Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1930-09-11
UNJUST TAXATION OF THE FARM
AND HOME

AShON
The gross injustice of our present
property tax as applied to the farm
or the small or moderately priced
home is becoming more and more
apparent
In determining equity in taxation,
the theory that one should pay in
proportion to his ability to pay has
many advocates and is fast growing
in favor. 1t is so manifestly fair that
it should be at least an important
consideration in determining what is
an equitable tax.
But the property tax system, under
which most of our taxes in Mime
sofa are raised, does not at all con-
slider ability to pay and as affecting
the farm and ordinary home is entire
ly out of proportion with ability to
pay for ability to pay is largely
measured by income and the home
brings in no income at all and the
farm a very small, uncertain and
hazardous income for the amount re-
quired to be invested; while many
industries, trades and professions,
yielding a large and dependable in
come, are bearing a ridiculously small
share of the tax load.
We could name farms taxed as high
as $3.50 per year, the income from
which is barely $1,000 to $4,000; we
taxed as high as $125 per year whose
owners scarce make living wage;
while many, living largely in the
cities, whose business requires only
office furniture, are drawing down in
comes from $4,000 to $4,000 per year
but who pay taxes so small as to be
insignificant. A gentleman, and one
who is in favor of tax reform, re-
Gently told the writer that he was
getting a salary of $4,000 per year
and was only asked to pay in taxes
$3.50 per year.
He was enjoying from government
the same protection, privileges and
opportunities as the farmer and the
small home owner and enjoyed an in
come under that government three
or four times that of the farmer and
maybe ten times that of the home
owning laborer, yet the farmer was
paying toward the support of that gov
eminent 100 times as much as he and
the laborer was paying so times as
much as he paid.
How long the farmer and small
home owner will continue to submit
to this injustice and keep on pulling
the tax load of the state from the
short end of the double-tree is large
ly up to- the farmer and home own
err himself as their united votes could
compel legislation that would effect
more equal distribution of the tax
burden.
We mention the small home owner
Or home of moderate cost because
such home ownership is highly desir-
able and should be encouraged; such
homes are the love nests of our land
where people really live, rear fam
lilies. beautify with flowers, trees and
shruhbery, endeared by the prattle of
children, consecrated by births, mar
riages and happy anniversaries, hal
lowed perhaps by the death of a
loved one, here we erect affairs to the
gods of the household place of
sacred memories. There is something
about home ownership that makes for
good citizenship, stable government
and the most ideal social conditions.
To discourage such ownership by ex-
Cessive and confiscatory taxation is an
economic and social crime. Yet such
taxation is fast driving our people
into rented apartments and flats and
the man who sings Home Sweet
Home" in rented flat is just kid
ding himself and serenading the land
lord" A man will fight for his home,
he will even die for its protection
but who ever heard of a man risking
his life for a flat
Expensive homes and the mansions
of the rich come in the class of luxur-
les and can well afford to pay taxes.
To encourage the laborer and man
of moderate means to own his own
home the state could wisely allow
an exemption of at least $500 on all
property occupied by its owner as a
home, or place homes in a class to