The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-01-30
TAX INCREASE,
IS SUBJECT OF
ADVISORS TRIP
Investigation by p. S. Riehey
Shows That a Decided Difference
In Taxes Has Been Made.
Especial to The Argus.)


Aledo, Jan. 30.-By making trip
to Chicago last week p. S. Richey,
advisor of the Mercer County Farm
bureau, was able to obtain lnforma-
ton showing that there has been
decided increase in taxes made on
Illinois land by the last tax COM
mission over and above the yalua-
ton placed on the land by the coun-
ty boards of review.
At a recent meeting of the local
farm bureau directors here captain
%. 4. Carlstrom, member or the
state tax commission, spoke by re-
uuest. but the farm heads were DIS
satisfied with his explanation OF the
4 per cent increase without a pro-
ncrtionate increase on city lots and
town property.
Mr.. Richey states that the 1921
tax commission cannot claim that
they lowered the land valuations OF
the 1920 tax commission, but the
most they can claim is that they
did not raise them as much as the
1920 body. According to Mr.. Rlchey
the local county clerk has had IN
mind that it was necessary 10 toi-
low up the state tax commissions
increases in property values with
similar increases in property val
.ues for county taxation purposes.
Tax Increase.
such a policy will eventually
Mace land holders\w where they can
not stand to own land. Lands Will
be sold and the money placed in
tax free securities, or in proper
ties which are never found by tax
authorities. Mr.. jenkins, attorney
of the Illinois Agricultural assocla-
ton, points out that the county
board of review is not responsible
to the valuations made by the state
tax commission but that the state
tax commission is dependent for its
valuation on the county boards OF
review or the county assessments,
declares Mr.. Richey.,
He further states that John
Swartz. chairman of the Mercer
county board of review, was not
aware of the fact that an increase
had been made on land valuations
without proportionate increase Oh
other taxable property for county
tax purposes.
Mr.. Richey said that farmers
here realize that taxes must be paid
and that an increase in the ex-
penses of county government ne
cessitates an increase in taxes but
| feel money raised for taxes should
be raised by equalizing property
besides land and that land itself
should not have been increased
without a proportionate increase OF
. other properties.
Data obtained by Mr.. Richey
shows that in the past three years
the state tax commissions have add
ed nothing to the valuations of per
sonal property and town and city
lots but have made the following
/ increases on land: In 1919, $22.-
707, 1896 was added by the tax COM
mission; in 1920. S112,05S,493 was
added and in 1921 there was an in
crease of $54,923,3 1884. Taking the
year 1918 as a 100 per cent basis
the past year shows the following
decreases and increases of differ
ent classes of property assessed in
the state: Personal property in
creased per cent; land increased
1873 per cent; town and city lots
increased As per cent. The above
shows plainly that land has been
hit the hardest of the increases.
Railroads, including capital stock.
were increased 6 per cent, and cap
ital stock OF corporations other than
railroads was decreased SO per
per cent.