Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1922-07-04
Move Against Boost In Taxes Is
Rapidly Spreading Over State
Concerted Non-Partisan Action
L. Taken Following Susges-
ton Of Democratic State
Chairman at Hunting
ton Meeting
COUNTIES ORGANIZING

49,
COUNTIES ORGANIZING
An appeal for nonpartisan coopera-
ton In disseminating facts about
state governmental affairs and the
elimination Of waste and extrava-
gance, made at the meeting of the
Democratic state executive commit
tee In Huntington February 10 by the
Democratic state chairman, r. F. Dun
lap. Of Hinton. is meeting with gen.
eral response over the state, as re-
Elected In both daily and weekly news
papers.
Republicans are joining with Demo
Gratis In a universal movement to de-
feat the efforts OF the state tax COM
missioner to boost assessment values
ut time when both farmers and in
dustries are struggling for existence
us a result of the depression brought
about through the Republican state
government to meet the reported de-
fictt Of 100000 as a result of the
greatly increased appropriations by
the last legislature in order to more
than double, in some instances, the
salaries Of Republican state execu-
tive and appointive officers.
1.-THE tax commissioners statement"
says Mr.. Dunlap, 'that when all the
property of the state is assessed on
uniform and equal basis, we can have
a reduction of levies that will mean
considerable less amount of taxes, Is
as false as 1t IL foolish. Reduction
Of taxes comes through economy In
governmental expenditures rather than
the re-valuation of property for assess
ment."
While the head Of the state tax bu-
reau Is visiting all corners of the state
endeavoring to explain the great
benefits" that are being reaped through
increased valuation Of property and
further rifiing Of the pockets Of the
already overburdened taxpayer,
strong opposition to the G. o. P.
plan has set In. In no less than a
dozen counties, nonpartisan move
ments have sprung up in opposition
to the Republican tax program. The
movement had its inception simulta.
neously in half dozen counties imme-
diately following the meeting of the
Democratic committee at Huntington.
P. ]. Crogan, prominent lawyer of
Kingwood, organized a taxpayers as
ISOLATION in Preston county which i'm
mediately spread to adjoining counties
and is rapidly circling the state. In
Raleigh county, s. NJ. Miller issued a
call for a public meeting and accord
ing to Beckley newspapers, 1,5OO citi-
Dens and taxpayers responded. An
organization was formed and reSolu-
tons were adopted which declared in
part that "the need today is not as
much for money to meet extrava-
gance and unnecessarily high salaries
and useless number of employees in
all branches of the government, as the
need for economy"
Marion and Putnam counties also
organized associations to combat the
plan Of the tax commissioner. The
general feeling among taxpayers is
expressed in the following resolutions
which were adopted by the Greenbrier
County Farm Bureau:
Whereas, we, the members of the
Greenbrier county farm bureau, In
regular meeting assembled, have had
brought to our attention, that the
state authorities are taking steps
tending to a considerable increase in
the assessment of farm property for
taxation purposes in the state of West
Virginia; and,
Whereas, 1t is realized from past
experience that an increase in valua-
ton for the purposes Of taxation
means only an increase in the amount
of taxes to be paid by the taxpayers;
and,
that the true and actual value of all
kindsrof property in the state of West
Virginia, and particularly farm lands,
have decreased in value, in large
percentage from the value of the land
one or two years ago; and,
Whereas, Property, which was as
sessed at its true value one or two
years ago, if assessed at the same
amount this year, is excessively high
er than under the former assessment,
thereby working an increasing hard
ship on the farmer; and,
Whereas, During the period of
high prices, salaries of state, county
and municipal officers were properly
raised, but since the decline in prices,
they have not been decreased; and.
Whereas, It is recognized that the
valuations should be fair and uniform
throughout the state, it is also recog-
nized that the crying need Of the day
is not for the raising of more money,
but for an earnest endeavor on the
part of all the branches o. the govern
ment to curtail and to eliminate all I'M
necessary expenses and extravaganza,
and to administer each department in
an efficient and economical manner,
to the best interest of all citizens and
property holders of the state; and,
Whereas. We are now passing
through a period of declining prices
for all our products, and already feel
ing the pinch and burdens of taxa
ton, to almost the breaking point,
view with the greatest alarm and con-
Germ the movement from the tax conf
missioner's Office to have the assess
ment valuations raised; now, there
fore, be 1t