The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1941-08-14

So, 10000.
After examining number OF the
assessments on the Lincoln county
tax roll, Mr.. Candee says he is con-
fident there are inequalities in some
assessments and that there are also
numerous instances in which the
valuations as turned in to the as
SCISSOR do not cover the true value OF
the property. This condition results
in too low valuation of certain
properties on the tax roll, he says.
Large Sum Evading Taxation
AS an example OF what he alleges
is an evasion Of tax payment by
some individuals, Mr.. Candee cites
a condition that he says is disclosed
by an examination Of the financial
reports OF Lincoln county banks.
Mr.. Candee states that reports by
the Libby and Troy banks show
that there is fully $500, 900 on de-
post in those banks that does not
show up on the assessment rolls. In
other words, that amount OF money
is escaping taxation. according to
his belief. However, it has been
agreed that Mr.. Candee will make
no attempt to examine bank rec
ords to uncover this hidden money
until such time - arrangements
can be made to have the same thing
done throughout the state. This POI
sition is taken because 1t is believed
such examination, If carried on only
in Lincoln county, would result in
driving large sums OF money out Of
the county, and even If the money
were not driven out OF the county,
ii would result in people of this
county paying a larger part OF the
state taxes if the same practice is
not general all over the state. 1t is
agreed that undoubtedly large sums
are escaping taxation in every coun-
ty in the state, because OF being
hidden in banks and not reported
by the depositors-a practice that
is believed to be quite common.
Must File Inventory
MIR. Candee states that the law
requires property owners to file
with the county assessor at the time
the annual assessments are being
made, an itemized inventory of all
ones property This provision of the
law is practically totally ignored,
he says. If this investigation results
in enforcing this provision requiring
itemized invoices, all home owners
in fact, all property owners-will
have to file such an inventory, item
by item, covering every piece OF
household furniture, pictures, dish
es. silverware, electric equipment
all jewelry, all wearing apparel
in fact every item Of property ir
ones possession. He says that is the
intent of the law, and that such ar
inventory Of ones property shoulc
be filed with the assessor each year
Mr.. Candee Is inclined to believe
that much wealth in the county i:
escaping taxation. Otherwise he
would not have asked for the S.,
10000 to cover costs of the invest
CATION. He feels that many assess
ments are too low, yet on the othel
hand, the investigation may disclose
that some assessments are too high
Will Hire Investigator
Present plans are to hire man Il
make the investigations, said Mr.
Candee He expects to pay abou
$4,000 per month to such a man
and that it will require about II
months to investigate certain par
of the assessments. The salary item
will thus consume Sl,500.00 of tn
$4,000 appropriation, leavint
$4,000 to cover other expenses o
the Investigations, Mr.. Candle
stated that the $2,20000 would no
be sufficient to permit delvin
into every assessment in the county
but that as many would be exam
ined as the funds would permit
Those that are apparently most on
Of line will be first investigated
he said.
What Would Penalty Be?
When asked what action h
planned to institute where assess
ments are found to. be too low, Nj
Candee replied thatsnot much coul
be done except to see that the val
uations are increased next year. /
view Of the absence Of itemized ir
ventories, it would be difficult [
prove Intentional falsifying of prop
erty valuations, said Mr.. Candle
However, if instances are discovere
in which property owner has ir
tentionally hidden and failed to n