The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1912-01-16
MASS MEETING
RESOLUTION
Citizens of Tract Go On Record
On Tax Question.
SETTLE MATTER OF DIFFICULTY
FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Large Crowd and Large Difference of
Opinion Over the Present Taxation
Methods.

A mass meeting of the taxpayers
was held at the Commercial club
rooms Friday evening, January IL, for
the purpose of discussing some of the
many bills that are to be introduced at
the special session of the legislature
The two main subjects of controversy
were the establishment of tax COM
mission, and the proposed exemption
from taxation of hbmes to the extent
Of $2,500. Most of those present seenl-
ed to be in favor of the tax commits
sion, but the subject of exempting
homes to the amount of S2,500 called
forth some good arguments, both pro
and con- Many widely different views
were expressed. Some were heartily in
favor of S2,500 exemption on homes,
some favored some exemption, but not
as much as s2,500 some were decid ed
ly against any exemption, while others
seemed to think the subject too deep
for them and were willing to abide by
the decision of the legislature.
The meeting was called to order by
E. ]. Ostrander, who outlined the OBJ
iect Of the meeting and then threw the
meeting open for discussion.
A paper written by NJ. J. Sweeley,
expressing his views, was read by Mr..
Spafford, Mr.. Sweeley having been
called to Salt Lake on business While
he did not take a decided stand on the
subject, he expressed himself as being
opposed to the exemption, saying it
would be best to have no exemption on
improvements or exempt them entire
ly.
An article from the Buhl Herald re-
garding the action taken by the people
Of that n1ooQ in a Cfv,1i1or NIX f}pcr Hrroc
read by G.. F. Sprague and commented
on by several. The Buhl people in
their meeting passed resolutions fav-
oring the exemption of taxes on dwell
ings and outbuildings to the extent OF
$150O.
Senator Hornibrook was called on to
state his position in the matter, but
he said he come out to the meeting
for the purpose of finding out the voice
of the taxpayers of the county and
would rather not express his own
views unless those present SO wished.
Later in the evening he stated that
personally, he was in favor of this pro-
posed exemption, but that he was will
ing to put his own personal views
aside and vote according to the will of
the majority of the people
G. D. Thomas was asked to give his
opinion on the subject under discus
sion. He took decided stand in favor
of the tax commission and the $500
exemption. He said that II moneys,
credits and mortgages were exempt,
then the home should be exempt $2,50O.
He believes that II this exemption is
put on homes it will encourage the
building of homes by people who are
now either renting or living in apart
ment houses, and thus build up our
city and that more people will come
in to help bear the burden of taxa
ton, SO that in the end the rate would
be no higher than they are without
the exemption.
j. NJ Maxwell made few remarks
regarding the taxing of mortgages. He
said 1t has been proven that the taxing
OF mortgages is not practical and
would tend to drive money out OF the
state and keep it out. And the bor-
rover Is the one who really suffered
from such taxation as the man who
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