La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1916-11-04
VOTE NO" ON NO. FIVE
Why Colorado Tax Commission
Should Not Re Abolished-State
Institutions BETTER Supported

ehNs th'H tdN
commission. one OF the most i'm
portant departments OF the state
government No tax payer should
cast his ballot on the proposition
until he has fully informed himself
regarding what he is doing.
The adjustment of the State Tax
Commission would be serious
mistake. 1t would be step back
ward in civic progress from which
the Centennial State would not re-
cover for years. Here are few facts
to justify the statement:
Before the creation of the State
Tax Commission by the Eighteenth
General Assembly. Colorado was
without any system whatever for
fixing uniform valuations as basis
for taxation for the maintenance of
the state.
The valuations for state taxes were
left entirely TO the discretion of the
various boards OF county commits
sioners and the county assessors.
with such supervision as the State
Board OF Equalization could give
with its very limited authority.
This resulted in many counties in
the state escaping their fair burden
OF taxation. while others carried
more than their share of the load.
Many were assessed as low as 10 per
cent OF their full valuation. none
exceeded 40 per cent. This condition
was manifestly unjust and unfair.
Previous to the appointment OF
the commission, very pernicious
practice OF allowing rebates were
carried on In the various counties.
corporations and individuals taking
advantage of the county commission
ers in one way or another To OBJ
tain reduction OF the assessments
made by the assessor. In one single
year the rebates allowed amounted
to 100000.
The state institutions of learning.
including the University of Colora-
do. the State Teachers College. the
State School of Mines and the Colo
RADIO Agricultural College-institu
tions provided and maintained by
the state for the education of your
boys and girls--were sadly neglect
ed and so poorly supported under
the old system that there were times
when they were almost compelled
to close their doors.
The State Tax Commission has
created an absolutely equitable dis
tribution of the tax burden all over
Colorado by insisting that the var
ious assessors assess every piece OF
taxable property In the state at it's
full. true. fair cash valuation. At
tention has been given to corpora
tions and to individuals with such
thoroughness and fairness that ev-
cry section OF the state is now car
rying It's full share OF the burden
no more and no less.
The allowing OF rebates by coun-
~ commissioners has been abol-
ished To secure rebate OF taxes
now. property owner must carry
his case TO the State Tax Commls-
sion and there show indisputablo
proof that his claims are just No
longer can he WELD such personal
or political influence as he may pos
sess In persunding the commission
ers In his own county TO reduce
his taxes
Under the system inaugurated and
maintained by the State Tax Com
mission. the state institutions OF
learning have been better supported
than they ever have been before. and
this without one dollar OF increase In
the state taxes paid by the people.
The purpose OF the State Tax
Commission was the eauitabl. dis
tribution of the tax burden and tho
checking up Of large amount Of
property which II was believed was
escaping taxation. While assessed
valuations have been increased. the
icvies have been kept at such fig
urc that no tax payer is now paying
one dollar more than he paid under
the old system-bus EVERY TAX
PAYER In the. state II PAYING HIS
JUST SHARE. a large amount OF
property has been added to the tax
rolls which hitherto had been over.
looked.
In view Of these facts, the aues.
tion before the voter on November
9Th will be simple one. II the peo-
pie Of Colorado want TO return TO
the old. loose methods. they may
do no by voting In favor Of the
"a ,u mn A sa.os totst.t.a q. .lasf.t. Al.