| Show FACTS ABOUT PROPOSED TAX if baua U AMENDMENT TO THE STATE constitution C it will be but a short time beffe all qualified elec electors torlIn Cin the state will be given an tunit to go to the polls and cast ther ballots to back up men or women of their choice for election to different precinct county and state offices of course it is important that each citizen who Is entitled to a vote use us that ote to the best advantage it is ilso important that the tight right men and namen for these thee different offices be elected we however consider the most important point at isue for decision at the next election ind nd which should most certai certainly nl be voted down by all miners the proposed mining tax amendment the proposed amendment to 4 article 13 of the constitution of the state ta T begin with mining corn com danits are taxed on the original cost per aire atre of mining claims that have been patented regardless of whether there alsan coal or prod iced from the ground or not and in addition thereto the he surface ground f it possesses separate and independent value is taxed at bucl value companies have spent mIlli millions ors of dollars in development vi CSc ana in some cases cues hare anever never realized a cent in retain present tax law alio provides for taxation tation or s net proceeds from productions and ia in an ving at net proceeds the producer ia Is not allowed to hold out all expenses from the gross income la in fact only money pid p id aut ut for fm actual labor at the mines etc ete on n the job is taken into consideration then there la to the occupation tax which in itself for the year 1917 war amount to three per cent of the net production be beides des this there is a tax on all improve ments buildings equipment stock etc around the mine this is the present method ot taxation and any fair minded man or woman after giving the matter careful consideration will readily see that is sufficient and that it represents a large outlay of money each year all the mining industry can possibly afford and operate at a reasonable profit the proposed amendment provides for the present method of taxation of mat mince mines and mining claims so far as the surface acreage ii Is concerned but li addition thereto it Is 1 proposed that a value based on some multiple or multiple of the net annual proceeds thereof shall be taxed it further proposes to assess all coal mines or coal mining claims and lands contact ing coal or hydro hydrocarbons carbons at their full value how ilow is it possible to determine the value of a coal mine a coal mining claim or lands containing codi coal we all know that it lq 1 utterly aly impossible to de t te I 1 artno inc even app the abc acc accurate arate value of such properties and therein lies tho the great eil in the proposed pio posed amendment men dment when applied to coal mining and coal bearing lands particularly so when we bear in mind the fact that this valuation for assessment proposed ia Is to be arrived at by an appointive political boain in nowise accountable to the people where property is to be thus and assessed this tax amendment is iv il a political move which is get ting most of its support from the rural districts stockmen stoc kmen farmers etc to whom it is 14 falsely asserted that aney are u overtaxed nver river taxed carry me ing mire m ire than their bitin of the burden of the mates expenses while the mining are escaping with a email small dispio vor tax ta if the sune sime tax law was imposed upon either farmers ot 01 stock gro grower as it 1 19 13 3 at the present time imposed upon the mining companies eq there neild bo be a big holler for instance take a min man m in with a flock of sheep this hock flock of sheep ia Is taxed tn ed according acco iding to its actual value and that is the end of it if a I liw aw was passed exacting the same toll from these esc sheep as is expected from the mining it boull I 1 mean besides i tax on stion an ail additional tax on an each wool clip cr r income from the flocks aid ald the owner not permitted to deduct for his own services money spent in upkeep etc except tint actually paid out to men doing the herding or shearl shear hs i you have never heard of a furmer farmer being taxed on grain in his bins or hay in his attacks that is taxed on what the as assor places the valuation of his property pio perty ceic Is another vital point comine coming up in this umen amendment dment which neds ii eds cageful consideration if it goes through it will mean the right of the county official to assess the of the mines and mil mit me ing property will be taken awa from each county nt 41 4 this power placed in the hands of a board appointed by bir the governor men uen not directly in touch with the situation locally in the coal ua camps cannot properly render a jual decision concerning the valuation of these properties if the amendment as proposed prop obed goes through it il ill mean a heavy handicap to tho operators a slowing up in development work and the withdrawal of money from the field which 1 19 being faed for investment purposes |
