The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-06-07

At the present time the importaAi
matter Of taxes to be levied against
timber lands in nearly all OF our states
rests in the hands OF the local county
assessors. whose chief ambition seems
to be to collect the largest amount OF
money they can from the owners OF
timber in their counties. It IS to- be
regretted that in many counties the
theory is announced BIZ officials that
the more taxes lumbermen are required
to pay the faster they will be obliged
20 cut the timber-hence the larger op-
erations they must conduct, the more
men they will employ. and the more
quickly viii the country be open for
settlement. This attitude can be
changed only by public sentiment for
every objection which the lumbermen
make to present methods OF taxation
is Immediately met with the charge
that they are influenced by selfish mo-
tives and seek TO evade just taxation.
The public should understand that
no real progress towards forest pres
ervation an be made so long as the
present system OF taxation remains in
vogue. 1t is the most important Ques-
ton confronting the forester today,
and is one OF the vital questions be-
fore the American people. Up 70 the
present time the public has been gem
orally hostile to any suggestions for
relieving standing timber from the
annual property tax. So long as forests
continue to be taxed on the AaSls or
an annual crop, holding young trees
until they reach maturity means a Ii
nancisl loss TO anyone who attempts
it. Such methods OF taxation are, in
the end, ruinous to the community
also, for they encourage abandonment
OF lands which viii thereafter yield
little or no revenue for an indefinite
period
Cut-over lands are usually assessed
at their fun value, and II II were posi-
BILE TO dispose OF them the great ma
jority of lumbermen would be glad 70
sell their cut-over lands at present
assessed values.
The lumbermen universally feel that
The time is at hand when some more
Just method OF taxation viii have 10 be
devised. They would like 70 look 70 the
forester for a practical and reasonable
Of this problem. Various plans
have been proposed as a substitute for
the general property tax on timber
a
has been placed upon forest lands. with
an understanding that a tax viii be
assessed upon the timber crop when So
is harvested. Louisiana is one OF the
few states in the union which relieves
timber lands which are held for forest
growth from fun taxation, levying a
nominal tax for a period OF years and
then taking a certain percentage OF
the value OF the crop which may be
cut therefrom after the timber has ma
tured.
The objection Of the lumbermen to a
yield tax Is the uncertainty OF what
It will amount TO when collected. Hold
ing timber for long period Of years
until IL reaches a size Of commercial
value involves expenses other than
taxes, and the fear is expressed that
which viii be levied upon the product
when IL is eventually cut win leave
little, if any, profit for the risk in
volved. Lumbermen also have good
reason to fear that laws which may
be enacted today, relieving the timber
lands from taxation for a certain peri
Cd and fixing a tax on the product
when 1t IS harvested, will be repealed
Or materially revised long before the
trees are cut. 1t Is an unfortunate
fact that they have frequently had SAD
experiences with the reputation OF
avs affecting their business.
The development and progress OF the
practice Of forestry in this country is
solely dependent upon the evolution o.
economic conditions, and the 1umbera
men may be counted upon to suppoK
md cooperate with all reasonable and
practicable measures for the perpetu
alton OF forests as rapidly as they car
10 so without sustaining actual loss
They would like to feel that they ars
Engaged not in a depleting industrgm
1ut that they are In q business WHEY
viii prove a source Of profit ant
pleasure to themselves and their chill
iren, and a permanent blessing 20 ths