Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1921-05-29
To PROTEST THE
ASSESS ME- n TS
ON FARM LANDS
AT Lively Meeting Yester-
day Farmers Protective
Assn. Names Committee
To Go Before Tax Com
mission.

A funodiscussion of house bill SO,
calling for a special election next
November. the effect of the proposed
constitutional amendment to be sub
united to the voters at that time
upon the development of the state
through reclamation, the question of
freight rates. and the general subject
Of high taxation, were the matters
covered at a lively meeting of the
Farmers Protective organization
The meeting was held at the Water
Users building yesterday afternoon
with more than 100 in attendance.
Al times the session took the form
OF an old fashioned debate for sand
against the measure passed by the
last legislature submitting to the vot-
ers a change in the constitution
which will enable the state to lend
its credit to reclamation districts by
an exchange of state bonds for the
irrigation district bonds. But in
general way the discussion centered
on taxation and on the means which
might be used to combat it on the
mart of the farmers. One of the most
vital thoughts brought out in the
meeting was that nothing can be ac-
complished through disorganization-
much by organization.
As one of the results a committee
OF nine representative farmers was
named to go before the state tax
commission and protest the assess
ments which have been levied against
the farm lands of the Salt River val
. ley. Such assessments, it was ar
gued. should be based on actual pres
ent day values. instead of the valu
atoms which have prevailed in the
last two years. 1t was too late to
IL
assessors office. it was brought out,
as the tax rolls had already been
made up and turned in, making the
matter of readjustments one which
must be taken up with the super
Nisors. sitting as board of equaliza-
zion or with the state. tax commission.
To Make Survey
One of the first duties of the COM
mittee will be to make a thorough
survey of land valuations, with the
idea of obtaining concrete examples
of generalization. together with data
of a general nature. and this will be
presented to the tax commission at
the annual conference to be held at
NoEales in July.
You have started in the right way
at the right place." declared Capt. j.
l. Is. Alexander in discussing the
you as citizen of 40 years residence
in the valley and as a farmer and
taxpayer. Something must be done
for the protection of the farmer, and
IN this I am minded that God helps
them who help themselves. 1t is
time that We were getting together
and doiEg something to cut down
the extravaganza In state and county
government which is piling UP the
taxes higher and higher
1t appears that valuations have
been placed on farm lands today the
same as two years ago-that land
which was assessed at $500 and $500
an acre in the past is still assessed
at this inflated value, notwithstand-
ing that the actual cash value may
be $3.50 or $500 per acre. BY or
ganszatlon We must secure assess
nents which are just and fair-we
must also look TO see that there is no
waste in governmental affairs, and
that officers. and employees receive
salaries and wages which are COM
mensurate with the duties performed
and no more"
First Progressive Laws
As showing the force of organiza-
ton. the speaker told how a little
group of farmers and reclamationists
had gotten together and prepared
the reclamation measures which We're
passed by the legislature. For years
he said. the labor unions had been
active in securing legislation which
would be beneficial to their cause
the railroad lobbyists and those rep
resenting the merchants, the miners
and other interests had pressed their
issues before the state legislatures
but this was the first time that any-
one had ever attempted to do any
thing in the way of progressive legis-
lation for the farmer
These measures. the speaker said
would do merely this: 1t would per-
init any organized irrigation district
to apply to the state, and if it's pro-
lect was approved, secure the back
ing of the state in the disposal OF
its bonds Before approval is given
however. the project must secure the
independent approval of the state en-
Eaneer. the water commissioner. the
land commissioner and the attorney
general and finally the governor
These investiga tons. he said. would
establish whether or not the land was
ullahle. IL the water was sufficient
I the plans and specifications for the
construction were perfect and if title
to the land was clear If found feas.
1ole the state would then issue its