The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-01-09

]Olnt sessions OF the mousse a.
in subcommittee appointed +
duction of an omnibus tax bi
to by the committee, in place
or more individual tax bills e
For the purpose of agreeing upon
2 method of procedure, Senator Thor
SON, chairman of the senate tax COM
mittee. and Rep, j. A. Jardlne, chalr-
man of the house tax committee,
have discussed the matter OF call
ing "a joint session of the committees
tonight or Thursday night. There
are IL members of the senate COM
m;ttee and II of the house commit
tee. The outcome of such joint
meeting may be the division of work
on tax matters among the members
in subcommittee. 1t is planned to
call upon the experts of the tax
commissioners Office and others for
advice.
Association to Be Represented.
Representatives of the North Da-
kota State Taxpayers association,
recently formed, are expected to at
tend sessions of the tax committees.
This organization fired into the
mails yesterday a 14-page bulletin
which contains an exhaustive report
of taxes in the state. j. G. Gunder-
There is vast difference of opinion
on the question of economy, caused
in part by the stand of the "educa-
tional bloc" which declares that the
state cannot afford to cripple its edu-
cational institutions. On the other
hand there is group which declares
that the pruning knife must be used,
and that what they call the "fol-de-
rolls" of education must 60 for
period of two or three years at most.
But there is unanimity Of opinion
upon the necessity for correction OF
many equalities in the tax laws.
There is difference of opinion, too,
but not so marked as in many other
cases. and there is general admission
that the problem if one which re-
uuires expert study and which can
only be worked out through general
application to detailed matters in
volved,
Proposals Raised.
Among the proposals for tax
law changes heard are:
- Base all valuations on so per
cent actual value instead of 100
per cent value of property.
Lo IN ro0ysvon fSnoo IN
once a year, instead of twice
year on real estate.
Lessen the interest charged to
delinquent taxpayers.
Reduce the interest rate on
taxes sold, making it easier for
property to be redeemed.
Eliminate all exemptions, or re-
duce exemptions materially.
Raise the state income tax.
Re-enact the oil tax, which
some companies allege is favor
able to the Standard Oil.
Provide small money and
credits tax that will yield rev.
enue and not drive money from
the state.
Discover new means OF taxa
tion to lessen the burden on
property.
Reduce the taxation burden on
farm lands, which is declared to
be 68 per cent of the total.
Enact luxury tax" for the
benefit of education.
Statements In Bulletin.
The bulletin of the state taxpay-
ems association contains many ex-
hibits showing the Increase in taxes.
y "The matter Of taxation has devel-
oped into serious situation in this
state, so much so that for one felt
the necessity of starting a movement
to fight the evil" says the opening
statement of President Gunderson.
II interviewed some Of my business
and farmer friends on the matter and
found that they were all of thes same
mind and that something must be
done, not only. to stop. the ever-in-
creating burden, but to get a sub
stantial relief as WE'LL"
Among the statements made, sum-
married. are:
The statement has already assess
ed itself $987,511 to pay interest on
bonds issued for the purpose Of car
rying out the industrial program.
The state paid $11,S56,673 total
taxes for the year 1918 and in 1921
paid $32,2511,51 or an increase Of
$2O,394 1888, making an increase Of
172 per cent in eight years.
Approximately 70 per cent Of the
burden falls upon real estate, or in
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