The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1921-01-15
Boats Should Kee,
Close To The Shor."
From the Nevada Stockgrower

From the Nevada St0ckgrOwer |
Much has been said and written lately conc.~
ing taxation in Nevada and expenditure of nuhr'
funds for ordinary Government expenses and bio in
provement projects.
The general sentiment. at least among the ia, |
payers, appears to be that Nevada small boat
has been drifting too far from shore.
1t is wisdom for any agency to learn the earnin.
end of the game before learning the spending end
Where is Nevada at?
What has Nevada to which she can look for rv.
enue for business generally and to support her gov.
eminent?
Mining and agriculture, including stockraisino
are her only producing industries. With railroad.
and other public utilities, they make her business and
foot the bills. We have other classes of properly
paying almost negligible percentages of our taxes
but all must live on the three above.
What can we expect from these three classes of
property in the future?
1t is generally conceded that the railroads. with
other utilities, can stand no more taxation.
How about mining? 1918 saw a SO per cent
drop in production, and 1919 another SO per cent
drop. Mining now pays but Z per cent of the Ne
vada taxes. Railroads with public utilities pay about
AZ per cent, and land and livestock about 33 PEI
cent. Who wants to gamble on any big increase
in mining production the next year or so? To
double INNINGS z per cent would not mean much in
crease in revenue.
How about the third and last-agriculture and
livestock?
Valuation of land and livestock has been sharp
ly increased the last few years. The period of reac-
ton has now come. In 1919 cattle were assessed at
$38 and sheep at SO. The preiod of high prices has
gone. For 1921, cattle valuations have been set at
$32 and sheep at Sc. From present indications, this
will not be low enough, in which event ufrther re.
duction will be sought.
The reduction for 1921 will take about 81, 900.
900 off the total roll of Nevada; and further reduc.
ton will take more. No hope for increased taxable
wealth from livestock.
AS to lands-value of land depends upon value
of the products. Hay or other %roughage is our land
product. Low priced cattle can not be fed high
priced hay. We have a shining example of this now
in N~evada-farmers holding hay raised under stress
of high prices, for which there is no demand, even at
prices which mean no profit and loss of his years
work to the farmer.
Livestock, on which the value of land in Nevada
must be based, generally speaking, have come down.
Why expect that land must not follow? 1t must il
we don't want it to go back to the Indians.
Here we have tat least no increase from rail-
roads and public utilities; nothing encouraging from
mining, and not much help if there is; livestock gone
down, land must follow.
With the industries upon which he must depend
for his business under strain, can the banker, mer.
chant or town property owner expect to stand any
additional burden of taxation? Can the automobile
owner?
The 1919 tax roll for Nevada was around S198,
000, 900. 1t was claimed that 1920, 000, 900 was need.
ed for 1920. We raised $213, 600, 900. Livestock
and land values must come down for 1921 % per
cent over 1920. If railroads, public utilities, mines
and all other classes of property stand pat, this
means a decrease of SIT, 600, 900 in our 1920 roll,
bringing the total roll down to $196 900, 900. Does
InlS look reaSSurlnS 10 CnOSe VINO Wish our govern
ment expense to remain where it is and who wish to
keep up our big Improvement pregnant? Where can
we look for the increased wealth to offset the de-
crease in land and livestock and besides for the In.
crease in wealth to get our 1920 roll from 213 mil
lion to 220 million?
What would an individual do who faced a stu.
alton such as this? What would the ordinary bust
ness concern do? Either or both would get busy
and put their house in order. Fancy trimming would
be done away with, improvements, and particularly
those promising no immediate return in profits or in
come, left for the future. Old buildings, old equip
ment, old clothes and old shoes would have to do and
anyone who wants to can bet a few dollars that 70
far as the rancher and stockman are concerned they
will have to do,
This is the policy individuals, business concerns
and all lines of endeavor are going to be forced to
follow,
All anyone has asked In regard to State, County
and Municipal affairs is that the same policy be put
into effect in their cases.
The boats of private concerns, not already in the
harbor, excepting those which have already found
cred, are being brought in to safety. The State and
County boat should also come in until the storm is
over.
GERMANY PLEDGES