Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1918-04-24
COUNTY ASSESSORS
MET HERE TODAY
j., 6. Armson, of the State Tax Com
mission. Explains the Assessment
Laws at Court House.

ne dSSeSSoES Oh Marshall count!
met at the Court House today for the
purpose Of receiving instructions rela-
tive to their work. and also to receive
the necessary books and blanks for
listing and assessing the real and per-
sonal property Of the county
The meeting was in the nature of a
school of instruction and much interest
was manifested by the assessors near
~ all Of whom were present
Mr.. J. e. ArmSOn. a member of the
Minnesota tax Commission. was in at
tendance. and addressed the assessors
menL laws in detail and answering
many questions relating to the powers
and duties Of assessors.
He emphazized the Importance of a
complete listing of all taxable property
III each district and its full and fair
valuation in accordance with law. He
said that one of the most fruitful
sources Of complaint in matters Of tax
alton was the inequality of the tax
Where inequality exists it can gener-
ally be traced to the inefficient or care
less work of the local assessor. for
While the assessor is in no way respOn-
Sible for the amount Of the tax he is
largely responsible for the equality of
the tax. If he Intentionally omits pro-
perty from the assessment rolls. or
measures the same class Of property
with different yard sticks. he not only
works injustice to some taxpayers Of
his district. but is himself guilty Of
a serious offense and subject to severe
penalties under the law
It was explained that the omission
Of some property from the tax rolls. or
the differentiation Of some classes of
property. did not reduce taxes: it
simply transferred the tax burden from
the man hose property was omitted
or undervaiued to the man whose pro-
perry was fully listed and fairly
valued. thus resulting in placing a
premium on dishonesty and penalty
on honesty. There is just so much
money to be raised every year by tax
alton and if Jones escapes his fair
share Of the burden Smith has to make
it up. This is not only manifestly I'M
fair but is in violation Of law. for it is
the purpose and intent of the law that
every person should contribute to the
expense of government in proportion to
the taxable value Of his property. This
is an obligation that rests on every
citizen and it is to see that this obliga-
ton is fully discharged that we have
assessors and boards of review and
equalization.
Willie equality in taxation has al
ways been the governing principle OF
our assessment laws the Importance OF
equality has been greatly intensified OF
late by growing tax burdens in recent
years. Inequalities were always I'm
Just but they often passed unnOticet
when tax rates were low. but now Will
increasing tax rates the injustice Of
permitting one man to escape his full
share of the tax burden and requiring
some man to pay more than his share
is much mre apparent and should III
longer be tolerated. Every man is en-
titled to a square deal-nO more an(
no less-and the square deal is almOs
entirely in the hands Of the local as
SCISSOR
Mr.. Armson cited figures to show
that in Marshall county. as in nearl,
every other county Of the state. tn,
growth in the taxable value Of proper
ty was not keeping pace with tn
growth in taxes. In 1914. the first as
sessment under the classified assess
ment law. the total taxable value O
property in this county amounted t.
S10,O95. 439. and the tax levy. exclusiv
Of local assessments. to $316.461. Il
1917 the taxable value of property ha,
= increased to $1O.954. 7O1, and taxes t
SAG, 800. These figures show that dun
i ing the past four years the taXabl
value of property in Marshall count
increased only So per cent while take
tax burden on each thousand dollar
of taxable value in the county amount
ed to $31.03 in 1914 while in 1917. tn
tax Of the present year. the burden ha
grown to $4O75 on each thousand do
lars Of taxable value.
Separating the townships from tn
cities and villages Of the county, it
found that tax rates are growing NOR
rapidly in the cities and villages tina
in the towns. In 1914 the average ia
burden on each thousand dollars c
taxable value in the towns amounte
to $2S.4O and in 1917 to 1854. Will
in cities and villages the average bul
den increased from 5000 in 1914
S67S6 in 1917. Expressed in anothe
way, during the past four years til
average tax burden on each thousan
dollars increased 25.S per cent in th
towns and nearly 34.1 per cent in til
cities and villages Of the county
Looking at the purpose for whic
taxes were levied, it was found that {
each 500 Of taxes to be paid this yea
81 S7.O4 will go to the state for the SUI
port of state government and state il
stitutions, 1923 to the county, $40