The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-08-21
GOOD INTENTION, BUT NO
RESULTS

Inc OTeSOn SnOTL Line is Cdll1ni
the attention of the state board O
equalization to the fact that it's prop
erty is given too high a tax valuation
The bankers make the same claim
So do the public utilities. No one
who figures on the basis of percent
age of true value and limits himself
to the testimony of cold figures car
come to any other conclusion.
But assessors have hearts and poll
tfcal ambitions. They listen to more
than figures. When an assessor comes
to placing a value on farm property
he is bound to make it lower i'll pro-
portion to other property. One may
say he should not, but he does-and
he will.
The assessor sees that the farmer
has about all the burden he car
stand. He cannot avoid comparing
the farmers house with the dainty
bungalow of the city dweller and his
furniture with the oak in the bust
ness mans office. And he says, "If
more money must be extracted from
the farmer, let someone else do it."
Someone else? Who?
The railroads.&c. power companies
the banks-the merchants. Tax
them more and let them in turn collect
the tax indirectly from the farmer
with a good big percentage added os
collecting charge. This does not hurt
the sensitive feelings nor jeopardize
the POLITICAL future of the assessor.
Besides, a corporation doesn't mind
being kicked.
The people find it difficult to I'M
derstand that it matters not who
pays the money to the tax collector,
all will pay their share in the end.
If the farmer pays SIS less than his
share of the tax bill to the collector
II pays SIS more than his share for
light, power and merchandise, and in7
terest on loans, his assessor has not
helped him much-he has merely been
able to get his vote.
Sooner or later it will dawn on the
people that the only way to save taxes
is to spend less-to curb the taxeaters
in their extravagant expenditures
Idaho Statesman.
R "a ~
MAINLY APPETITE AND STOMACH
The Lewiston Tribune concludes a
column editorial discussion of the
political situation in Idaho as it ap-
pears on the eve of the state con-
ventions, with the following:
Neither party has n special
principles or policies except to get
the offices. There is neither heart
nor brain to either of them, only ap-
petite and stomach. AS a matter of
fact, the times probably call for that
sort of politics, that is, the person
which are to be entrusted with
the responsibilities of office. rather
than heady and stormy campaigns
over descriptive questions that divide
the people into hostile and embittered
without leading them to any
useful goal in the end"
~ ~ "a IN 8
While all of the money contributed {
the $4,000 fund necessary to !
put across the new 100000 dormitory ,
It the University of Idaho, is fully /
by the committee, there Is I
contribution, 10 which attention
10 called by George Creighton, of !
he committee. which is especially ap- I
2recfated. That is the contribution b
T. s$25 by the MOSCOW Business and :
Women's club, which >
vas given without solicitation, and Il
Nth = desire on the part of the mem
'ers to do their share toward the II
%lpbuiIding Of Moscow. In Mr.. I,
opinion, the members are a
. loyal as they are pretty. IL
~ Fl
Young Teddy Roosevelt apparently y
as many Of the qualities of his Illus II
rious father. He likes public life IL
nd he seems to know how to get 81
1fo the lime light. He has made a =
God start, and it is not unlikely that m
e will get somewhere politically. is
or not he has tie ability Of sc
Is father, and will keep as close to 10
lie hearts of the people as his father III
Id, remains to be seen. He will re
to go some to win the place in of
Ie hearts of the masses of the Amer -
people that the senior Teddy is
Id. Iff
- - -
an
Notwithstanding the strikes, bust az
ss conditions are steadily improv- su