Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1913-06-13
ASSESSORS MUST
OBSERVE THE LAW

Assessors in the state Of Idaho who
have failed so far and who continue to
fail to assess property at its full cash
value will be held liable under their
bonds and their oath OF Office. This
Is the edict that goes forth from the
tax commission of this state authorized
by Chairman Axel Ramstedt and the
other members of the commission. The
reports that. have come into the COM
mission from its three agents now in
the tield indicate that in q number of
the counties the assessors are assessing
property ut 3 reduction OF from 20 to
40 per cent below It's full cash value In
face OF section Is of the revenue law
passed by the last legislature which
specifically sets forth that all property
not exempt from taxation must be as
sessed at Its full cash value. The new
law gives back to the state the full
cash value plan of the year previous.
The commission knows exactly where
the assessors are failing to comply with
the law and today made It known that
no evasian of the Law will be tolerated
bat instead it will be enforced to the
very letter.
Reports received by the tax commits
sion from agents now In the field indi-
cate there has been a reduction on the
assessment In number of the counties
which Is contrary to the Law and will
In the end work an injustice on the tax
payer and assessors must comply with
the letter of the new revenue law rs
sessing property at its full cash value
or suffer the consequences, stated
Chairman Ramstedt of the commission
today. .'The commission will not toll
crate an infringement on the law and
proposes TO see that it ID rigidly en-
forced all along the line. Those ~.
SCISSORS whO are dropping their assess
ment below the full cash value. seeking
10 accomplish one end, will not be ablt
to produce the result they expect bu
J will instead cause hardship on indi
yiduaI taxpayers and not little extri
work and confusion.
saThe law is perfectly clear IN thi
matter. II is the guidance Of the Ia
commission and the commission pro
e poses TO see that it is enforced. Thos
assessors who fall TO enforce the ID,
= will be held liable under the law an
under their bond.
Assessors are also required TO plac
o on the assessment roll all assessabi
property and the commission intends
see that this is done In every county
the state. There Is property In th
= state which Is not on the assessmer
. roll hnt should be there. L is the dul
l. Of the assessors TO see that 1t Ii thel
1t and the commission will require thi
er this be done.
q, The reports received from the agen
se OF the commission IN the field, are D
satisfactory 10 far - the aseessmel
p- in some of the counties Is coneernbC
It Ia shown by these reports that u
rs assessors have not assessed at the II
cash value but in some instances ha
Ta dropped off ID per cent, in others
and in some - high as 10 per cei
nd Many of the counties have kept strict
nm 10 the intent Of the law in every
spect both with regard 10 the full ca
" value and TO the placing ON the asse
ment roll all taxable property with .
result that there has been added
ras some instances as high as = half m
- ftf1 AfstIa=a Afs the assessment role
~ the respective counties.
the The Commission proposes 10 20 ii
An each county where i j. heiIeyed
of law has not oeen specancaily IoiloWs
EBs giouers sitting IS board OF ea1a1i.
Vor tion and place on the books Of kh
resdectiye counties tbs property tbs