Daily Kennebec journal., 1924-04-03

owned within the state. with appro-
pirate statements Of the income de-
rived therefrom. and the subsequent
levying of tax upon such property
based upon the income derived. In
the interest OF ediciency. secrecy
Of returns, and prevention OF
evasion. We believe that the col.
lection of returns and the assessment
and collection Of the tax should be
administered under State authority.
A tax rate which Vould be the equiv.
alent OF tax OF six percent upon the
income from such property would
appear to US to be fair one.
With the thought always In mind
that our object Is to eQualiye and
tighten the burden already being
bourne by other classes OF prop
erty, We recommend that the pro-
ceeds OF this tax be applied to a re-
duction OF the State tax assessed
upon towns and cities, rather than
as an additional source Of funds for
future expenditure. The applica-
ton OF the revenue to the reduction
or the State tax would benefit all
cities and towns equally, while a re-
turn OF the proceeds to towns where
tne securities were held would con-
ier uneven benefits in various
| localities.
The plan we are proposing may
weu meet the approval of all
classes OF people in all localities.
it may we'll be pointed out here that
Q determined and systematic en-
torcement of our existing tax laws
would speedily produce a sentiment
IN iavor OF just such legislation as
we propose from those who might
upon immature consideration on
pose 1t. The application of the
proceeds Of the proposed tax toward
, the reduction Of the State tax.
rather than Its returns to the towns
ana cities where such securities are
| heid. Is justified by the increasingly
evident fact that suchN public neces-
SUES as improved roads and
| schools which shall approximate in
rank anu quality those of the cities
and other essential institutions for
our rural towns, cannot be main
| famed without further assistance
from the larger centerS of wealth
and population.
| Very rapidly the people OF our
| larger towns and cities are coming
| 10 reailze that as matter OF self
| interest and self preservation thew
! ana their wealth must assist and
contribute toward bringing about
better conditions in the country
| towns in order to check the steadily
| increasing drift from the farms 10
the, industrial centers.
The matter OF property exempt
from taxation. previously hinted at
In this report, Is one which might nm :
uer ordinary conditions well occupy
the serious attention of this com
mittee. 1t so happens, however,
that the last legislature provided
for thorough investigation of the
question or tax exemptions by a
committee which has since been
selected, composed of men OF the
highest ability. this committee is
now at work and we may properly
hesitate before intruding upon their
province. Their discoveries and
recommendations will, however, be
awaited with great interest BY ali
members OF the organizations here
represented.
Inc actual details and provisions
OF O legislative bill putting into
erect the principles we have out
ilned may well be left with those
who shall eventually draft and pre-
sent such proposed legislation. We
recommend. however. that in this as
IN all other matters in which we are
concerned the authorized rep
resentatives of the Federation be
given full authority to make such
changes and concessions as may be
oeemed necessary in order to meet
and join with representatives of
other interests in working out a
policy of justice and equity to all.
In conclusion may we say the
Maine farmer Is not and never has
been shirker in matters of taxa
ton. He believes in our State and
IN her institutions. He is willing to
pay his share Of their maintenance
he recognizes taxation, as the bone
ana sinew that supports, the protect :
ing arm of government. He is viii =
ing and proud to pay his part of
the cost OF education, progress
and improved conditions. He has
come to point. however, where he
, demands in no uncertain tones that
property owners in every walk of
life shall share more fully with
holders of real estate the burdens
imposed by our civilization.