The log cabin Democrat., 1921-03-05
ARKANSAS RANKED HIGH IN FINANCES HOGAN 0LIYER'S REPORT Bonded Indebtedness Only .65 Per Cent of Net Valuations-State's
 Income and OutgO.


 during the year 1919, having an as sessed valuation of $58S, ,161 ,065, : bonded indebtedness of $4 ,033 ,064 anC a sinking fund of $10S,067, making its bonded debt .65 per cent of its net assessed resources. A table showing the financial resources of the state as compared with other states of tn; union is a part of the binnial report of Hogan Oliver as state auditor, pub lication of which has been delayed by the adverse supreme court ruling on state printing contracts.
 A preliminary statement by MT Oliver shows that the assessed valua- ton in Arkansas climbed 30 per cent from 1916 to 1919. increases accom- plished by the state tax commission and the change in assessment laws as amended by the legislature of 1919. 1 By years, the total assessed valuation of all property was as follows: 1916, i $450, ,211 ,945; 1917, S523,636,116, in crease over preceding year $73,424,- : I'll or 16.3 per cent; 1918, $553, ,106,- 179, increase over preceding year $29,- 470,063 or 5.6 per cent; 1919, $5S8,- 161 ,065, increase over preceding year S35,054.886 or 6.3 per cent. For 1920, the valuation is S613,161 ,O65 and for 1921, S63S, ,161 ,OOO, making the total estimated assessed valuation for the next biennial period S1,251,- 322, 2,065. This estimated total repre- sents an increase of $49 ,935, ,000, from which the state will receive, it is es- timated, s56,869S6 in additional re- venue, assuming that the general rate of 1886 mills will remain the same.
 Mir. Oliver estimates that special re venue to the state from miscellaneous sources during the next two years will be in excess of expenditures of the past biennial period, and that economy in all departments will enable the state to care for all legitimate expenses and still show a balance at the close of the next biennial period
 Two recommendations are made by Mr. Oliver in regard to the collection of taxes. He renews a recommends tion that all officers charged with the collection of taxes be required to make settlement on or before a specif ic date. While reasonable prompt ness is displayed by the most of the collectors, others have fallen into the habit of not settling until they are absoluately forced to pay. During his tenure as auditor, MT. Oliver was conl- pelled to issue distress warrants against several collectors and a num- Der of others made only partial set dement's. Delays in settlement work an extreme hardship on the office of auditor and the department of edu- eaton, since apportionment of school and pension money must be made, un- der the statutes, on September. The failure of many collectors to settle before that date prevents the pav- ment of pensions to needy ex-Confed- crate soldiers, as well as entailinp a financial loss to the state. During the biennial period, the loss from this cause was $25,00O, Mir. Oliver esti- mates.
 To secure prompt settlement by all collectors, the retiring euditor recon mended that all be forced to pay not later than the first Monday of July each year and that county court be re- qulred to approve such settlement. not later than July l. Penalties for both county judge and collector would be fixed for delinquency, under NIr l Divers proposed law.
 The use of surety company bonds by collectors Is also recommended by the retiring auditor to replace the present system of personal surety bonds. He suggests that collector be compelleG to make two bonds in surety companies approved by the state. The first would be made to the state of Ar. kansas to protect it's share of the tax es, and the second to the county Suretles of one collector were called upon in 1920 to make up deficiencies 5 Along with law to this effect, MT Oliver suggests that a uniform county depository law be enacted and all col lectors required to settle every 3C days, thereby reducing the size of the bond required.
 Economies in the purchase of sup plies by the state could be gained through a central purchasing agen and the erection of a warehouse fo1 their storage until required, and thu expense of operating the state gov ernment could be lowered by the con solidation of offices, Mir. Oliver de clares. Purchases then would be mad at wholesale prices and not in smal lots, as under the present system Offices suggested for consolidation ar the inheritance tax attorney with tn attorney generals office or the ta. commission, the oil inspection with tn auditor or treasurer, and the consoli } dation of all state penal and chari table institutions under one board o control. Further revenue to the stat [. co,tlI ba cyaipad b,y ,I