and two
|. tenths mills, would, under the new system