Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1922-07-17
income TAX TO
CUT BURDEN ON
REAL PROPERTY

The income tax amendment mi
tiated by the State Taxpayers
league of Oregon Is designed for
the sole purpose Of relieving the
present onerous tax on real estate,
according to the affirmative argu-
ment on the initiated measure fill
ed with Secretary of State Kozer
by the legislative committee Of
the State Taxpayers league for
publication in the official voters
pamphlet.
Saturday was the last day on
which affirmative arguments on
the nine referred and initiated
measures on the November ballot
may be filed. Opponents OF the
several measures have until July
rs on which to file negative argu-
ments. A charge of 500 page is
made for the publication Of the
arguments, this amount just de-
fraying the cost of printing ana
mailing the more than 100000
pamphlets,
The argument submitted in be-
half OF the income tax amend
ment initiated by the taxpayers
league declares that this measure
is designed to relieve the present
tax on real estate and equalize the
burden of taxation without in
creasing taxes a single cent.
"Our general property taxes
have risen to such a point that
many owners Of property are OBJ
liged to dispose OF their holdings"
the argument declares. This
measure will relieve the property
owner and to just the extent that
1t furnishes such relief the taxes
will be levied against incomes and
taken off real estate.
"A mans income is an exact
measure OF his ability to pay.
Many citizens who now have sub
stantial incomes do not pay taxes.
The property owner pays all.
"With this measure in effect as
supplemental to and not suppressed
ing the general property tax every
citizen will be taxed In accord
ance with his financial worth.
1T is legitimate, fair means of
raising necessary taxes without
uniustly penalizing any class OF
citizens or having a tendency to
drive from Oregon capital so much
needed for the states develop
ment.
ut does not In any way increase
public expenditures in any state
department nor increase the tax
levy as now existing. 1t is not de-
signed for the purpose Of raising
more taxes nor can IL, but solely
to relieve the general property
tax, IL this measure Is passed 1t
viii bring onto the tax rolls mil
lions in incomes that now escape
taxation and thus materially low
er the taxes Of every present tax
payer In Oregon"
An affirmative argument has
also been filed In behalf OF the
referred measure granting to Linn
county the right TO levy an annual
tax OF two mills TO absorb war
rants outstanding December 81,
1921.
In this argument which is sign
ed by Samuel M. Garland and
Frank j. Miller. it is explained
that "whsn the era OF good roads
began Linn county had depleted
treasury and found 1t necessary
to issue warrants to take adyan-
tage OF the states offer to pave
sections OF Its highways and repair
much used roads. There was
general sentiment that the county
should keep abreast of the times
and provide passable roads for it's
citizens and visitors. When the
time came to levy tax to pay for
these improvements IL was found
that a sufficient levy could not
legally be made because OF the
constitutional limitation. This
left warrants outstanding which
the county was morally bound to
pay but with no legal way to pay
them. II is now asked OF the vot-
ers Of the state that they grant
the county authority to make this
additional tax mill levy so that
the honor OF the county can be
maintained"