Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-06-02
Nine months.

When the commission was organ
tied for the purpose of securing a fair
and equal assessment of property
throughout the state and an equaliza-
ton of the taxes as between the differ
ent counties of the state and the vari-
Gus municipalities. The commission
at that time consisted of one commits
sicner and two assistants, together
with some clerical helpfnt cost of
about $4,000 a year. With the addi-
tiop of the duties enumerated above,
the commission has grown to three
commissioners at salary of $4,000
a year each, a legal counsel at 49,
10000, a secretary at a salary of 49,
10000 year and about one hundred
and twenty-five assistants, consisting
of stenographers, statisticians, engin-
eers, accountants, clerks and travelling
agents at cost of S1S5, $4,000 for last
year
Bill Reorsanizes Tax Commission.
"In the interests of economy and
fair dealing with the state at large,
your committee has introduced bill
recognizing the tax commission, re,
adjusting and replacing the duties
which have been imposed upon the
commission into the departments
where they rightfully belong
"ln the first place the biz proposes
a transfer of the collection of the in
heritance tax back to the Office of the
attorney general where it was prior
to the year 1911
Second, in regard to the valuation
and assessments Of the steam rail-
roads and public utilities of the state,
the bill proposes to transfer this duty
to the railroad commission and the
er cheering staff which is the joint
property of the railroad and tax COM
missions is placed under the super
vision of the railroad commission. The
purpose of this change is to simplify
tn whole matter of the valuation and
assessment of properties of this char
acter and consequently reduce the
cost.
"The bill proposes that the valua-
tons of railroad properties and public
ut lities should be male by the rail-
road commission and where the val
uation is needed by tie tax commits
sion for the purpose of assessing the
physical properties of railroads and
public utilities the railroad commits
sion is required to furnish the in
formation on file to the tax commiG-
sion.
Accounting Systems Could Be Dropped.
Third, in regard to the accounting
systems introduced into cities, towns,
villages and counties by the tax COM
mission, it is the opinion of your COM
mittee, as well as the opinion of the
tax commission that this could be
very well dropped from the list of
activities of he tax commission.
Fourth, in regard to the supervisor
of assessment mentioned in the bill,
the county boards are given the right
to control their own assessments and
to elect~a supervisor of assessments
for a term of three years, decide on
his salary, and determine the number
and remuneration Of his assistants.
He is required to furnish a bond for
100000.
1.-THE bill proposes a tax commission
composed of three commissioners. one
of whom shall be the active head of
the comission, while the other two are
to be the governor and the state
treasurer, both as ex-officic members
of the commission. The salary of the
active commissioner is placed at
$4,000. He must take up his residence
In Madison; he can hold no other Of
fee nor serve on any committee of
any political party"