The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1922-07-27

to 90 before the Board of Super
visors with objections-as to the
assessments of those who are try
irr to 'get by. Many OF those,
who wish to escape taxation, go
before The Supervisors with their
complaints; yet nome do so 70
protest against the tax-dodgeTS
assessment. The Board is usually
left alone to resist The onslaught
of the tax-dodgers. The Super,
visors not only need YOUR moral
support. but they need also your
information as to what property
is not listed on the rolls and as to
what property is listed at an
lunder-valuation. Examine the roll
and point out to the Supervisors
who Isl about to "get by" and how:
There are several hundred
thousand children i'm Mississippi
to be educated. The Gallantry OF
ule Confederate soldier is to be
concentrated by Confederate
Pensions. The ravages of tubercu-
losis and other MALIGNANT diseases
are to be halted, if possible. The
afflicted are to be treated. Inc
insane are to be cared for. Good
roads are to be constructed and
maintained. Many other things OF
the kind are to be provided Tor.
This cannot be done except by
unless the Supervisors equallze
taxation. Taxation cannot be just
the assessments fairly. These
things cover ninety-flve per-
centum of your taxes.
If the tax-dodger succeeds,
either these things will be meager-
lv provided for; or the tax rates
will be increased, and the taxpayer
who has given in an honest as
sessment, made to pay more than
his just share of taxes. Tax rates
are very high i'm Mississippi. The
explanation of this is that so
much property is not assessed on
the rolls and SO much property IS
undervalued that the Supervisors
are compelled to increase the tax
rates to make UP for the shortage
in the total revenues to be collect
ed. Such method penalties
honesty and patriotism. 1t would
certainly be fairer to increase the
tax-dodger's assessment, and col
lect the needed funds by forcing
him to pay his just portion of the
tax burden. instead of burdening
the honest tax payers with higher
tax rates.
By giving in your assessment
for less than the value of your
property by emitting property
from your tax list. maybe you can
save yourself ten ON fifteen dol
lars or even more, of taxes; but
Just think what you will be doing
you will be giving your support
and endorsement to tax-dOdging.
Such practice ties the hands of
your Government which is doing
so much for her citizens-protect-
ing your property, the life and
liberty of Yourself and your dear
ones; educating your children;
and doing many more things for
your welfare. Your lodging your
just share of taxes will enable the
big taxpayers to do so too, and
they will cheat your State and
County Government out of thou
sands of dollars of taxes. The ex
penSeS of keeping three or four
children in school during the, free
school term would be far greater
than the taxes of the average tax
payer, if such expenses were
oolne by private subscription. Do
you feel that you can afford to
cripple such beneficient Govern
ment to save so little?
Some Supervisors explain to
their friends: eve did rot want
to increase your assessment; but
led us to do So" If ou will ex-
anime the law you will find that
the Tax Commission has not been
given the authority to fix the as
sessment against any individual;
but that such authority has been
entrusted onlv to the Supervisors.
The State Tax Commission has
control only over the total as
sessment of each class of property.
We have no control over the
amount of money expended by the
State Government. This and the
tax rate for it are fixed by the
Legislature. We have no control
over the amount of money expend-
ed by the county. This and the tax
rates for it are fixed by the Super
visors. We are charged only with
the duty of equalizing the total
assessment of each class of prop
erty, one county compared With'l
the others. Do not mistake this
as an apology to the tax-dodgers
because we would be too glad tol
make every tax-dodger toe the
mark, if we had the authority of
| law to fix assessments against in
dividuals We urge you to CO.
operate with us in our efforts to
get the Supervisors to assess all
taxpayers properly, without fear
or favor; for they alone have such
authority.
If THE Supervisors fail to make
the proper assessment against any
axpayer. please furnish us with
tho facts, and We will request the
Attorney General to appeal from
the assessments to the court. If
j Won like unnr name will be held