The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1912-11-06
Gov. Nc Creary Issues a
Statement of Matter.
IS PLAIN THAT CORPORATIONS
Have Dodged. He Asserts
Says Cause of the People
Must Be Defended.
PERTINENT SUBJECT HANDLED


Cow McCreary has - issued a
statement in response to the letter
Mr.. Justus Goebel. The Governor
declares that "all persons who have
made proper investigation know
that the corporations in Kentucky
have not been paying their just pro-
portion of the taxes" and says that
I II the corporations which have in
stituted the suits persist In their
efforts the State OF Kentucky and
the cause of the taxpayers should
Sjhe defended in the courts by coun-
4 Bel in every way we'll equipped, and
I by all attorneys that may be need
ed to meet ard cope with the many
able attorneys who instituted the
suits"
h The Governors statement fol-
Vows:
1.-The letter of Mr., Justus Goe-
bel, addressed to me and to all ad-
ministrative and legislative officers
! of the State. and to all citizens OF
the Commonwealth who are inter-
ested in equal and uniform taxa
ton, has been published generally
In the newspapers and contains
valpSble Information and important
suggestions.
"He was present at the meetings
of the Board of Valuation and AS
sessment, which occupied about five
months and must be well-informed
on the subjects to which he refers.
"The Board of Valuation and AS
sessment, consisting of Henry M.
Bosworth, State Auditor; Thomas s.
Rhea, State Treasurer, and c. F.
Crecelius, Secretary of State. did
their work we'll and faithfully.
AL persons who have made
proper investigation know that cor
porations in Kentucky have not
been paying their just proportion
OF the taxes, and there has been I'M
lust and burdensome taxation upon
he people as compared with what
has been required to be paid by the
large corporations of our State.
at am opposed to discrimination.
and believe that taxation should be
inform, and the corporations and
he people assessed and taxed just
iy and fairly.
"In my message to the last Leg
isla fe, recommended the pas
sage of eight important bills, and
all were enacted into law except
The public utilities bill. which gave
the Governor authority to appoint
IN assessment and valuation COM
mission to do what the existing
4 3oard of Valuation and Assessment
4 as done; but, as the members OF
that board had not under former
Administrations been active, l had
no knowledge that the existing
board would be active until ! was
assured by the members that they
would do their duty and be Just and
fair, and the public utilities bill
was not passed.
THE existing Board Of Valuation
and Assessment based tAeir 1912
assessment on evidence of the val
ues placed before them at great
length, and am sure they have
presented what they believe, after
careful examination and conyinc-
ing proof, are just and fair assess
ments; and of about four hundred
Interpretations assessed. only eight
4have protested in the courts.
1.-THE eight suits that have been
brought against the State may be
contested through the Federal and
State Courts, and are OF great i'm
|portance to the people and the
state treasury. They involve for
tha State about four hundred thou
sand dollars annually, and for the
county and city taxing districts
about eight hundred thousand dol
liars annually. or total OF about
one million two hundred thousand
follars.
"When the present administra-
lion came into ONCE, less than one
lear ago, the States Indebtedness
YES more than one million dollars.
With just and fair a asation the
ssbt of the state would soon be ex-
1nguished; and, l regret thai im-a