Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-02-13
ann stronr fipht for the I'm.

ldIlN hlIuhE ilBnl Iul lht Dlll,
Bingham g tax limitation bill, Sen.
ate Bill No. So, has created vast com
ment throughout the state and is still
under consideration by the committee,
probably to come in in amended form
early next week. The main objection
offered to the plan comes from Multi
nomah county aud Portland, and from
a number Of cities and towns which
have developed with great rapidity in
the past few years. Why this Obiec.
ti0n arises lies in the main provision
Of the measure which limits any taxing
district from levying any year tax
not to exceed six per cent more than
the tax levied in the preceding year,
Taking these objections into consid-
Grafton Senator Bingham has agreed to
proposed amendments which he be-
licves will meet the situation. This
tentative amendment win probably
provide that in event any taxing dis
trict shall increase in population oyeI
certain per cent during any one yeal
that an elasticity Of the increase in the
levy win be provided from over the
six per cent mark to meet the emerg
ency With these additional features
it is believed that the objections will
be met and the bin will be sent in fol
consideration Of the legislature,
The third measure Of prime import
ance is bin providing for extending
the county budget system to all taXml
districts with the exception Of Port
land. The county budget law requires
the county court, at specified tim,
prior TO levying the tax, to adyertis,
the budget proposed for the next year,
expenditures and TO call a meeting oi
the taxpayers Of the county TO discuss
that budget, to criticise or commend i
and to furnish the court a criterion al
to public sentiment MS 10 the propose,
expenditures. Other features OF tn,
county budget law allow referendum
on an excessive budget and genera
plan of information to the taxpayer
as TO the amount Of money needed an,
as to what channel It will flow in fron
the public purse.
Numerous measures have been intro
duced to secure legislation desired b,
county ASSESSORS These include pro
visions as to the changes Of distric
| boundaries, consultation Of assessors q
TO legal advice provisions as to listin
hy assessors and other details Of thei
official duties which are of much i'm
port to them IN carrying ON the dutie
Of their office,
One bin Of far reaching effect is !
the matter Of a laxative act GROWN
ont Of the wide protest as 10 the l0l
tax law penalties and the confusio
the arose from the decision Of Circui
Judge Clecton Of Multnomoh count
which declared that law nnconsiitutior
al. This curative action iC passed, wi
prevent the enforcement through at
ton or suit the collection Of amy pet
atty or interest that might remain NJ
paid under that law This bill, II
proposed win clean the tax books 0
Old penalties and interest and say
thousands Of dollars in litigation whic
might arise In an attempt to secur
! the collection Of small per cent d
that amount In penalties and interes
Members Of the committees ON t1
subject of assessment and taXatio
state that they have attempted,
placing their program Of propose
legislation aud in approving or disol
! rowing bills before the legislature,
suggest changes that are IN immcdiol
b demnnd, but at the same time TO avoi
: cluttering the statute books with us
less legislation,