The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-30
REAL ESTATE DEALERS ASK ION THE TAXATION PROBLE

1 paid salary and not be dependent upon fees for his services. So long as l the county tax commissioner is de- | pendent upon fees he will be animated 1 by the desire to make increases wheth l CT conditions justify an increase or not, and in the very recent past the county back tax commissioner has in | some instances taken one view of as- sessments and the state tax commis- sion a different view We believe all | useless offices should be abolished and that no unnecessary fees should be per mitted.
 The cost of assessing property in this state is enormous and a heavy burden upon the taxpayer who now pays four sets of officials for assessing property for taxation
 l. The county tax assessor. 9 The county back tax commissions CT.
 B. The board of revenue or court of county commissioners
 4 The state tax commission with its numerous clerks and attorneys.
 The county tax commissioner goes over the work of the assessor The board of revenue or court of county commissioners considers the work done by both the tax assessor and the back tax commissioner. Then comes the state tax commission, which goes over and supervises the work of the tax asses sor. the back tax commissioner and the board of revenue. or court of coun- ty commissioners Then the governor or the state tax commission employees any number of attorneys, experts, etc., all of whom are paid out of funds created by txation. In Jefferson county the county commissioner em- p1oyes his attorneys, clerks, experts etc, all paid by the taxpayer.
 Never in the history. of Alabama has there been a law on the statute books which gives such power to officials to favor their friends and punish their enemies as now possessed by the back tax commissioner and the state tax commission. This Is one serious ob- jection to the law as 1t now stands.
 The present machinery is too intri- cate and those who own property and those who have responsibility of as- sessing property are compelled to de- vote weeks and even months in the matter of adjusting valuations. This same thing is gone over year after year and there is no rest or security for the taxpayer, and the method of throwing out a dragnet and bringing into court any and everybody with the hope of a compromise which means fees to the tax commissioner Is not only unjust but a great vexation to every honest man who wishes to do his full share toward furnishing his proper proportion of the funds neces- sary to run the government We would ask that you would give public express sion of your views as to whether or not the office of county back tax com missi oner should be abolished by the legislature or that he be placed on a salary instead of continuing the fee system.
 It is our belief that the state, coun- ties end cities should have revenue adequate for the conduct of their busi- ness honestly, efficiently and econom- ically administered. We do not de- sire any advantage for the taxpayers of Jefferson county, nor do we wish the taxpayers of this county to shirk any part of the just burdens of govern ment. We do, however, believe that there has been a constant tendency in the affairs of the state to impose upon the state government burdens which should be met by local taxation and dency to unfairly increase the propor- erilment paid by the county of Jeff the state.
 through the press from each of you ant subjects Is requested. Very re- spectfully,
 T. H. MOTION,
 JAMES BAILEY,
 W. B. LEEDY.
 J. L. YANCEY,
 c. F. MANLY,
 MDAUJD