Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-01-14
MANY CHANGES
FOR TAX LAWS
ARE PROPOSED
(By Staff Correspondent

Bismarck, Jan. 14-Sweeping chan
ees IN the present state system of tax
assessments and exemptions are PRO
posed In two bills introduced in the
North Ike house of representatives
Yesterday afternoon by Representa-
i've victor Anderson, Independent OF
Burleigh county
Five other important measures pro-
viding for alterations, in the workmen's
compensation act were brought in by
representative f. A. Togel, Nonparti-
san, Of Mclean county.
In one of Mr.. ,Anderson's bills a
new system Of classifying property
TOR purpose of taxation is proposed,
which does away with the present pro-
vision that all lands be assessed at 100
per cent OF their actual value. His
other. bill calls for the abolishing of
exemptions provided for under the
laws passed two years ago by the Nom
partisan League, leaving only the con-
stitutional exemption OF $500 on per-
property. and former exemptions
on church. lodge, ana similar prop
erty. " j
Mr.. Anderson's two bills were re-
ferred to the taxation committee s.
House Bill "a. the first of the And
erson bills. proposes the following new
classifications: -
In Class 1-All land. town and city
lots, railroads, banks. stock, express,
telephone, telegraph property, electric
plants, gas plants, waterworks and all
other utilities: flour mills, elevator,
warehouses, and store houses Of ali
kinds; buildings and improvements
upon leased sites; assessed at SO per
cent of their value.
Class 2-All live stock, agricultural
and other tools and machinery; gas
and other engines, threshing machines.
AllfnmnhiIQc n0nfnN tr,,0Lc ~,okS11>s. =
al kinds, boats, stocks. Of merchan-
disc, structures and improvements
upon city, town and city lots, and all
property not otherwise specifically
listed; assessed at SO 1-3 per CEN of
Glass 3-All household goods, house
squipment, wearing apparel struc-
land; stocks other than banks. bonds,
money and credits, provided they are
not otherwise assessed; assessed at 90
per cent of true value. -
Decrease Valuation
This bill if passed, would materially
decrease the assessed valuation of the
state, and would operate to bring
about lower taxes and a more euutt-
able distribution of the tax burden
Mr.. Anderson claims.
In House Bill rs, the exemption bill.
Mr.. Anderson proposes that the ex-
emption on all classes of farm Am
residences costing less than 81, 900;
the special exemptions on personal
PROPERTY ETC., provided by the lexis-
lature two a ago, shall be done
away with. This would result in the
assessment of all property for the pur-
pose of taxation. Except such property
as has been ordinarily exempt because
| " Wa yVcnA fnn r,VWn1vy oh ~Sk. AY<l'.-
fraternal purposes.
In support of this bill, It is urxed
that the exemption act passed two
years age by the league controlled leg
islature has resulted in throwing an
exceptionally large portion of the tax
burden on farm lands. :
The chief provision Of House Bill
No. IS, the first Of Mr.. Vogel's three
bills providing fcr changes in the
workmen's compensation act, is one
which would include railway en-
ployees engaged in, purely intrastate
traffic under the workmen's compen-
sation act. It provides that any en-
ployment except agriculture, domestic
servants and any employment OF a
common carrier a steam railroad for
which q rule of liability is provided by
the United States. shall come. under the
provision of the act.
Vacancies Not Considered
In House Bill 10 provision is made
that vacancy shall not impair the right
Of the remaining members Of the
workmen's compensation board to act
asa full board. Any order made BY a
member is held valid when approved
by = majority Of the board. Those
features were apparently inspired by
the attempt Of Governor L. j.. Frasier
ito remove Il. J.. Wehe from the board
and the litigation concerning the valid
ity OF the boards acts which has
arisen. : WV
Under House Bill 81 employers
would be allowed to pay their prem.
iuras for q 12-month period 'front.'
date they become employers instead
Of all payments being made onf July 1,
The last OF the bills increases the "a
lowance for funeral expenses 81 sd1-
esased workmen from 4lA0 10 $3.50.
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