Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1914-03-05
KANSAS IS IDEAL
STATE IT CLAIMS
ExceIs All Others in Per Capita
Wealth and Fewness of Rich
Citizens-AboIish In
heritance Tax.

Topeka, Kan, March 5.-Nansas be-
lieves it has come nearer being the
ideal state from an economic standpoint
than any state in the country. 1t has
q greater per capita wealth than any
other state and has fewer rich men
than almost any other state. 1t is prob
able the millionaires of Kansas could
be counted on the fingers of both
hands. There are many men and wom-
en- of considerable wealth, but not q
single swollen fortune" There arc
many thousands of men and women III
comfortable circumstances.
Kansas raises its taxes for ti.e sup
port of the state, counties, cities, town
ships and school districts on basis
of S1.132.40 for every man, woman and
child in the state. That is the actual
assessed value per capita for all prop
taxes on capital stock, but there is no
assessment on the municipal bonds is
sued in Kansas and held by the resi-
dents of the state. So, adding the
valuation of the non-taxable bonds held
by residents to the assessed valuation
it gives Kansas an actual per capita
wealth of $1,74S for every man, woman
and child.
Just to prove that Kansas is no
stingy state the records of the motor
car registration department show that
during January, 1914, the state spent
$14,328 every business day of the month
for new motor cars and s2,S20 every
business day for second hand motor
cars. The value of the new cars is
estimated to be on an average $1,000
each and the old ones $500 each. There
are almost $4,000 cars in Kansas, one
for each 4S persons
Kansas had an Inheritance tax law
for four years, but 1t was repealed by
the 1913 legislature. During the period
| tn law was in force it was found only
three -tenths of ! per cent of those
who died left estates worth more thar
| $50,O00. and less than 10 per cent o1
1 the deaths We're of the owners ol
estates valued at more than $1,000
Here, is fine economic condition OF
which Kansas Is proud. 1t has pei
capita wealth of $1,743. and only IL
to have more than their rightful share
OF the per capita wealth.
The state tax commission has ius
| ioeen tabulating the records Of the four
years Of the Inheritance tax law to gee
just what the financial condition o,
those who died within the state was al
the time of death. During the foul
deaths in the state Of persons owning
property. Under the law every estate
had to make a report showing the
| value Of the property and the value OF
each dfstributive share. so the com.
mission has definite figures ON ever,
estate.
Three-te of 1 per cent Of tn,
| estates were valued at $4,000 or more
| and 1lh per cent of the estates had ar
appraised value OF s25. 600 and less thar
| $4,000. Only 51a per cent had prop.
erty worth over $1,000 and less thar
$25,oo0. and a total Of 10 per cent hac
property of around $4,000 and more
than $4,000.
ba fne the weatbe. .To men
wealthiest men of Kansas died and sew
eral others known to be Of consider
able wealth passed away. There was
one estate exceeding $1.o00,o0o in value
| and the other estates OF rich men were
| much less than that.