Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-08-16

strong advocates of this plan. 1t Ia
understood he has the backing of other
members on the board. They are of
the opinion the laws do not require
that they should equalize as between
counties, but OH the other hand it does
not prevent them from equarizing for
state purposes only. If this plan goes
through it Will be a radical change
from the official acts of other equali-
cation boards.
No Fight To Interfere.
The supporters of the plan claim that
it is not fair to the counties nor to the
state to attempt to equalize the high
valuations of one county with the low
values of another county or vice versa
when local conditions in those respec-
tive counties, either for the purpose Of
making a high or low tax levy re-
qu!re the valuations reported on the
rolls. They assert that If a county is
willing to stand a high valuation to
raise more taxes for the purpose Of
accomplishing certain things that is
the business of the county and not u
matter that the state should interfere
with. On the other hand II is argued
that If a county can raise sufficient
revenue through taxation on a low val
ration that county should have the
right to benefit by the low taxation.
Confining its duties to equalizing as
between counties for state purposes
alone, it is asserted, win prevent the
present confusion resulting when the
state board of equalization meets and
Will not necessitate county assessors
30 20
endeavor to secure a lower valuation
or force the officials and tax payers of
those counties to bear the additional
burden of expense to be present in
Boise when the board meets to see
that they secure a fair equalization
The board equalizing for state pur-
poses alone would not make this al
most mandatory on the part of county
officials as seems to be the case each
year. it is claimed.
Figures Tell interesting Story.
Some interesting stories in figures
are told by the real property alb
stracts reported to the board by the
93 counties of the state. For instance
the apparent shrinkage in valuations
is shown In number OF classifica-
increases. In merchandise valuations
there is shown a total increase of
S6S6,S76. The merchandise reported in
1918 was s6,909,950 while this year the
merchandise reported was S7,596,S2S.
An increase in the grazing land ac-
reage is also shown. In 1913 the total
number of acres of grazing land re-
ported was 1,644,682 while this year
2,123,973 acres were reported. The
increase therefore in acres was 49,
291.
Some of the most glazing decreases
are shown in business and residence
lot valuations. In 1913 the total val
uation given to residence lots as re-
ported to the state auditor by the
counties was $26.S0S,S51. But this
year the total valuation given to resi-
dence lots was but $22.946,S21, a de-
crease in valuations this year over
last Of $3,S62, $50. The ratio of de-
crease in business lots is as large. In
1918 the total valuation of residence
lots reported amounted to 16,472, 651
but this year the total valuation re-
ported only amounts to $l4, 135, $50
leaving a decrease this year over last
year of $2,236,765.
The following tables show the valua-
tons reported by counties this year on
business and residence lots;
Business Lots.