Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1914-11-14
TAX COMMISSION MAKES
5 BIC RAISE IN VALUATION
Of E[KO COUNTY LAND

blood sucking politicians would ar
range for steam shovel to shovel it
out.
In conversation with an Independent
reporter today County Assessor Wea-
ther stated that the increase demand
ed by the commission would raise val
uatons in this county about 81, 1000, 900.
But this is only half the story. The
commission is said to be still read
justing and it is proposed to increase
the roll to $30,O00,OOO, which is ap-
proximately S7,00O,OO0 more than it is
at present. Where the end will be,
know.
In the letter to Mr.. Greathouse it is
stated that the county rate is to be
cut from "a Gems. to So cents. This is
misake, inasmuch as the present
rate is 70 cents. This makes the cut
in the county ratet just 20 cents.
vada 1912, and section of the Neva-
da Tax Commission Act, chapter 134
-NO'oud 1o1O,
Board of County commissioners of
Elko County is hereby directed to re-
luce said county rate for the year
1914 80 per cent or a reduction of the
present rate from "a cents to SO
cents.
You are further instructed to make
such additional reduction in your
county rate as bullion tax receipts in
creases in livestock assessment or any
other source of revenue will permit.
Very truly yours,
NEVADA TAX COMMISSION,
]. F. Shaughnessy, Chairman,
c. H. Colburn, Commissioner,
F. N. Fletcher, Commissioner.
Attest: l.. F. Adamson, Secretary. a.
The above letters speak for. them.
selves, yet we cannot refrain from
comment. The substance of it all is
that our state government has grown
80 expensive that the tax commission
considers itself obliged to squeeze
more money out of the taxpayers to
meet the demands upon the state
treasury.
AS it was aptly put some time ago, If
But the cut in the county rate Is
little consolation to the taxpayers, and
of little or no concern to the commits
sion. 1t is the state rate that con-
Germs them. The state rate Is 60
cents on the 500 valuation, and with
the $7,0O0,OOO increase which it is
claimed is proposed, Elko county will
be obliged to pay into the state treas
ury annually S180OOO AS Elko coun-
ty has been paying about one-fifth of
the entire state revenue, If all counties
are similarly treated the state revenue
will approximate 100000. With pop
ulation of $4,000 this means a per
capita tax of more than $11 for state
purposes alone. Such tax cannot be
found in any other state in the Union.
According to Assessor Weathers he
3zed the valuation on sage brush hill
land at $2.25. The commission raises
1t to $3.50. Pasture land he fixed at
Sc and 1t is raised to SIS. Meadow
lands with wild hay he fixed at $3.50
and it has been raised to $24. Grain
land he fixed at $11, and alfalfa at SIS,
and these have been increased to $45.
This Is regardless u cash valua-
tions and regardless of locality. There
may be favored localities in Elko coun-
ty where land might justly be assess.
ed at the values fixed, but they are
few and far between. It is a fact that
very few will pay two per cent inter
est on such valuation.
But the greatest injustice in hori
zontal raise of this kind is to the
small owner. The big owners hold
the cream OF the land, both In point
Of location and possibilities of produc
ton. But as a rule the big owner
does a proportionately small amount
OF cultivation. The small owner, in
order to live must cultivate, and fol
this his taxes are increased When ht
breaks Up and cultlvates pasture lant
his taxes are increased from SO to S4I
per acre. He is taxed, or better said
he is fined for his industry.
The tax commission is proving
complete farce SO far as ARRANGING
equitable taxation is concerned, ant
the next legislature should wipe 1t ou
completely and inaugurate new syf
tenn which will insure just and equits
(Continued on Last paoa1