Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-01-23
bT|NC|NC REDUkE
|TOTHf TREASURER
OF ADA COUNTY
Governor Alexander Tells
"Why Taxes Are High"
in Reply to Letter From
New York Man.

A smarting rebuke is administered
BY Governor Alexander to the treasurer
bf Ada county for her reference in an
wer to an inquiry as to why the taxes
we're high: Il refer you 10 Governor
Alexander as to why taxes are so much
higher this year. as he promised re-
iuction in taxes" This remark was
made in a letter written by Anna M.
Moody to f. X. Shultz, New York,
when he inquired of her to ascertain
why taxes were so much higher last
ear on his apple orchard near kuna,
which. he purchased from the Avalon
orchard Tract company. The county
treasurer, he says, informed him in her
etter she had nothing to do with the
assessing Of property, which is attend
Id to by the assessor. whereupon, ne
Inserts, she adds the above quoted re-
mark. Mr.. Shultz then wrote the gov
ernor, who not only censures the treas
lrer but declares he is convinced Re-
publican officials are deliberately using
heir taxing power to counteract his
Efforts to reduce taxes in Idaho.
The governors letter to Mr.. Shult2
Is as follows:
Mr.. F. X. Shultz,
"2054 Grand Central Terminal,
New York City. n. Y.
Dear Sir: l am in receipt of your
etter of Jan. 13 and am glad you have
written me as it gives me an oppor-
unity to enlighten you on the ta>
Question relative to the increased taxa
lion on your Avalon Orchard acreage
Taxes in Ada county for county
purposes are over 40 per cent higher
han in 1914, and state taxes are APP
broximately Is per cent lower than fol
914. 1 caused to be published in the
Boise papers a notice that l would pay
hny mans taxes on which there was {
higher rate for state purposes for 1917
Than there was for 1914, but up to dat'
have had no applicant or reply 70,
i he simple reason that the state taxe'
re not under the supervision of th'
governor. are higher, so you can read
ly see where the blame lies, and !
seems to be the disposition of som'
hot to give credit where credit is due
Regrets Remark Made.
Referring to quotation in your lette
r I'm Tax Collector Mrs. Anna Moody
Will say, however, that / refer you t
Governor Alexander as to why take
are so much higher this year. as h
promised a reduction in taxes, it |
with pleasure that answer same. al
hough it is to be regretted that ta'
collector of any county of the state
where the intelligence of the people j
IS high as found any place, would fee
compelled to refer business of thei
office to the governor of the state Z
be answered. However, as governor =
he state | am only too pleased to serv
he people, residing in or out of tn
btate, and the answer to your inquir
as stated above, the county raise
axes for county purposes to such n
mount to offset the reduction made i
state taxes.
Puts II Up to Republicans.
1.-THE frequency with which Republi
ian officials backed by a strong Re
publican press of the state make as
ertions similar that made by Mrs
Moody convinces me that Republican
having taxing powers entrusted to ther
inder the laws of this state. have de
iberately used these powers for tn
purpose of increasing taxes levied with
their discretion in order to fore
he people of their taxing district {
pay unnecessary money solely to coun
eract, if possible, the efforts of tn
Governor to reduce taxes in this STATE
They are able to do this only an
Eolely because a Republican legisla
ure of this state refused to carry OF
he recommendations made by the gov
Irnor of the state and the state Ia
Commission that a law be enacted linn
ting the taxing powers of all sue
bodies to the actual amount necessar
Tor their requirements. and making
necessary to secure the approval
he governor of the state upon propC
Ihowing to be made before taxes
xcess of the actual necessities coul
be levied.
Legislature Failed to Act.
Had the legislature passed such
aw. bill for which was presented
hat body by Republican membe
fter being drafted by the state Ia
commission and having the sanctio
nd approval of that body your inqui.
o the tax collector would have bee
his county woul6 not have been a
orded the opportunity to give the il
imation that the fault for higher ta'
ton is the governors work. In fa
be has reduced taxes instead Of il
reasing them, for had this law bee
nacted, as it should have been, the
Would have been reduction of taxatiC
n Ada count and not an increase.
THE increase i'm Ada county alol
made by the county commissioners
approximately 100000.
IF the taxpayers OF Ada county al
Billing to pay that much money add
ional in order to permit Republics
fficials and Republican newspape
alsely to make it appear that II
Governor of the state has not Ike
aith with the people then they Dug
lot to complain because their taxes a
Ugh.
always glad to serve you. l am,
Yours very truly,
m. ALEXANDER,