OCR Text |
Show uu AS TO TAXING MINES IN UTAH. Papers in the capital are unanimous in defense of the mining interests now resisting the proposed change in the constitution of the state to allow mining property to be assessed as i& other real estate in Utah The motive mo-tive is plain The papers axe owned by mining men or are subject to their influence, and we say this without with-out seeking to infer that the editors are not doing what they deem to be right The atmosphere of Salt Lake is thai of a mining camp. The wealthier men of the community are mining men and there is a prejudice in favor of mining interests But in legislating for the entire state, the lawmakers should not allow themselves to be beot from a course of exact Justice. The mine owners must be fairly dealt with but they should not expect exemptions Instead In-stead of resisting an equitable assess ment for tax purposes, they should join with those outside the mining regions who are Insisting on greater economy in 6tate affairs and a corre sponding reduction In all taxation The mining men are among the brightest, bright-est, most Influential citizens of the 6tate and they should be held in line for economy by being forced to accept ac-cept their full share of responsibility for state extravagance It is all nonsense to declare the value of a mine cannot be approximately approxi-mately determined. A property turning out $14. 000,000 or $15,000,000 a year and yielding dividends of $5,000.- 000 or 16,000,000, with land holdings of 400 or 500 acres, should be required to pay taxes on more than the price paid for the ground to the govern- ment, which ma not exceed $1500 i The correct theory of taxation is that the expenses of government should 'be apportioned In ratio to the ability 1 ot tbe property owners to carry the 'burden All our tax laws are being constructed along those lines includ ling inheritance and income taxes Farm property today Is taxed on a valuation arris e,i at h estimating the production of l he land Why should not mines be taxed on the same ba sis? |