The Tupelo journal. (Tupelo, Miss.) 1876-1924, 1918-03-01
JACKSON LETTER
Feb. 20. 1918.

p1HC0 luc liiSdilc lOSplldl Hldllcl
was settled by the resignation of DR.
Butler, the legislature seems unable
to get right down to business. There
are but few matters of general in
terest that should claim the attention
of the body, but so far these matters
are unsettled. The question of rev
enue is one of these and it is diff
cult problem. 1t has been the custom
at each sitting of the legislature II
the past to appropriate more money
than the revenue of the state would
take care Of The needs of the state
ulation and with the material progress
we have made, but the lawmakers
have been afraid to go before the
people and tell them that they must
pay more taxes to raise the necessary
funds to run the state government
AS consequence of this policy in the
past there has been piled up bond is
sues to meet these deficits. At the
last session an effort was made to
work out system whereby the rev.
enue would equal the appropriations.
The Senate and House appointed a
joint committee to investigate the
revenue systems of other states and
also to formulate some change that
would meet the revenue difficulties
from which the state suffers. This
committee made a thorough investi-
cation of the matter and upon the
assembling of the 1918 session the
committee submitted it's report and
among its recommendations are fol-
lowing:
/. That the state tax commission
created in 1915 be continued in Of
fee and its powers broadened so as to
make the tax equalization law effect
i've
2. That tax assessors be paid the
same salaries as sheriffs and that can
didates for assessor be required to
stand an examination as to their quail
ifcations.
3. That penalty Of SO per cent be
imposed on all property not listed
for taxation.
To Show Actual Value.
4. That a law be enacted requir-
ing every deed or conveyance to
show the actual value of real estate
transferred.
5. That the state tax commission
be empowered to prescribe simple
form of tax list to be furnished the
taxpayer.
6. That taxpayers be required to
furnish the assessor a list Of all IN
surance carried by them.
T. That all business firms or cor
porations be required to furnish to
the tax assessors a sworn statement OF
the condition, of their business as of
February l Of. each year, the same as
is required of banks.
8. That the assessment Of all rail
roads and public service corporations
be taken from the railroad commits
sion and placed under the state tax
commission.
8. That the constitution be SO
amended as to permit the classified
ton of property for taxation pur-
poses.
10. That the present income tax
law be repealed and one enacted
providing for the taxation Of in
comes at. progressive rates.
Ask Inheritance Tax.
Il. That an Inheritance tax law
be enacted.
privilege taxes be abolished as early
as practicable.
IS. That the constitution be
amended so as to permit the taxation
of public service corporations on their
gross earnings.
ii. That law be enacted pro-
viding for a general purchasing ~sys-
TEN for the state through a central
board of department.
Is. That law be passed provid-
ing for a system of examination or
inspection of the books and accounts
of al public officials or institutions;
Is. That the powers of boards of
supervisors and municipalities be
further. restricted in the right to i'm
pose taxes and to spend money.
II. That the law eyempting mon
ey loaned at per cent should be re-
pealed as early as practicable.
Is. That a special committee be
appointed for the purpose of revising
the road laws Of the state.
20. That funds for permanent i'm
provements should be provided by
serial bond issues.
21. That the constitution be SO
amended as to provide for more
oo,,;+a L1a apd met Hictri hutton of the
public school fund.
%. That $3,O00,000 of bonds be
issued to care for the states obliga-
ton and floating Indebtedness.
%. That the state tax levy be
fixed at 6 mills.
Reduce Mill Rate.
"a. That all property be assessed
at 100 per cent Of valuation and the
mill rate of taxation be reduced.
Is. That legislation should be to-
ward abandoning the general prop
erty tax plan and substituting there
for a classified property tax.