Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1922-07-21
State Tax Commission.
To THE TAXPAYER

~ THE ANA Ell.
The Supervisors are required by
law to equahze assessments of prop.
erty, at their July meeting; and tc
hear objections TO the assessments,
at their August meeting. Unless
you complain at that time, the law
denies you the right to do so after
wards.
The Tax Commission wants you to
go before the Board of Supervisors
with objections as to the assessments
OF those who are trying to get by.
Many Of those, who wish to escape
taxation, go before the Supervisors
with their complaints; yet none do
so to protest against the tax dod-
ger 's'assessment. The Board is usn-
ally left alone to resist the onslaught
OF the tax-dodoers. The Supervis-
ors 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 differentiation. Exam
ine the roll and point out to the
Supervisors who is about to get
by and how.
There are several hundred thous-
and children in Mississippi to be ed
ueated. The Calamity of the Con-
federate soldier is to be commence
rated by Confederate Pensions. The
ravages of tuberculosis and other
malignant diseases are to be halted,
If possible. The afflicted are to be
treated. The insane are to be cared
for. Good roads are to be construc-
ted and maintained. Many other
things of the kind are to be provided
for This can not be done except by
taxation. Taxation cannot be just
unless the Supervisors equahza the
assessments fairly. These things
cover ninety per centum OF your
taxes.
If the tax dodger succeeds, either
these things will be meagerly' pro-
vided for; or the tax rates will be
increased, and the taxpayer who has
given in an honest assessment, made
10 pay more than his just share Of
taxes. Tax rates are very high in
Mississippi. The explanation Of this
is that so much property is not as
sessed on the rolls and SO much
property is undervalued that the
Supervisors are compelled to in
crease the tax rates to make up for
the shortage in the total revenues
to be collected. Such method pen
aIizes honesty and patriotism. 1t
would certainly be fairer to increase
the taxdodgers assessment, and col
lect the needed funds by forcing him
to pay his just portion of the tax
burden. Instead of burdening the
honest taxpayers with higher tax
rates.
BY giving in your assessment for
less than the value OF your property
and by emitting property from your
taxlist. maybe YOU can save your
self ten or fifteen dollars or even
more, of taxes; but Just think what
you will be dong; you will be giving
your support and endorsement to
tax-dodging. Such practice ties the
hand OF your Government, which IS
doing SO much for her citizens pro-
tectlng 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 bic
taxpayers to do so too, and they will
cheat your State and County Govern
ment QUITO thousands Of dollars of
taxes. The expenses of keeping
three or four children in school
during the free school term would be
far greater than the taxes of the
average taxpayer, if such expenses
Were borne by private subscription.
Do you feel that yoL can afford to
cripple such beneficient Govern
ment to save SO llttle2
Some Supervisors explain to their
friends: I'VE did not want to in.
crease your assessment; but the
State Tax Commission compelled us