The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-08-08

ton OF approximately IS .0oo,-
900. or an increase offs o 90. 900
or so perscent over last year. i
In arriving ut the amount IN
be raised for conducting the az
fairs of the city for the fiscal year
the board members took into con-
sideration the feet that the same
amount as test year would go
much farther this year and that
an additional 81. 400 or 1900
would BIZ sufficient TO carry on
the affairs of the city in pro-
gressive Smanner.
1t was also remembered that
the members of the board promis-
ed a mass meeting OF taxpayersA5
held in objection TO the increase
lin the valuation Of property that
it would not raise any more money
this year1than last. The meeting I
allowed both the city and county
leyying boards at 5 per cent in
crease If needed. The increase
asked for by the city board will
not am cunt to that much.
The board VIII meet again on
Tuesday, August 22. TO establish
the levy estimated today, IL there
ia no objection to the levy as
estimated by the board n
Z. Letter From Mailman
II + 81 ~ q !
All the tax levying bodies of thes
county had a communication frontA
Walter S. Hallanan, state tax CONF
mission er, before them today when
they started to make the levtes for
the fiscal year.
az am sure that you realize thai
the eyes Of the people Of the state
are centered upon you and your
action with intense interest, z ads
monished the commissioner. HI 4
stated that he had given his best
interests Ito an Enforcement OF
the tax laws to the end that the
burd ems OF governmental sup
port may be equitably and fairly
distributed. My whole policy has
been directed toward q reductions
tive Limitation OF public expendt-e
lures" q,
Climbing Unreasona bly, "a
Commissioner Hallanah asserted
that crates OF taxation have been
climbing unreasonably FOR the
past six years until tho burdens.
Of government have become acute
and that the period has been reaclt
ed when the start must be made;
in the other direction" The full
text of his communicative blows:
you will meet on next Tuesday
August as required by law, 30
make up your estimates of expen-E
ditures for the ensuing year and
upoa which your levfes Will he pre-
dictated. Lam sure thatyou realize
that the eyes of the people OF the
state are conferred upon you and@
your action with intense interest,"
Your responsibility is fixed and DEL
finite with reference to The subject
OF public expenditure ia
People Are InsIstent
THE insistent demand. OF they
people Is for reduction IN the tax
burden, and the curtailment of APP
preparation OF public funds City
county and school district govern
ments must respond to thai de-.
man, as we'll as the admi Illustration
OF the state and nation wing
cost are being reduced and bud-s
gets should reflect that fact tn4the
levy of taxes. A.
~ have given my best efforts ~
an enforcement Of the tax .aEss$SssstNl
|! the state to the end that the bur-
/ dens of governmental support NAV
be eauitably and fairly distribuxed:s
My whole policy has been direct
| ed toward reduction OF tax bur-
tdens through an effective limtta-
| ton of public expenditures. Ths3
| tax burdens have mot ben equitahly
distributed heretofore. That fact
! is notoriously known. We arestryss
ing to correct that condition, but3ins
| doing SO, let US not forget that
there is also a. duty to;reduce the
cost OF government.
mo reasonable person will seI;il
pect that the cost of governments
can ever be reduced tosthe pre-
war basis. War has brought vastly
| different economic conditions that
are generally recognized. Rates OF
reasonably for the past six years
until the burdens OF government
have become acute. We have now
treacked the period when the start
must be made In the other direces
ition. The taxapying public has
treason to expect a Suhsranttal| els
for. in this direction.
Tax Books Reflect Better
property assessment this yeass
| has been brought to more s1H
! cessfu1 basis than in any previoo ~
year The tax books more neariyss
lreflact the true and actual value
4 standard and as a result there hasYs
been a considerable increase instnes
valuation OF real estate and pubnca
utility property. The responsibtlityA
( devolves upon you to see that from rom
the larger assessment no gJsater#
amcant OF revenue in the agAEegatss
is levied than in the precedtnss
year In many instances. the TOTAL
i revenue should be less, which sWonldS
permit greater reduction Ain ;a ties
4 OF levy than the increase inSyainass
! ton.
"For the school districts. It lists
be expected that it will requfresai:
greater revenue this year han for
Hast year, because Of the 8enlarges;
i ment OF the minim UNI school term
! from seven months to seven and
zone half months. as provided for
/ Inv .he school law. This would sin.S