The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1948-12-17
Mail Order Assessments Weak


Mail order assessments not going to solve
the problem. Illinois, New York, Utah and other
states have made progress as one authority says by
''enlightened the state
providing information and tools necessary for good
assessing giving in-servce training, providing
uals and handbooks.
utah started practically and simply by setting
up valuation engineering division which spent
some time in formulating scientific schedules for
the valuation of various types of buildings, and pre-
pared re-apprasa card for use in the field
which could be recorded all data
Reaction finally good. Not infrequently
opposition melted away when groups of cards show
ing photographs of comparable structures revealed
emphatically the inequalities in former assessments
Why Not Publish Assessments
Other methods tried have been the publication
of what individual businesses and structures are
assessed at.
Assessment in Montana
How does Montanas assessment compare with
those of other states in which objective studies have
been made and machinery set in motion to bring i'm
provement. Is there room in state for improve
ments, and if so what procedure shall be used?
An to these questions seems imperative.
The material in this pamphlet is based the
sumption that honesty, efficiency, equity and justice
is important to the stability of economic and
political system. The whole undertaking is aimed
at stimulating examination study and discussion.
Need Public Support
1t is most obvious that no worth while improve
ment involving change can be accomplished without
general public support.
Since detailed, objective study or report on
Montana assessment is available the interested stu
dent must be depended on to make his own COM
Parsons
Some Good Questions
No great study is required to determine an APP
proXmate answer to questions like these:
Are Montana assessors given an opportunity to
make honest, fair and equitable assessments:
Are assessors given the personnel for on-the-spot
Are they provided with trained supervisory help
in estimating value of buildings, cost of replacement
depreciation ETC.?
Are they provided with the moral support and
security of tenure required for honest and fair APP
OraisalS?
Does ours approach that mail Order'-"Col-
ector of Lists and Administrator of Oaths"-sys-
ems which the other states have found so expensive
md inefficient?
Is Montana's method of one valuation for rate
making and another for tax purposes in the case of
arge utility companies fair and conducive to sta
,ilty of government?
AS stated before government survival depends on
aith wel-founded and justified Anyone, or al
most anyone, can help to restore improve faith
~ insisting justice.
If injustice and inequality exists, one should have
N hand exact and documentary evidence in making
omplaints.
It does not take an expert to determine if prop
rty of the same class is equitably assessed
nipple way is to compare the assessment of buildings
the same structure and USE
Personally feel that Montana's assessment
als far short of what should reasonably expect.
But we also know that nothing is going to be
one about it unless the public demands improve
1ent That demand will come only after examna-
ion, study and discussion.
Now that property taxes are so high is it not
Imperative that we determine if justice and equality
reva?
Summary of Needs