The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-23

l demands an arbitration, giving at the same time the name and address of his arbitrator. which said notice shall be | flied with the tax assessor; the boa rd shall name its arbitrator within three days after. and these two arbitrators shall l select a third. If the arbtra tors so se- lee1ed do not within five days select an umpire, either arbitrator shall notify the stare board of equalization of such fail- ure. and such board shall forthwith ap- rolnt and umpire. and the arbitrators so selected shall ascertain and fix co per cent of the reasonable cash value, as | tho taxable value of such property, and shall make report In writing to the tax assessor. and the decision of said arbi- t,dtors shall be final. The tax assessor shall ir the case of personal property enter the valuations fixed by the arbitra- tors on the assessment lists. and In the | case of real estate. he shall enter such valuations on the assessment lists, and on the land and lot book also: and said as- l sessment lists and land and lot book shall | be properly ruled and printed SO as to provide space in which such entries can be made. The said arbitrators shall rem der their decision and make report thereof within 10 days from the date ot the naming of the umpire else the de- | cision of the county board shall stand af- f'rmed. and shall be binding in the prem ises. Before entering upon hearing, the | sdlu erpltratOrS snall taKe an oath be- | fore the judge of probate, or his chief clerk that they will faithfully and im- partially ascertain the reasonable cash value of the property, and fix 30 per cent | thereof as the taxable cash value of the same, and will determine all matters sub mitted to them according to law. jus tice and equity of the case.
 Sec 7s. When the county board of equal ization shall have completed the work of hearing objections against the valuations fixed by 1t on taxable property, they, or any two of them, shall certify the cor rectness of the changes or alterations made in the tax returns and showing the items and values to be fixed by arbitra- tion, and deliver the returns to the tax assessor of the county, which changed or altered valuations, and the value fixed by the award of the arbitrators shall be the taxable value of the property or prop critics.
 Sec. 70. County boards of equalization in tho performance of their duties under the provisions of this act. shall have the | same powers and authority now vested in courts of county commissioners. or lcther courts of like jurisdiction. The opin- ion of a majority of said board shall govern, and at all times two members of said board shall constitute a quorum. All laws or parts of laws conferring upon commissioners courts, boards of revenue or courts of like Jurisdiction. any power. authority or control over the valuation, Il equalization or assessment of property for taxation are hereby repealed.
 Sec. SO The county board of edualiza- ton shall have and exercise exclusive right in their respective counties to fix the taxable value of all property therein not specifically required to be assessed by the state board of equalization, sub ject only to the right of arbitration, and to that end may be convened in special session at such time as in the Judgment of the chairman or a majority of said board, or the state board of equalization, is deemed necessary.
 See. Sl. Nothing herein shall be con strued to require the county board of equalization to value railroad property, telegraph or telephone lines, or any oth- CT property heretofore assessed by the this act to be assessed by the state board of equalization.
 Sec. S2. The failure of the county board iof equalization to perform any of it's duties at tho time prescribed or to com plste it's duties within the time specified by the act, shall not lnvalidate any as- sessment or any act of the board made after the expiration of such time. The duty of the county board of equalization to visit, inspect and examine each piece and parcel of real property in the several counties Is directory and failure to do SO shall not invalidate the assessment made by such county board of equaliza- ticn.
 Sec. S3. Whenever under the provisions of this act any notice, subpoena or writ lngs are required to be given or served
 tho same may be served by any sheriff
 in this state or his deputy, or by any lawful constable, or by any tax assessor of this state except as herein otherwise provided.
 STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
 Sec. S4. There is hereby created a board to be known as the state board of equal ization. to be composed of Chairman and two associate members, who shall he Iappointed by the governor. The governor shall appoint one member whose term shall expire on October 1, 1917, one mem Der whose term shall expire on Octo- Der l. 1919. and one member whose tern shall expire October 1, 1921, and the governor. at the time of the appointment shall designate which of said appointees shall be chairman of said board, and such terms shall begin on the date of the ap- pointmcnt by the governor. Upon the expiration of the terms of the members of said board appointed by the governor
 he shall appoint the successors of such members for a term of six years, and thereafter the members Of said board shall likewise be appointed by the gov eipor for a term of six years. In case
 
 ization caused at any time by death, res ignation, removal or otherwise the va caucy shall be filled by appointment by the governor. and such appointment shal
 be for the unexpired term.
 Soc. S5. The members of the state board Of equalization shall be qualified electors known to possess high character and knowledge of the general subject of taxa tion, and matters pertaining thereto. Nc member of said board shall hold another office under the government of the Unit. ed States, or under any other state or this state. or any political subdivision thereof during the term of office; ahd the members of said board shall devot. their entire time to the duties of theii office, and shall not hold any position ol trust or profit or engage in any occupa } ton or business, the duties or conduct oi which shall interfere or be inconsistent with the duties they shall assume as mem. bers of the state board of equalization under the provisions of this act. Pro vlded. that no one shall be eligible tc serve as member of the state board of equalization while employed by ol financially interested in any public service corporation, and shall have been a cti. zen of Alabama for a period ot five years 3 and shall be over 30 years of age. and shall be freeholder.
 } Sec s6. The members of the state board of equalization before entering upon the l discharge of their duties shall enter into bond in the sum of S5000 for the faith. full performance of his duties which bond } shall be approved by the governor, shal l take, subscribe, and file with the secre. tary of state the following oath of of.
 flee in addition to the general oath ol office prescribed for public officers by tht