New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1917-01-06
THE BOARD OF AFFAIRS

Of Affairs. rs announced by the
Governor. has been so long dis
counted. that the publication Of
the names If the three selections
carries with it no surprise.
Mr.. i. u. Thomas. who will
probably be the chairman, has had
an intimate connection with pup
lie affairs for many years, as bauk
examiner. legislator aud Speaker
Of the House Of Representatives,
and having given much study 10
fiscal affairs. is familiar with the
State s needs and the inequalities
which exist under her present tax
alton system Mr.. Robt. Riordan
has served long as member OF
The Board Of Appraisers and may
be presumed TO have the knowl-
edge essential to an intelligent so
luton Of the problems which will
confront the Board. Judge
Thomas Milling. the third mem
Der. is a lawyer who stands high
in the section in which he resideS
The task confronting the l}Tgen-
is a serious one and it is RI that
dered less easy by the mn iority
AGAINST sog e''' ths oy'sdidment creating ,.,H
the Board. The late adml',s, h1e
ton bequeathN - Ent the
d d'agislat !" us ns'\ this shortage s
with the levy Of S Spto now adj
the current veg tbers,fore. freed
, ~ .i, 81 legacy and tnot com
b pedeHui' 'fk to use its own re8nxpues tt
meet it and thus handicap its Fsl
fort to carry out its pledge to
hold expenses within its receipts.
But the demands Of the State
do not stand still and the prob
lem ofo,a,,,,n' GARD will be to find
,nofh;na - tha without adding
who already find burden of of. those t
heavy and, indeed, iii the re-
solve to distribute the burden in
such way as to reduce it in re-
speet to many individuals and
communities.
The Board will not begin its
labors as popular institution. 1t |
may never become that. But if |
it takes hold Of its job with intel
ligence and courage. the results
may convince the country people
'Vho rtied to defeat the amend
nfent that it is moving along lines
that are in the interest of the
State as whole.
Assessments are now very un-
evenly distributed. Some Of the
parishes are contributing to the
state so much less than others
some indeed receiving more out
Of the treasury for their schools
than they pay in for oil purposes
that the necessity for State
body to control assessments for
State purposes is absolutely un-
nnswerable. There are other in
CAPABILITIES. The real estate owner
undoubtedly has shifted to him
some of the burden which the
corporate interests ought to bear.
In All fairness he ought to be re-
lieyed Of it.
The Board will not Of course be
able to solve its problem hur-
riedly. 1t is work which needs
must 60 forward slowly; and that
It is not likely to be radical may
be inferred from the statement Of |
Mr.. Thomas. which we printed i
and in which he puts
on record as desiring to
zee 1t fulfil its mission on the basis
- Stttt RitittniN III puhi5 Hu- I
aud without any in
,rease Of taxation.
Largely the work which now
,egins of separating State aud \
oVal assessments is experimental.
The new act doubtless will de.
.elop defects as 1t begius to ope- 4
ate. Nt tiess> defectt can read
~ Legislature;
confidence of
evolving plans
easonablc and fair to Y
a. myers. there is no reason
rhy a foundation may not he laid
fithin the life of thi administra-
ion Of new system, that will q
uunlizn a ccrSSmnntS and hiring n