Arizona republican., 1916-09-10
Meaningless Figures

We have read with interest, mingled with amuse- ment long statement by leader of of the dem factions designed the charge by the other faction that the has been wasteful and extravagant and that taxation has be- needlessly burdensome There has been lot of printers ink and good news print wasted in this exculpatory showing, notwithstanding it appears its face to be sound and plausible Equally apparently sound and plausible and useless adverse exhibits intended to show that the burden per capita of Arizona, well the per capita of the state is greater than that of any other state As matter of fact, all these figures they shalled and juggled by parsans really nothing. though to the casual uniformed reader they may appear convincing
 The statement to which we have referred proves that the has been steadily lowered ing the past five years. There is no dispute about that. But the tax rate may be important fac tor in the matter of taxation. Whether it is depends entirely upon what happens to that other factor-vauation. Taxpayers do not care what the rate is, standing alone; do they care what system of valuation is employed, standing alone. But they do immensely when the factors are brought together in their bills.
 The statement considering pretends make comparison between the of taxation pre- vious 1913 and the various rates that have existed since. The statement contains mention the fact that previous 1913, property in Arizona was as- sessed at not than one half it's cash value and sometimes one-third less. Since 1913 an attempt has been made the law requires property its full cash value
 As this statement prepared expressly for sumption by the farmers and especially for the farm of this county it Sshown by it that while the mining companies paid only IT per cent of the state taxes, they have paid much since and will this year pay 45 per cent. It is shown by the statement that this county will back the state school fund this s24O0O considerably more than it's contribution to the fund But the state ment appears to fail to take into it's calculation that Marcopa county has had to contribute any part of the fund
 All these figures dust in the air effective only far the careless taxpayer the taxpayer concerned They will fool the who has paid taxes. The thoughtful the taxpayer with who has preserved his receipts through long period of years will disregard the figures and the statement and steadily reducing tax altogether He will also find that regardless of the fact that the mining companies paying 45 cent of the state taxes now instead only r per cent previous to 193 regardless of the the state tax rate is less than half much it was previous to 1913; regardless of Marcopa county is receiving gift of s124OOO from the school fund, he has been heavily taxed from year to year to meet the demands of government He is, after all in the boat with the mining com- panies notwithstanding demagogues tell him that he belongs to another and opposing class As the taxes of the mining companies go up. his go up he is less able than the big mining companies sustain the higher flight
 It isn't the rate that counts it isn't the system of valuation that counts. Figures showing per capita cost may nothing The amount of taxes in dol lars and cents is what interests we'll as every other taxpayer.