Americus times-recorder., 1920-06-07
B. .OFR.T, OPPOSE
$40 TAX; APPEAL
FOR FAIR VALUES
Endorse Raise for Teach
ers, But Oppose Pro-
posed Method

Callon tax proposed to be levied
here to provide money for operating
the city's schools, which has already
been endorsed by the Rotary Club,
and the Americus Bar Association
and with notifications by the Kiwan-
Is Club, was condemned yesterday
by Americus Lodge Brotherhood of
Railroad Trainmen. Information is
to the effect that other local labor
organizations are to take action on
the proposed tax without delay. All
OF these are expected to oppose the
tax, and hard fight on it now seems
probable.
The Trainmen, like other organiza-
tlons which have considered the situ-
alton, recognize that the teachers
must be paid salaries that will "con-
form with the present high cost of
living, and that they must receive
salaries commensurate with the duty
performed" but assert that the meth
cd proposed for raising this money
is improper and condemn as unfair.
unjust and unequal the levy of any
head tax for any purpose whatso-
ever" The Trainmen hold the
opinion that money needed for the
schools can and should be raised
through the equalization of tax valu-
ations upward" and that present
assessed valuations, as shown by the
digest, are both inadequate and un-
fair"
Appeal to Patriotism.
The resolutions adopted also con-
tain an appeal to the large taxpayers
of the community patriotically to in
crease their assessed valuations "un-
til their property is returned for tax
alton at a figure approximately 60
per cent of its true market value"
the opinion being expressed that
now many assessments are far be-
low this percentage" One of the
most interesting paragraphs in the
resolutions is that in which the Train
men request the board of tax equaliz-
ers to make public in detail the as
sessments of ten of the largest tax
payers here, these to be compared
with the assessment of ten salaried
workers, who own their homes, and
the assessment of ten other workers,
who do not own their homes, but who
return only their household and
kitchen furniture for taxation.
The resolutions are to be furnish
ed various civic organizations here,
to other labor organizations, to Sum-
ter's representatives, and the Times
Recorder is requested to give them
full publicity. The text of the res
olutions follows:
Tho Resolutions.
Whereas, 1t has come to the knoWl-
edge of this organization that in or
der to raise money needed to continue
in operations the schools of Ameri-
Gus it is proposed to raise this mon
ey through the levy and collection
of communication tax of $40 annaul-
ly from each male resident of Ameri-
Gus, therefore be it
Resolved, That Americas Lodge
No. 824, Brotherhood of Railroad
Trainmen, hereb enter it's protest
against the method proposed for rais-
ing this money, and condemn as un-
fair, unjust and unequal the levy of
any head tax for any purpose what
soever. Be it further
Resolved, That it is the sense of
this organization that salaries of
teachers in the public schools of
Americus should be placed at such
amounts as will conform with the
present high cost of living, and that
they receive salaries commensurate
with the duty performed. Be it fur
ther
Resolved, That this organization
believes sufficient money can be
raised to provide funds for paying
the teachers such salaries through
the equalization of property values
upward, so that property located here
shall bear its just share of the bur
den of the public and we believe
present assessed valuations, as shown
by the tax digest, are both inadequate
and unfair.
Resolved, further, That this or
ganization request board of tax
equalizers to make public in detail
the assessments returned by ten of
the largest tax payers in Americas,
comparing these with ten assessments
made by ten salaried workers, who
own their homes, and the assessments
of ten salaried workers who do not
own their homes, but who return only
household and kitchen furniture for
taxation, all of such assessments to
be made public in full detail.
Want Laborer on Board.
Resolved further, That we appeal
to the large taxpayers of the com
munity to show their patriotism by
voluntarily increasing their assess.
ments until their property shall be
returned for taxation at a figure ap-
proximately go per cent of its true
market value, we being of the opinion
now that many assessments are far
below this percentage.
Resolved further, That we re
quest city council in naming mem
bers of the board of tax equalizers
now and hereafter, to place thereon