Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1914-11-20
for a steam shovel to shovel n

range for a steam shovel to shovel It
out.
In conversation with an Independent
reporter today County Assessor Wea-
Their stated hat the increase demand
ed by the commission would raise val
uations in this county about $4,000. 900.
But this is only half the story. The
commission is said to be stlll read
justing and it is proposed to increase
the roll to $4,000. 900, which is ap-
proximotely $7.Oo0.0oO more than 1t is
at present. Where the end will be,
the tax commission and the Lord only
know.
In the letter to Mr.. Greathouse 1t is
stated that the county rate is to be
cut from 81 Gems to SO cents. This is
a misake. inasmuch as the present
rate Is 79 cents. This makes the cut
in the county ratet just 20 cents.
yada 1912, and section 4 of the Neya-
da Tax Commission Act, chapter 1874
Nevada Laws 1913, the Honorable
Board of County commissioners OF
Elko County is hereby directed to re-
duce said county rate, for the year
1914 30 per cent or a reduction of the
present rate from 81 cents to SO
cents.
o 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,T
NEVADA TAX COMMISSION.
]. F.. Shaughnessy, Chairman,
c. H. Colburn, Commissioner,
F.. N. Fletcher, Commissioners.
Attest: l.. F. Adamson. Secretary.
The above letters speak for them
selves. yet we cannot refrain from
comment. The substance of 1t all is
that our state government has grown
so 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 1t was aptiy put some time ago, IL
But the cut in the county rate Is
little consolation to the Taxpayers, and
OF little or no concern to the commits
sion. II Is the state rate that con-
Germs them. The state rate Is 60
cents on the 800 valuation, and with
the $1,000, 900 increase which IT is
claimed is proposed, Elko county Will
be obliged to pay into the state treas
ury annually S1S0,O00. AS Elko coun-
ty has been paying about one-ffth of
the entire state revenue, If all counties
are similarly treated the state revenue
will approximate 5000, 900. With a mop
ulation of $4,000 this mean a per
capita tax of more than s1l for state
purposes alone. Such n tax cannot be
found in any other state In the Union.
According to Assessor Weathers he
fixed the valuation OF sage brush hill
land at 1925. The commission raises
II TO $3.50. Pasture land he fixed at
Sc and it is raised to SIS. Meadow
lands with wild hay he fixed at $3.50
and it has been raised to S24. Grain
land he fixed at $11, and alfalfa at SIS,
and these have been Increased to S45.
This is regardless of cash valua-
tons and regardless of locality. There
may be favored localities In Elko coun.
ty where land might justly be assess
ed ut the values fixed. but they are
few and far between. II Is a fact that
very few will pay two per cent inter
est on such n valuation.
But the greatest Injustice In a 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 n rule the big owner
does n proportlonately small amount
of cultivation. The small owner. in
order to live must cultivate, and for
this his taxes are increased. When he
breaks up and cultivatcs pasture land
his taxes are increased from Sc to S45
per acre. He is taxed, or better said.
he Is fined for his industry.
The tax commission is proving a
complete farce so far as arranging
equitable taxation Is concerned, and
the next legislature should wipe It out
completely and %inaugurate a new sys-
tenn which will insure just and equita-
BILE taxation. And every commission
and office that IS NOT nppeusory ehorId
be abolished. Property at present Is
tax-ridden and instead o encouraging
the development of our state We are
not only forbldding new settlers to
come in but arc discouraging our
present property holders to such an
extent that the great majority are
trying to sell their holdings and get
out. They are wisely trying TO place
| their n,pnny a., n4t.r ,.tn,.uy.