The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1912-01-19
LEGISLATURE IN SESSION
Governor Hawley's Message
Read to SOlonS.
DEFENDS CASH VALUES
Senate is Contrary, Has Plans of
Its Own.

The Idaho legislature convened IN
special session at Boise, Monday,
called BY Governor Hawley for the
purpose OF considering a revision Of
the revenue laws of the state.
Governor Hawley. Ia his message.
the reading OF which was the business
OF the frst day of the session, re-
viewed the ''cash value" camplign,
and recommended the enactment, of
the proposed laws drafted by. the
special commission, McLane and
Martin. The message urges the
creation OF a tax commission as a
step OF the very greatest Importance.
1t also strongly urges that feature Of
the main bill which provides for the
payment Of taxes twice a year.
In regard TO exemption Of $2500
homes from taxation, the governor
states his belief that the principle
involved Is correct. He urges that
the poorer people should be encourag-
ed to build and own their own homes,
and that nothing can facilitate this
10 greater degree than proper
exemption from taxation of such
homes. He leaves the amount of the
exemption to the legislature but
strongly urges the correctness of The
principle. involved. The governor
discusses the bill exempting money,
credits, and evidences Of indebted ness
from taxation, saying that success.
ful way for taxing money and bank
deposits has never been devised, and
that II law were enacted to compel
banks to dlvulge the names OF de.
positOrs such system would onl,
cripple the banking business by caus
ing withdrawal of deposits. Muct
money, he says, would be sent out o1
the state.
In defense of cash values tn,
governors message says 10 part:
ut Is an anXlom that a certain
amount Is required to maintain state
county and municipal governments
and this amount In no wise depend
i upon the amount OF the assessed
property. Whether the assessed val
ue Of Idaho this coming year /
$lO0. 900, 900 or ST 900, 600, 900 make
not 81 difference In the amount re
quired to maintain the state govern
ment and state institutions. !
would affect the tax rate only. S
with counties and municipalities
they are under the same general rule
True 1t has been urged by opponent
OF tax reform that the ncrease !
assessed value in Idaho during th
last year has resulted in increase
taxes. 1t is true that in some copr
ties the amount OF taxes paid ha
been materially increased. But th
is due to the fact that the boards
county commissioners aLd II
controlling boards of :nunIcipalIti,
have taken advantage Of the increase
valuation to raise greatly incf east
amounts for certain purposes"
| 1t IS further argued that high va
uation and low tax rate are mo
likely to attract capital and INN
grafton.
In closing. the governor urges Il
legislature to dismiss from consider
tion all questions OF mere partiz;
advantage and to look only to |,
public veal. He says he can 'sco
ceiye OF 90 legislative assembly th
could be better prepared than you
enact revenue laws that will be ju
and equitable, and that will be
accordance with the prog res,i
spirit of the age"
The senate members he'd cauc1
Z Tuesday at which it was made appa
ent that that branch OF the legis
J ture would probably oppose the &c
! eral revenue law under considerati
] by the house, and would rather ia,
9 the Iowa plan Of asse ssing property
< only 25, 80 Or 40 per cent of actl
: value. 1t was propose6i to notify
0 house that time spent on the gov
e nor's plan would be- wasted, as 1T n
not be approved by the senate.