Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-04

which the municipal boards of assessors
perform their duty.
There is evidently a strong sentiment
In most of the states for a modification
of the uniform rule contained in the con-
stitution of many of our states and it is
equally true that this movement is re-
garded with more or less distrust by the
people who are reasonably satisfied with
the time honored method of general prop
erty taxation. My impression is that a
reasonable classification of personal
property for taxing purposes can safely
be made. 1 can hardly believe that any.
state legislature would improperly use
this privilege. Public opinion after all is
the strongest force in our country and
would not be slow TO disapprove any ten
deney in this direction
Maine has witnessed many changes
since 1t was made a state in 1920. The
primitive conditions of those days have
largely disappeared. Then the great
mass of our people were living on farms.
Agriculture and the fisheries represented
the occupations of most of our people.
Manufacturing as an industry was almost
unknown. Railroads and the many other
great instrumentalities of public service
which We enjoy today had no place, they
were equally unknown. Our State val
uation in 1920 was $50, 900 900. At the pres
ent time 1t is approximately $500, O0O. 900
and by this l mean only such property
as is subject to taxation under the gen.
eral property tax.
The real estate situate in cities, towns
and plantations, is valued approximately
$3.50, 100000. OF this the land value is 1870
and $50 represents the value of buildings
and improvements. The wild land town
ships are valued at nearly $50 100000 and
the personal property is taxed locally on
a value of 500, coo The proportion of
personal property valuation to the total
valuation is somewhat less than it was
p years ago. In 1870 practically every
form of property was subject TO local
taxation, but the figures of half billion
as our State valuation does not tell the
whole story. Our railroad property and
street railroad property not subject to
local taxes are worth near 500, 600. 900
are about $175, and to this may be
added considerable figure for property
of other public service corporations
Maine has grown AM developed in
wealth and industry during the past 10
years more rapidly than at any time dur
ing her history as a State and yet We
have only a beginning. Our great re-
sources present a golden opportunity for
more marked progress in the future
The rapid increase of public expendi-
lures during recent years deserves our
attention and I fear will be a handieap
to our prosperity for years to come.
Taxes are increasing more rapidly than
our wealth. The public expenditures of
our State. counties and municipalities
have been greater during the past two
years than at any period in our history
1t is not in our State alone that this con-
dition prevails 1t is the cry that comes
from nearly every state. Certainly some
effort should be made to effect a redue-
ton in taxation already far too high.
AT time when our commerce and in
dusiry are greatly disturbed by the Eu-
ropean war; when personal economy is
being most rigidly enforced. when en-
terprise is being eurtailed. certainly the
demand is for a material reduction in
public expenditures.
The call of the times is for greater eff
cheney. and a more rigid economy in
states, counties and municipal admirss-
trations.sf 4se ess a-
The addresses were followed by inter
esting discussions, and the afternoon
session adjourned shortly before the
supper hour.
The third session of the conference
was held Thursday evening and con-
sisted of a round table discussion OF
several administrative problems
brought up by different members. The
inheritance tax of New Hampshire
was first considered and from that
subject the tax officials turned to con-
ditions in other states and the meth
DDS of dealing with these conditions.
Program for Today
The program for today is as fol-
lows: Fourth session $50 A. NJ. l..
Methods of Determining Values Of
Real Estate" (a) True Consideration
in Deeds" OBJ, Gathering of Data of
Sale Prices by State Tax officials"
by Mr.. Corbin, tax commissioner Of
Connecticut; 2, THE Controlling Fac
tors In Ad valorem Taxation of Rail-
roads, Telephone and Telegraph Conf
panies." by Mr.. Plumley, tax COM
missioner of Vermont; 8. THE Taxa
ton of Greenhouses" by Mr.. Kings
ley. president of Rhode Island Tax
Assessors Association: 5, The Ex-
penditure of Tax Income and It's Au-
dit" by Theodore N. Waddell of the
Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics;
5, election of officers transaction of
other business and adjournment.
1t may be necessary to divide the
session today into two; in any event,
final adjournment will be reached in
time to allow delegates to leave Au-
gusta at o'clock this afternoon.
Houlton is co have boxing exhibit
ton Tuesday evening, Dec. s. The
main bout will be between Ernest Nc
Intyre of Woodstock who has never
been beaten, and Johnny Glover, the
New England champion middle
weight of South Boston, in two s.
round bouts. These boys went the
liy,,;t OF Fort Fairfield on Thanks