Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 231, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 September 1919 — GOODRICH MAKES GOOD. [ARTICLE]

GOODRICH MAKES GOOD.

The total tax duplicate for the state of Indiana will be increased from $2,405,391,661 to $6,028,588,491, or 150 per cent, according to the preliminary compilations of the In other words, the duplicate this year is almost exactly two and onehalf times the duplicate of last year. In accordance with the provisions of the new tax law, the tax rate for the state as a whole cannot exceed two-fifths of the rate new prevailing. There will be some changes in the valuation of property and the two-fifths rate will not apply specifically in every local jurisdiction. The rate will be higher in some municipalities, especially where more revenue is necessary on account of loss of liquor license fees and other losses in revenue. Nevertheless, considering the state as a whole, the rate may not exceed twofifths of the rate last year except by special permission of the state board of tax commissioners. The preliminary compilations of the state board indicate an increase in the assessment of real estate and improvements from $1,500,892,290 in 1918 to $3,687,699,250 in 1919, or an increase of 145 per cent. Real estate and improvements, outside incorporated cities and towns, increased from $1,008,940,615 in 1918 to $2,323,114,380 in 1919, or 130 per cent. At the same tune real estate and improvements within incorporated cities and towns increased from $^91,951,675 in 1918 to $1,364,584,870 in 1919, or 177 per cent. These preliminary* figures show conclusively that there is a real estate and improvements within incorporated cities and towns than in the country. In the former, the increased assessment amounted to 177 per cent and in the latter, 130 per cent. * Assessments of real estate were made early in the present year. Since that date, there has been a tremendous increase in the values of all real estate and improvements both rural and city. It is probable that farm real estate has increased in value from $25 to $75 an acre since March 1. Similar increases have also been realized in the values of city real estate. Even though the state tax board has insisted upon the assessment of real estate and improvements at its full value, it is certain to go upon the fa* duplicate a considerably less than its value at. the present time and especially when taxes on the 1919

assessment are collected. The largest percentage increase m the valuation of property as shown in the preliminary figures of the state board applies to property assessed by the state board of tax commissioners directly. The state tax board assesses directly interurbans, railroads, sleeping car lines, telephone and telegraph companies, banks and trust companies and public utilities. In this group, the assessment was increased from t-4S, 422,777 in 1918 to $880,220,499 in 1919, or an increase of 192 per cent. The smallest increase in valuation is shown in the assessments of personal property, increased from $65 5,056,594 in 1918 to $1,360,668,792 in 1919, or 107 per cent. The state board of tax commissioners has already called attention to the fact that real estate and improvements which comprised 64.68 per cent of the total duplicate last year will comprise less than 60 per cent of the duplicate this year. These preliminary compilations support the statements made by Governor Goodrich in his campaign for nomination and election to the office of governor. It was the governor's theory then that a’ fmr assessment of all property would result in decreasing the burden uppn, real estate. If the pending constttu-

tional amendment carries and the general assembly is permitted to classify property for taxation a great volume of intangible should be brought upon the duplicate and the burden upon real estate and all other property materially reduced.