Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-08-04

IS of the farmers appeared before the
courthouse.
Attorney William Bosson, representing
the farmers, served notice upon County
Auditor Fesler, County Treasurer Ralph
Lemcke and Assessor Jefferson that the
farmers would go into the courts if the
state board of review attempted to main
tain the Illegal horizontal increases on
the tax duplicates for 1919 under guise
Of the TuthiII- Kiper act.
After n conference Of more than two
hours, it was evident that the board of
review would follow out to the letter the
instructions Of the state board Of tax
commissioners that the horizontal in
creases as made by the state board on
Aug. %, 1919, should stand
Notice was given by the farmers that
such action was only inviting litigation
and that the issue would be fought to
the finish.
CALL CONFERENCE
TO GET TOGETHER"
The conference was called by County
Auditor Fesler for the purpose of get
ting together with the farmers on a
, compromise plan, but the federationists
refused to agree to anything and in
sisted that they would accept only what
the decision of the state supreme court
and Of Judge Linn Hay provided
Ihey demanded that the board OF re-
view eliminate the horizontal increases
and refer to the state tax board the as
sessed valuation made by the township
assessors as the true cash value.
The sentiment Of the farmers is that
the horizontal increases be taken of and
that the rate be increased If necessary
stated W J. Fink, president Of the
I Mnrfnuh To- - -
That does not apply to the average
business man because he knows he viii
have to pay as much under any plan
suggested Mr.. Lemcke as he puffed ar
a long black cigar.
Auditor Fesler stated the township as
SCISSORS were nearly unanimously
agreed TO leave the tax duplicates. in
Guiding the horizontal increases, without
any change.
If you should set aside the horizontal
increases, the arbitrary state tax board
would see some way to reverse you"
stated Mr. Bosson in illustrating The real
purpose Of the Tuthiu- -Riper act In
which the state tax board was made
supreme
The courts are the place to decide
this question and 1 thank God that we
citizens can still go there and get ~ius-
Z
Seems TO BE NO
MIDDLE GROUND"
Mr.. Lemeke hastened TO suggest there
seems to be no middle ground between
the board of review and the members of
this meeting and to ask the farmers
hew the tax duplicates could be prepared
and changed by Nov. If the horizontal
increases were taken of
He pointed out that "Only empty treas
uries'' would result If the lists were not
completed By Nov. l.
Why not go back and start right and
change the duplicates to reflect The true
cash value?" asked Mr.. Springer OF War
ren township.
Then Mr.. Lemcke. republican candi-
date for reelection as treasurer, became
very confidential and stated: Il thinA
personally that it would be the best
thing TO eliminate the horizontal in
creases. l mean. that is my personal
opinion, but, gentlemen, we have the law
to follow"
I'VE feel that the board of review
wants to do the right thing. but We are
going to retain the rights given US by
the state supreme court" answered Mr.
Fink
Mr.. Lemcke stated that, if the farmers
plan OF Mr.. Bosson were adopted by the
UoAAu VI LENAGn. uOL4iUk WOulQ remain
but for the board to take out the hori-
Eontal increases, which would leave the
treasury empty.
1T is a question OF practicability," he
suggested.
BoSSON SAYS 1T Is
QUESTION OF PRINCIPAL.
Mr.. Bosson maintained it was a aues-
tion "of principal and law" and that il
was the duty of all officers to live DIP to
their oaths.
Then an attack was launched on Sec
tion of the TuthilI- Kiper law, which
provides for the validating of the hor-
izontal Increases. as some interpret it.
These horizontal increases were not
made pursuant to any previous existing
law and the new law (the TuthiT- -Kiper
act) does not provide for horizontal in
ereases, but the state tax board wants
you to interpret it that way" Mr.. Bos-
son contended.
In other words" said Mr.. Lemcke.
you want the board of review to do
what the state supreme court said
should be done"
Yes" was the answer.
At the beginning of the meeting, Mr.
Fink of the farmers. asked Mr.. Fesler II
he had received any orders from the state
board as to how the board of review
should act toward the horizontal in
ereases.
SAYS HE HAS NOT
RECEIVED ORDERS.
Auditor Fesler stated he had not.
Mr.. Bosson asked: Didn't you read
in the papers OF last night that the state
tax board had sent instructions to the
auditors instructing the board of review
to certify back these very horizontal In
creases?"
Mr.. Fesler answered negatively but
Immediately recalled he had received
such.
He then read the order, which was
really a command for the board OF re-
view to meet in a sort of a rump session
and certify back under the guise of a
CONTINUED on Page Two.)