Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1912-12-20

much progress In the solution Of tax
equalization. which could not have
been accomplished had We attempted
radical action. resulting In voxatiouS
litigation. am sure that the state
board Of assessors would only require
the experienced guidance Of the Eov-
ernor to make their operations much
more satisfactory than they now arc.
The Tex Rate
In this connection I would cain at
tention to the fact that II II Of the
highest Importance that a. the ASSESS
ment roll Of the state increases, the
rate OF taxation, both state and coun-
ty, should DO diminished. Tho tendency
Is to increase the scale Of expenditure
with the additional revenue available
under the increased assessment roll,
by adhering to the previous rate OF
taxation. The effort should DO to re-
duce the tax rate as the assessment
roll increased. In the session Of 1908,
two very salutary acts, already re-
ferred to, were passed, which compell-
ed all counties having tax rate above
$3.50 on the 800 to reduce this levy at
the rate OF 10 cents on the 800 until
1t reached $50 on the 800, and there
after to reduce 1t at the rate Of s cents
on the 500 until It reached 80 cents on
the 800. In 1905 this act was amend
ed 30 as to make the annual reduction
cents and 1-2 cents on the 800,
respectively, instead OF 10 cents and
cents on the 800. respectively.
The acts referred to imposed the
duty upon the examiner Of the state
board Of revenue to see to their en-
forcement; but OF late years the ap-
preparation for this examiner was al
lowed to lapse. Certain duties were
also required Of the district attorney
and Of the attorney general. providing
for the removal from office Of officials
who failed to comply with the law.
There were other salutary provisions
regarding bond issues, emergency tax,
ect, which require careful administra-
ton.
1 would suggest that tho salary of
the examiner should be again appro-
priated, that the governor should be
permitted to make, the appointment,
and that the examiner should see not
only to the execution Of these laws but
should also make inquiries, under the
direction Of the governor, regarding
the general fairness and proportion
ateness of assessments in the various
counties Of the state, the reports of
which he could submit to the state
board Of assessors. I fear that the
failure to provide for the examiner.
and the practical extinguishment of
the office by this process, may have
resulted in q lax administration of
what I regard as two Of the most i'm
portant laws upon the statute book.
State Conservation Commission
I am sending you certain publica-
tons relating to the work Of the ma
tional conservation commission. as
well as the reports Of the Oregon state
conservation commission. I am in
formed by Mr.. Pinchot that thirty-five
states and territories have appointed
conservation commissions, and that it
Is extremely desirable that the other
states should also appoint them, in
order that they may act with the Joint
committee on cooperation between
the states and the national commits
sion, authorized by the recent conyen-
ton OF governors at Washington J
imagine that such a position. would be
purely honorary until the legislature
acts. 1t would be we'll to appoint men
upon the commission who will appre-
c1ate the honor and who will attend
the general convention which is to be
held every year at Washington.
1t Is difficult for me, at long range.
to cover these questions as I would
wish. I would be glad to come out
during the session to confer with you
and the legislature upon these subjects.
but there are pressing matters of leg
1slation here to which I must give at
tention. hopo that you will not re-
gard these suggestions as intrusive.
Tor you have already invited them
from me. AS citizen and resident of
the state of Nevada, I feel an intense
interest In all Its legislation and am
sollcitous that in the future, as in the
past decade OF democratic control. we
should demonstrate to the country that
Nevada Is a state Of progressive legis-
lation intended to secure popular rule.
10 maintain peace and promote Justice.
TO place the burdens Of taxation Justly
and proportionately upon all property,
10 reduce the taxes to the lowest point
consistent with good government, and
10 expend the taxes for the highest
good to the entire people.
Very sincerely yours,
(Signed) FRANCIS @. NEWLANDS.
When Senator Newlands was oues-
toned as to whether he still held the
same views regarding legislation, he
remarked, Il am not sure, after con-
sultation with many friends, whether
1t would be well to make the railroad
commission as part Of the tax COM
mission. They have now the control.
not only Of the railroads, but over ali
other public utilities and their duties
are quite extensive. They are likely to
arouse powerful opposition hSre and
there, which will display itself either
In legislation voiding it's powers or
changing its personnel. It might be
pad policy to put upon II additional
duties which might make It unpopu-
lar and thus aid it's enemies in it's un-
doing.
Apart from this, I do not see how
you could create better tax COM
mission than by adding the railroad
commission to the state board of as
SCISSORS.
1t Will be observed that in nv LETT
ter to Governor Dlckerson, 1 suggested
that the governor might be added to
the board Of assessors, or the entire
state board OF revenue, consisting OF
the governor, attorney general, and the
controller. might be added"
The Tax Commission Bill
Mr.. Newlands stated that he had NOT
examined with sufficient care, the tax
commission bill, favored by qovernor