Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-25


Years. Personally, l don't ike
speculation, but in so far as we have
gone, doesn't the suggestion occur
that it would be wise to stop ana
take account of our timber resour.
ces? The Government Gin the Smell
Foresty bill) has this identical pro-
cedure under consideration. Isn't It
possible, that il accurate information
were obtained, we would ind our
selves much nearer q state OF banK-
ruptcy, as to pine, than most OF US
realize?
Now we'n tack about.
If nobody realizes the effects of our
timber slaughter on our scenery
our industries, our sources OF water
our farms and habitations. and upon
dozens of other phases OF our lie,
isn't the taxpayer awake to it's ef-
feet on his taxes? Certainly there IS
grumbling enough to be heard about
taxes, and especially upon timber
lands. We certainly are soaked with
taxes if we hold our timber, and we
are soaked about the same after we
cut. As an illustration in a town, let
/ me hold up this unfortunate Bald
| win.
| In 1913 the total land value was
assessed at 100000. G99,235.0O.
to be eXact) and the tax rate was
$50. In 1922, the total land value
| (minus the tax value of over so mil
lion of timber that had been cuD
was S4G3,932 and the tax rate $40.
The tax rate doubled in ten years.
| the land value more than doubled
Notwithstanding the fifty million OF
| timber gone; and in the meantime,
there had come to the town $4,000
of taxable property, in the form Of q
power plant.
l figure it this way: in 1913, one
paid $40 on a timber lot assessed at
$1,000: in 1922 he paid $3.50 on the
same lot, as its tax value had risen
| 200 per cent. and the tax rate was
doubled. What might the rate and
valuation have been, had not the
power plant appeared? OF course
it is self-evident that the more tax
able property taken from a town, the
higher the valuation or rate or both
| Our tax system of timbcr!ands is
bad enough when properly applied
and when misapplied, it is the limit
By this system one cannot afford tC
conserve timber today, if he wants
to do so. This system has Influenced
or compelled many to cut before they
wanted to. A system of cumberland
taxation has been devised whereby
one is enabled to hold his young tim
Der; it embodies the LAND" tax ant
the "yield' tax. BY this system, ONT
pays an annual tax on his land, say
IS per acre if it is worth it, and :
certain per cent. on the stumpag,
value of his timber when cut. JUS
such system Of taxation is Offered
the land owners of Maine, and tn,
State asks only that you will no
slaughter your timber. Isn't thi
system of taxation worthy of you
consideration? For details. Sc,
Chapter rs, Public Laws of Maine
1921, contained in the Forest Man
ual issued by the Forest Commission
er, Augusta.
Isn't it better that we have law
compelling timber conservation thai
those that force timber slaughter
| Foot Note The timber cut il
Baldwin was summarized by sew
eral men familiar with the timbe
operations during the past ten years
The estimate of standing timber wa
made by two farmers, two mill own
ers, civil engineer. and checked b.
several other men. l should apprCc-
late best estimates on standing tim
Der in other towns in Cumberland
County.
Richard P. Chase, NJ. D.