The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1920-05-06

iIoH CdxdClOn IN the state OF North
Dakota was first proposed, Senator
Mees of Morton county, himself
member of the Nonpartisan league
blew up" so to speak. He declared
the taxes which would have to be
levied on agricultural lands and pub
Inc utilities, under the Townley plan,
would be so high as to eventually con-
fiscate the lands and the public utili-
ties and force their ownership in the
state, which is the ultimate object of
the socialistic leaders of the nonpar-
tisan league.
So great was the opposition to the
bill, as first proposed, that it was
modified, and the exemptions above
mentioned constitute the important
provisions of the measure as approx
ed and which became law in North
/ Dakota.
The one thing which Townley aimed
at when submitting the bill was to ex-
empt all farm improvements from
taxation. To attain this he sandwich
ed the farm Improvement exemption
in between a number of exemptions
which he thought would appeal to the
largest number of voters.
For instance, he exempted the
property of all cemeteries, land and
improvements, whether privately own
ed or held by associations. Most
cemeteries are operated for profit or
endowed by the lot owners and there
is no reason why they should not pay
their share of taxes.
Then all lodge property in the state
was exempted. People who do not
belong to lodges, have to pay higher
taxes on something else to meet the
deficiency created by this exemption.
To get the town and city man own
ing modest home to vote with him
on exempting the immense homes,
valuable barns, costly silos, the fences
and buildings on farms, the new law in
North Dakota permits the exemption
of all the town and city residences APP
praised at 81 200 or less.
.Of course many city homes cost
ing $4,000 will be listed for taxation
at $1,000 and will thus be exempt
from all taxation, but while all this
is going. on, ALL structures and inn
provements on agricultural lands will
pay no taxes whatever.
Ride across North Dakota on the
Great Northern and Northern Pacific
railroads. Note the big white farm
houses, the costly red barns, the
cement silos, garages, the cattle and
hog breeding plants. From fifteen to
twenty thousand dollars would be a
small estimate of the actual value of
the structures and improvements"
on thousands of these North Dakota
farms.
At one sweep the Townley law ex-
empts all these buildings from taxa
ton.
And to "salve the city man" the law
exempts a workman's tools to the
value of $500, in return for which the
improvements, horses, tractors, auto
mobiles and other equipment on farm
to the value of $1,000 are made ex-
empt from taxation.
The farmer thus enjoys an exemp-
ton of all buildings and improvements
personal clothing for each member OF
the family to the amount of $500; all
improvements and equipment to the
value of ST. 900; all household goods
to the value of $500. With two sons
he could enjoy an exemption on sever
al thousand dollars worth of property.
But in return the overalls, the
shovels the saws and hammers OF the
workers in the city are also exempt
from taxation.
By making return Of 81 900 or less
on personal property fore assessment
purposes, farmer thus escapes pay
ing taxes on anything but his land.
This fact causes the thoughtful
farmer to wonder if the tax on his
land will not some day become so
high that they will practically con-
fiscate his farm. It is certain the
burden of taxation in North Dakota
will become very heavy by the time
the state gets into all the enterprises
promised and the legislature appro-
pirates thousands and tens of thous-
ands to erect $4,000 homes for work
inemen and $4,000 residences on the
farms. as provided for in the Home
Building Association law passed by the
North Dakota Legislature. i
Have had several years. exper-