Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-02-09
TAX HEARING VERY TAME
ONLY FEW MEMBERS OF COUN-
TY BOARD PRESENT
"One- Sided, Said DIR. Schreiner De-
cision and Hearing at Madison
on February Is

Messrs. Lyons and Atwood, members
of the state tax commission, were in the
city, Friday last, to conduct the hearing
on appeal of the town of Sterling from
tax assessment made by the late coun-
ty board, wherein valuation of that
town was increased ten per cent from
the figures made by Income Assessor
Davis, as furnished him on the valua-
ttcn cards of the state commission by
the system invogue of making valua-
tons in towns by sales of property re-
corded, covering period of five year.
Many question thesplan, but that is the
system followed by the commission, and
they aver that it ia the most satisfac-
tory scheme devised On the other
hand the county board, by vote of 26
20 s, thought otherwise, changing the
valuation of Sterling from 81, 271, 25S
TO 81 sos, 1856 The contention of the
committee on equalization and later the
board that Sterling was lower in pro-
portion to value than other towns, cit
ing as one instance that Christiaua
land is rated at $40 per acre, while
Sterling is S44.
The hearing was opened with little
more than a third of the supervisors
present: Baglien of Christiana, Brye
of Coon, Berge of Franklin, Powell of
Genoa, Lepke of Harmony, Smith of
Liberty, Broadhead of Sterling, Lien of
Coon Valley, Hask ell of DeSoto, Schrein-
er of Westby, Hamilton. Hazen and
Garrett of Viroqua city.
Income Assessor Davis appeared for
Sterling and in defense of bis report to
the board, stating that from his esti-
mate and the valuation cards provided
him by the tax commission there was
no inequality of valuation, and the in
crease in Sterling was not warranted,
that he was guided by equity and jus
tice He said he made changes in six
precincts from the cards, four decreases
and two increases In closing state
ment MIR. Davis said he considered the
change an attempt to override his au-
thority end Judgment on the part Of
the supervisor (Mr. Eastman) who in
PRODUCED the resolution for Sterling's
increase. In personal conversation DIR.
Schreiner thought this an unfortunate
allusion. for If il were true it stamped
Mr.. Eastman as purposely unfair and
the twenty five supervisors who fol-
lowed or voted with him as either dupes
OF fools. This was the only visible
harshness that entered into the candid
hearing And throughout Il was con-
Quoted on high pleae, bringing out
facts of law and wage not generally
understood.
Chairman Broadhead appeared for
his town. Messrs. Lien and Brye. who
were members Of the equalization COM
mittee, gave little concrete testimony
as to the correctness or reason for the
raise in Sterling except as to personal
belief snd comparison on hearsay.
DR. Schreiner said it was unfortunate
that the trial was one.sided, that no
one appeared TO defend the interes-s of
the county and the action of the board,
to which Commissioner Lyons replied
| that the county was not concerned,
that it was mattar for adjustment
between the taxing districts Of the
county. The doctor raised a number
of points as to the method of determin-
| ing values and other assessment and
taxing problems.
After q free for ali discussion and a
| brief retirement by members of the
commission it was announced that mas
: uuch as only two members of the COM
! ,S.issiou were present the matter would
mot be determined till February 25,
! when ii will be permissible for any per-
son or official 10 appear who may wish
TO do so at Madison,