Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1914-11-27
MR.. BOOTH
SHOULD VISIT ELKo

Editor Booth. Of the Tonopah Bonanza, is either entirely unacqua.n ted
find infinite Satisfaction in the action of the State Tax commission in rails
ing land valuations in Elko county. Perhaps he las been misled by certain
editorials in a n Eko paper, just a $ others have been. If he would come
to Eko and gMs s. :: one day to the study o conditions here. he would be
For his information and the information Of others not acquainted with
real conditions. we will say that along the Humboldt river. from Wells to
the Iovdock meadows there is practically nothing but wild hay and the
average yield OF IL the bottom lands is less than one ton per acre. This
land in Elko county has been assessed at $3.50 Per acre. which is in just
commission has raised the Ia valuation o. this land to s24. This amount
which brings the cash valuation to over $43 per acre.
Now the fact remains that there is not a ranch IN the Humboldt river
in Eko county worth this amount W. will venture the statement that there
is not one that Is paying four per cent interest o n such a valuation. and
most of them are lot paying two e cent.
The same injustice Is worked in every character of land in the county
Cultivated land is assessed on a ash valuation of SIS a acre., yet we do
matter of fact the best ranch in the county a be bought for less.
,,, Sage sag oa brush hill hill Lar is assessed ,"ns It a cash valuation If $3.50 pei acre
Eko to md quantities of such land that will not maintain a billy goat per
cheap and was bought by the section and is as included in a section
such land in Eiko county which does not and cannot be made to pay one,
tenth of one per cent on such a valuation a very large portion of the
The principal complaint against the action of the commission is the
fact that all lands. absolutely regardless of locality and actual valuation.
are cassed and uniformly assessed. We know of cultivated lands located
far from railroads and shipping points that cannot be sold for s25 pei acre
ye tM ss vn are assessed SeSstoa On 1am a ASH O"'S " s' pei "'re' the same a 'e
There are hundreds of small owners in Elko county toflng their fingers
o. to make a livelihood. They have cultivated their lands in order to make
on account Of their labor and industry.
tivated land in Eko county. Yet the former produces three crops per ear
while in this county this year only n crop was produced. The average
value of cultivated land in Elko' county is perhaps onethird of the vaue of
that in LovelOck meadows; still they are assessed the same.
The secret of 1T all is that the Tax commission is taking an easy
near Oh raising more tate revenue. The state is in the grasp OF a lot Of
boodsucking politicians. We have a lot of useless commissions and officers
drawing big salaries. and or treasury has been drained. 1t is realized that
more money must be raised in order to meet the ever increasing demand,
and the Tax commission has resorted to the rankest piece of work yer
pulled off in the state. The whole thing is damnabe.
The next legislature, If it does not do another thing, should wipe out
every useless onceholder. The time has come when it must be done. be.
cause, instead Of encouraging homese ekers and home builders to come here
and help develop or agricultural res sources, we are forbidding them, and
not only this, W 70 are dHcouragfng those who are here.
This paper wants to see just and equitable taxation. We would go SO
ia as to punish the tx dodger. We want to SCI Elko county pay her just
proportion Of state revenue, but the workings of u Tax commissioners
ated' II yu please In tn hope II equalzing taxes-brings ouE present ss-
tenn into utter contempt.
In the name of justice let it be done away with, together with all other
costly nj useless. commissions and Offices. Let the state get down 10 a
business basis and rex itf from the grasp OF vampire politicians.