Imperial Valley press., 1916-11-04
SOME IMPORTANT ISSUES

Clvde L. Seavev chairman of the State Tax Commis-
sion has issued public statement to the effect that the
passage Of Proposition No. s. the November ballot
known as the single tax amendment would throw the
business and industries of the State into state OF chaos
would wipe out all land values, would impair seriously
The value Of 1882 100000 Of outstanding State county ana
municipal bonds would impair the value OF SSH lOOOOOO
of pabnc utility stocks and bonds In the State would
practically destroy the value OF millions OF dollars Oh
stocks and bands OF private corporations would under
mine the values which the savings OF the State nave
invested S344000,000 would cause the withdrawal OF
mortgage loans to thousands of home buders-ln short
hat it would be tantamOunt to trying to cure violent
headache by hanging the patient by the neck.
II have issued his statement said MI. Seavey, be
se feel that the voter does not reallze tne
menace to the State concealed IN the slngle tax amend
lent It's proponents have been making quiet but ac
i've campaign and have been informed that thousands
Of voters in the cities likely to vote for it through
misunderstanding OF what it really means. can scarce
v conceive worse disaster to the prosperity OF the
than the passage Of this amendment IN It's present
drastic form.
The so-caed Single Tax Amendment No. 5 on the
ballot to be voted on November T. 1916 seeks to amend
Article 13 of the Constitution by providing that:
1st. Public revenues, State, county, municipal and
district shall be raised by taxation land values eX
elusive of improvements.
End No tax or charge for revenue shall be i'm
posed upon any labor product occupation business or
person
3rd Assessments of incomes and inheritances may
lie made to provide old age pensions mothers endoW-
nents and workingmens Unemployment and disability
insurance
4th Land holdings shall be assessed according to
their value for use occupancy without regard to mans
work thereon
5th Land value is to be determined by the SomeI's
system or other means of exact computation.
9th The rental and site values of land are to be
taken for public
All conflicting provisions repealed and the
amendment takes effect January l, 1917.
1t has been pointed out by earnest advocates OF the
single tax idea that this amendment is loosely drawn
that its meaning in many regards is obscure and would
bring on years financial choas and law suits But aside
rom the fact that it is admittedly uncertain as to its full
meaning is interesting to know what it would accom-
pish where its meaning is clear and where its words are
taken at their face value.
1t would on January l. 1917, relieve the railroads and
other public service corporations, banks and insurance
companies from paying nearly Sl4OOOOOO OF taxes year.
iy to the state.
1t would relieve other corporations from paying
yearly to the state $26000O0 for franchise and IL
cense taxes.
1t would wipe out the inheritance tax and other
smaller sources OF regular State and the amount
OF approximately $3500OOO yearly
It Woud eliminate municipal and county fees and
1t would eliminate from local taxation improvements
personal property, money and solvent credits
sessed at 81 065369615 representing tax of approx
nately $4,000 000
It would thus throw total additional burden ofS67-
100000 upon the assessed land value consisting of the