The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-08-27
The MeddLer
IfAs coat fits yoR, pr ii on.


State grand list figures based on
property valuations for the current ifs
cal year show that Brattleboro, de-
spite the fact that four cities and
towns outrank it in population, still
has the third largest grand list in Yer
mont, Burlington and Rutland being
the only two places ahead of it. While
this showing is the best sort of evil
dence that Brattleboro as an industrial
and eomemrcial center ranks higher
than its population figures would indi-
cate. it is also indicative of a decided
lack of uniformity in the method of
property valuation throughout Yer
mont. For example, it is hardly cred
ible that Bennington with population
of approximately 10000 would have a
property valuation but three quarters
that of this town if the same methods
of assessing property were in vogue in
both places, even though it is generally
conceded that Brattleboro s business
and residential property is of much
higher grade than that of its west-side
neighbor. It is also difficult to under
stand why this towns grand list is so
much larger than those of Barre, Mont
pelier and st. Johnsbury.
Brattleboro people probably wonld not
be very much concerned over the mat
ter of relative property valuations
were it not for the heavy state taxes
now in effect, but as matters stand
there is a general feeling locally that
this town already is paying more than
its Just share of state assessments and
so long as this feeling exists there Is
no incentive to increase local property
valuations even though it is admitted
they are not uniform. The Meddler IS
inclined to the belief that in many
towns the listers deliberately hold val
nations down with view to escaping
so far as possible the heavy burden of
state taxation, and on that account he
believes there should be some central
state body with authority to enforce
uniform valuation in the various
towns.
Brattleboro' importance in Wind
ham county is indicated by the fact
that its grand list is more than a third
of the county total. In this comparison
as in that with towns in other eoun-
ties the valuation ratio exceeds that
of population, although in the county,
property valuations are more nearly
on uniform basis. Wilmington people
have right to feel proud of the show
ing of that town both in population
and valuation figures, the percentage
of growth in the Deerfield valley me-
tropolis during the last ten years being
something over 90 per cent. Bellows
Falls, on the other hand, is understood
to be disappointed with its 1920 cen
sus and considering plans for revis-
ion. Judging Ry revised figures thus
far announced by the census bureau,
however, the change would not be
enough to Justify the effort.
The question of liability is said to be
the reason why the highway just this
side of the suspension bridge, partly
washed out by last springs freshet,
has been allowed to remain in its pres
ent dangerous condition all summer.
But should serious accident occur
there it would seem as if a far more
serious question would confront the
town, especially in view of the fact.
that towns are liable for damages in
case of accidents occurring on bridges
and approaches thereto. 1t is actually
little short of remarkable that there