The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-04-02
WORD ABOUT
YOUR TAXES

Albert E. Nelson, renominated by
the Rock Island Republicans for
the office Of assessor, is serving his
first term in that position. The
work of the Office during this term
has been important and arduous.
According to law, it was incumbent
upon him to make the quadrenn'al
new assessment of all real and per-
sonal property in the city. That
MIR. Nelson was painstaking in his
efforts to make just assessment
OF all values in the city, for pur-
poses OF taxation, is the judgment
OF every man who has scrutinized
the assessment lists.
The fact that the taxes now be-
ing paid are about q per. cent
higher than last year. on property
upon which Mr.. Nelson last spring
placed the same valuation for pur-
poses of taxation as had existed on
it before, is due to the new law
which went into effect on July ].
1919. changing the basis Of valua-
ton for purposes Of taxation from
one-third to one-half of the real
value.
e q In Rock Island the increase in
taxes. on account of the raising of
the valuation for purposes of taxa
ton from one-third to one-hak OF
the. real value, is made more notice.
able by the extra 10-m.ll tax for
school purposes authorized by the
people at the special election he'd
last spring. This additional school
tax amounts to 81 per 500 of as
sessed valuation. Regardless Of
the fact that the assessor is in no
wise responsible for these in
creased levies, as people who are
uniformed are inclined to believe
and even assert, We assume that no
good citizen who has the future of
the community at heart, whether or
not he has children to educate.
will care to combat the absolute
necessity, on account of conditions,
OF the additional revenues for the
schools. which, as indicated. after
al represent the bulk of the in
creased taxes which we are called
upon to pay.
Mr.. Nelson 10 deserving of re-
election not only on account Of his
conscientious and good work dur
Ing his first term as assessor. but
because Of his consistently good
record as a citizen. A native Of
Carroll county in this state, where
he was born on Aug. Z, 1860, he
came to Rock Island with his par
cuts in March. 1874, and he has
ever since resided in the east end
Of the city. He learned the carpen-
ter's trade, and was a charter men,
Der Of the first carpenters union
organized in Moline, where he was
following his trade. and was an ac-
tive member Of the organization
until 1890, when he embarked in
business on his own as building
contractor. when. under the laws
OF the union, his active membership
terminated. He was in business
over twenty years. and it is worthy
Of note that during all that time
his work was done under union
rules and scales. and that there
never was strike or walkout by
his men. and that he never even
had a disagreement with his EN-
ployes. Mr.. Nelson under the al
dermanic system represented the
Seventh ward in the city council
for six years. He was recognized
= ma ~ the most INTELLIGENT and
active members Of the body. and
one whose acts were .motivated
solely by the conscientious desire
to serve the best interests OF the
entire community, and without fear
or favor Of any individual or inter
est. This has been the keynote OF
his work as assessor, and that be-
ine true, he should he reelected By
i handsome majority.