The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1912-01-16

idea and believe it will vastly add tt
the orchard and vineyard areas of the
state.
Exemption of Money, Accounts ant
Evidence of Indebtedness.
The most radical change in oul
exemption system is proposed by sub
division IL of section IL which pro-
vides for exemption of money, evidence
of Indebtedness and accounts. Upor
principle I should oppose this change
were it not for the fact that we have
tried for nearly Is years to reach
these things for taxation purposes and
lementably failed in SO doing. Prac-
tically all the taxes paid by owners
of this class of property now comes
from those who are not dealers in
money. Those who possess such prop
erty in large amounts invariably
escape taxation. There are many ways
by which such persons can evade as
sesSment thereon and | cannot con-
ceive anyway by which this class of
property in the main can be success
| fully reached. True a system might
/ be devised under which banks might
be compelled to disclose the names of
depositors, but such a system would
only cripple the banking business by
causing withdrawal of deposits. Much
of the money would be sent out of the
state, thus causing great injury to all
our people, and we would not finally
! be gamer of any greatly increased
amount from this source. 1t is the
part of wisdom then in my opinion to
make virtue out of the necessity and
by entirely eXempting money, credits
and evidences of Indebtedness, invite
real benefit.
Full Cash Value.
The full cash value system is main
tanned under the provisions of the pro-
posed revenue law as the basis for
assessment. This 1 urge should be
done. 1t is impossible to equalize tax
alton under any other system. Only
by assessing all taxable property at it's
real value can the curse of high tax
rates be avoided. To the intending
settler, and to the prospective investor
does high property values and low
tax rates most Strenuously appeal In
many states where tax reform has
been made a leading issue this idea
has been successfully carried out and
the results have uniformly been salts
factory. To have the assessment roll
of our great state less in amount than
that of some third-class cities of the
older states, as it has been for years,
is a reproach to Idaho and lessons our
chances both to develop our resources
and increase our population.
To urge, as has been repeatedly done
during the past year, that an increase
in our assessment rolls means an in
crease in the amount of taxes that
must be paid, is taking a position alb
solutely untenable. 1t is an axiom
that a certain amount is required to
maintain state, county and municipal
governments, and this amount in no
wise depends upon the amount of the |
assessed property. Whether the as
sessed value of Idaho, this coming |
year, is one hundred millions or one |
thousand millions make not one dollar !
in the amount required to |
maintain the state government and |
state institutions. 1t would affect the |
tax rate only. So with counties and |
They are under the |
same general rule. True, it has been |
urged by opponents of tax reform
hat the increase in assessed value in
Idaho during the past year has result
ed in increased taxes. 1t is true that |
N some counties the amount of taxes
paid have been materially increased.
Careful inquiry shows, however, that
n no case has this been the result of
out the cash value system,
)ut is due to the board of county COM
of such counties and the
boards of municipalities
aklng advantage OF the increased val
lation to raise greatly increased
mounts for certain purposes. To
this / call attention to
he amount collected in 1909 and 1910
S compared with 1911 In various coun-
les, and also the tax rates for each
# such years as shown by the records
n the office of the state auditor.
(Here follows statement showing
assessed valuation, tax levy and total
mount of taxes raised in the various
ounties of Idaho for 1909, 1910, 1917
This table is instructive in many
Ways. 1t seems in Ada county there
vas raised for state and county pur
oses in 1911 the large sum Of $780,
$40 as against $2S9,471.15 in 1909
nd S343071 90 in 1910 So we find