The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1918-05-24
MR.. BURKE REPLIES TO NM.
cLYATT
Tallahassee, Fla. May 8. 1918.

Tallahassee, Fla, May 9. 1918.
TO the Editor Ocala Banner:
My good friend, Mr. W w Clyatt
broke into print" a short while ago
In you paper, in an attempt to advise
the dear people on the subject that,
am quite sure, he might study more
carefully than he has, and learn more
about it before so generously Offering
advice 10 others.
The part of his communication that
he intended for "sarkasum" as 10
personal property" of, is not worthy
whom the tax commission was the
OF any attention; the charge made by
inference that the commission has in
creased taxes, however, merits at
tention, but the making OF such a
charge by one that deems himself
capable Of advising others appears
somewhat ridiculous.
The duty Of the tax commission,
which is plainly laid down in the law.
is to act as an equalization board, 10
see that the valuations il each county
are as nearly as may beno T lind
are as nearly as may be On & parity,
as well as to have general supervision
over assessments as 10 individuals,
to see that Justice is meted out &c all
tax payers.
The 1913 lax rolls VIII show that
this object has been attained to de-
gree that could not have been reach
ed except through the Work Of cen
tral body, supervising the entire as
easements In the state. BY meeting
with the assessors and Ia xoffces Of
each county, the commission has de-
velOped a spirit Of cooperation and
good will among all OF them that mas
not existed heretofore, and which will
tend 10 the accomplishing Of great
improvements in our tax system. The
assessors are an intelligent body Of
men, patriotic, and stand always ready
to do their duty as they see il; the
commission by advising each as to
what all other assessors were doing.
has enabled them TO each see more
clearly what his part should be, and
they are now working tremendously.
more equal and just than has been
done heretofore The fact that an as
SCISSOR was competent and conscien,
tious in the performance of his duties
In assessing his own county. would
not enable him to make his valuations
80 as to be in harmony with values
placed by other assessors, unless
some central controlling body could
each be duly advised along this line
This the commission is doing.
1t is a noticeable tact, that every
tax dodger has, and is now opposing
the tax commission. and doing all in
his power to hamstring it, The tax
commission has succeeded in having
millions Of dollars Of taxable property
placed ON the 1918 tax roll, which has
escaped taxation in the past, shows
why these siackers are opposed TO
its existence. The work in this line
has only begun, an dbetter results
may be expected for 1919. The poor
man, the one whose property is Wis
ible and easily located, has been bear
ing the burden Of taxation uncom-
plainingly for years, while the wealthy
who dishonesty conceal their hold
ings. escape their just share of the
burdens of the state 1t is the tax
slackers that the commission is after,
and that good men like Mr. Clyatt,
who has to pay his taxes in full,
should assist in any way in aiding
tax lodging is bit surprising.
The Good Book tells us that the
world was six days in the making, and
If this be true, why get impatient
with officials VINO are honestly striy-
ing to do their duty? The present tax
system has been in existence for
thTeesqnarters OF century. it is deep
rooted and will require time and pa
thence and much work to co1rest the
evils Of it. But relief is in sight The