Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-10

The assessors went ON record as
fayoring a uniform poll tax. This
matter was given thorough discus
sion pro and con, although the
greater number OF the speakers
voiced their sentiments IN favor OF
the proposition. Dr.. Plumm4r OF
Lisbon representing the minority.
gave his reasons why he was op-
posed.
It was voted that the executive
committee Of the association serve
as the legislative committee in
bringing the matters of the associa-
ton before the convening Legisfa-
ture. This method Of procedure was
finally adopted, after a vote had
F. been passed providing for leefsla-
tive committee composed OF one
delegate from each county and that
vote had been reconsfdered.
A resolution was introduced by
George H. Bean OF Minot In favor
of a patrol system for all country
roads, the expense to be borne
Jointly by the town and State. 1t
was voted that this matter be left In
the hands of the executive commit
tee for consideration.
The first speaker of the morning
was Col. E. c. Milliken, chairman OF
the Board of Assessors at Portland,
whose subject was "Desirabiiity OF a
Uniform Method of Valuation" He
took up to a great extent the Ques.
ton of valuing furniture, citing as an
example the city of Lewiston, where.
he sally, they have $4,000 worth Of
furniture in the whole city, accord
ing to the reports given the State
assessors: while the little town Of
Poland reported $4,000 worth. He
said he knew three hotels in Lewis
ton where the furniture was worth
more than that.
He metsa woman in Portland, no
said, and she told him she lived in
Lewiston eleven years; and the as
SCISSORS there never put IN valra-
ton of her furniture. He said he
understood that the city treasurer Of
Lewiston was sick Of his job-sort
Of getting tired of 1t because there
wasn't enough money in sight. LET
the city officials Of Lewiston 60 out
and uncover some Of their property,
and there will be money enough.
There is plenty Of property escap-
ing taxation in lewiston" he de-
clared. ~
"DesirabiIity Of a Uniform Method
Of Valuation"
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen:
am asked to say something to you
today on the desirability Of a uni
form method OF valuation. am glad
to do this because there seems to be
such a wide variation In method or
lack of method in making valuations.
and because 1 believe that by dis
cussion of these matters we can ar
rive at some more equitable assess
ment and that these conventions can
be made more beneficial by having
all the varying and complex problems
of taxation discussed by practical
men rather than by the discussion Of
academic questions or theories. It il
no doubt interesting to know how and
why and what was taxed a hundred
years ago or to learn the process OF
evolution by which the present tax
laws have come into existence, but
it is a condition and not a theory
- with which We have to deal, q.
The basic principle of taxation al
I understand it is that each fndivid-
ual and all property shall bear its
just and equitable share of the pub
lie burden which we call taxes. The
Legislature has from time to time
made laws to carry into effect this
principle some of which seem at least
to be misunderstood or entirely ig-
nored. Let me call your attention tc
a few Of them.
Personal Property Items
Section 5. CHAPTER 10 r. s. states
in detail what constitutes personal
estate for purposes OF taxation.
suppose the taxation Of furniture az
fects more people than any other one
thing excepting the poll tax. un-
derstand this word Furniture includes
not only what we have in our homes
but the furniture and fittings Of
doctors, lawyers, dentists, Insurance.
Offices, banks. and business Offices o.
all kinds.a The only exception is ir
Par. 4. Sec. of Chapter 10 r.. S.
which says YThe household furniture
of each. perSon ) not exceeding two
NunQTeO OOilaTS 10 any OIle ldhltAy. II
is interesting to see how this law i.
obeyed. ~
The. last published report Of thu
State Assessors, 1919 gives the tota
amount of furniture taxed in the
State as $2,614.601, only ninety eight
towns and cities and one plantation
reported any at ALL divided as fol.
lows: SO
Androscossin county-Four town,
outsof total Of fourteen report 1921.
$50. OF this Auburn reports $194,510
Lewiston, $14,450, Poland, $4,000.
Aroostook County-Fifty towns ant
twenty-one plantations. Four towns
and one plantation report $10.3z5.
Cumberland County - Twenty 81,
towns. Twelve towns report $1.177..
lis. Of which Portland had $1.10s.575
Cape Elizabeth, $4,000. South Port
land $4,000.
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