The Harrison times., 1912-08-24

dereliction | pass your short-com-
ing by But would | do So if my
taxes were raised in proportion to
your default?
SLIDING SCALE PROPOSED.
These remedies both failing, the
one remaining remedy is to raise the
rate, on a sliding scale This would
help cut down expenses for legis-
lator will weigh well and hesitate
long on any appropriation bill when
he realizes that when he votes for it,
he as certainly votes tax on the
people to pay the appropriation.
He could not satisfy the petitioners
for the bill by voting the appropria-
tion and at the same time set him
self right with its opponents by tell
ing them their taxes would not be
raised, Nor could he proclaim him
self progressive and broad-minded
and heap big booster filled with
state pride and enterprise, and at
the same time heap abuse upon Au'
ditors and Governors for not pro-
viding funds to meet his generous
expenditures,
"The sliding scale would tend to
cqualize and raise, assessments,
bringing relief to the smaller toX-
payers. III know that the rate on
my propertywill be raised or low
cred according to whether you give
in your assessment high or low, |
would have an incentive to see that
YOU come up with your share, ! be-
lieye there are many men who have
always given in their property at
100 per cent or 50 per cent accord
ing to the requirements of the as
SCISSOR, but they have not insisted
upon their ncighbors doing the same,
WOULD Go UpoN A CASH BASIS
"Under sliding scale, the state
would at once 90 upon a cash basis,
which is not only economical but
common Justice to all 1t would be
calculated accurately that the
amount Of revenue TO be derived
from any particular levy would be
sufficient 20 meet the appropriations
of the last preceding Legislature.
1t would be necessary for the Lcgis.
lature to make an appropriation to
cover all outstanding obligations,
which would clean up the existing
deficit,
1T is the opinion Of some that a
separate levy should be made for
each account Of state expenses, for
example, one.quarter mill for the
University, which would relieve the
legislature from considering the
amount appropriated for one year.
| feel sure this would be found n dis.
appointment to its friends, The
Legislature should carefully consider
each item, and while the quarter
mill might be sufficient one year, it
might be excessive or insufficient
another,
"Of the many suggestions offered,
the sliding scale Os believe is only
one that nsures q permanent, never.
varying cash basis,
How He WouLp SOLVE rnE PRoN.
LEM,
"lfcallcd upoa 70 drnlt q bill, |
would provide that on or before the
second Monday in October each
year. every county clerk shall for.
ward to the State Auditor a cert.
fed statement showing the total
assessed value ofhis property, The
! Auditor sboll from these state
ments, asa crtain the total assessed
value Of the property ol the state.
| On or before the fourth Monday ol
each October he shall certify to the
county clerks the rate Of taxation
necessary
"To ascertain this rate, would
have the Auditor deduct from She
aggregate sum Of all appropriations
made by the last preceding Lcglslo.
turc, one half Of such total and
from that the sum Of moneys COM
ing into the Treasury from other
sources, thus giving the remainder
that must be raised by district levy
| He shall then determine what rate
upon the total usscsscd valuation
shall he necessary TO provide that
amount, which shall he the General
Revenue rate for that year liy this
method there would he levied an.
nunlly for the support of the state
government and It's institutions
that number Of mills which when
applied to the total assessed prop
cfty Of the State. shall produce u
sum equal TO ouc.hulI the Opprop'
] 81. g..... a tI,. ..Y....lt..t / .UtNlu