FOR EQUALIZATION OF TAXES, Committee of State Grange Fresent Sub. Jeot to the Senate and Houve, We, farmers and citizens of Pennsyl- vania engaged in farming appointed a committee by the Pennsylvania State Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, author- ized to address your honorable body, herewith set forth certain diserimina- tions and hardships imposed upon real estate, farm and home owners by the unequal and unjust tax laws of Pennsyl- vania which exact from real estate, ap- praised for taxation at $4 633,547,665.- 00, a tax of $77,348,540.00 annualy, or an average of 16 3-4 mills on the dollar. While under authority of the same laws only $24,555,963.00 are collected from personal and corporate property which is appraised for taxation at $9,205,840,- 650.00, or an average tax of only 3 mills on the dollar. In addition to the foregoing dis- crimination against real estate, cited, the counties are required to pay direct to the State $10,039,375.28. ( Report of Auditor Genersl, page 2, 1910, latest Report available. ) It may be contended by some that real estate is undervalued for taxation. So is personal and corporate property and to much larger extent, as indicated by the statistical reports of monwealth. This subject was fully investigated by the Pennsylvania Tax Conference a few years ago. A record was made from the the County Commissioners of the assessed value of real estate for taxation and what lands actually sold for in the market which clearly indicated that real estate was assessed for fully seventy-five per cent of its selling price in the several coun- ties of the State, while personal and eorporate property, according to the statistical reports of the State and taxes he Com- complete books of collected, are not assessed at more than fifty per cent of their market value. Take, as an example, the appraised market value of manufacturing plants stated at $2,749,206,000.00. ( Report of Secre- tary of Internal Affairs, 1910, Part 3, page 31), while its estimated appraised value for taxation is only $1,655,833,- 703, and taxes paid $1,200,230.00. ( Re- port Auditor General, 1910. page 254) ; go that if there is any under-valuation of property for taxation it applies more forceably to and corporate property than it does to real estate. When the Legislature enacted laws changing the financial of the State, it exempted personal and cor- porate property irom local taxation and made it taxable wholly for the support of the department of State and then in return made real estate taxable wholly for county, city and local governments, When this policy was inaugurated by i not the a in Pennsylvania which personal JOUCY the state, the wisest statesman dic foresee the enormous growth value of personal and corporate prop- erty, which now has reached the pro- digious sum of over $9,205,840,650.00 In the race of development personal and corporate property has out-stripped real estate by over $4,000,000,000, During the same period the taxes on real estate have increased to $77,348,- 550.00, while on personal and corporate property, the taxes have behiond real estate more than $52,792,000, We might cite numerous cases of how this discrimination affects the home owner, but we will give only a few il- lustrations of the situation : Take two citizens of the Common- wealth ; one buys a home for $1,000, and is required to pay a tax of from $20 to $30 for the support of schools, roads, poor, ete. The other invests his $1,000 in personal property, bonds and mort- gages and is taxed $4 for the support of the state and nothing for the home government, the benefit of which he enjoys equally with the other, This unjust discrimination is author- ized by the laws of Pennsylvania, a re. public that counsels its people * To love mercy and do justice’. We there- fore, appeal to your Honorable Body to carefully investigate this complaint of the farmers, home owners and tenants of Pennsylvania. RECAPITULATION How the tax Pennsylvania ; The aggregate appraised valued of real estate in Pennsylvania is, $4,033, 547,695. The taxes paid by real estate are, $77,348,640, Average rate of estate, 16 3-4 mills, Appraised value of personal and cor- porate property, $0,.205,840,650. Taxes paid on personal and corporate prop- erty, after deducting commissions, licenses and other miscellaneous souyces of income, amountin g to $10,039,375 28, leaves a tax on personal and corporate property of only $14,610,588, Average rate of taxation on personal and corporate prope rty, 3 mills, How the accounts would stand if taxes were levied equitably. If personal and corporate property were taxed at the same average mill rate #0 that if real estate would be of faller accounts stands in taxation on real _-_ taxed under an equitable arrangement, crediting licenses, fees, commissions, ete., to personal proper ty amounting to $10,039,375.28, personal property would bs required to pay $69,043 804 instead of $24 555,063, so that an aver- age tax rate of 7 1-2 mills would pro- vide all the revenues necessary to ad- minister all the divisions of the state government. How the real estate. account would stand with If taxes were collected equitably real estate would be required to pay only $34,751,607, instead of $77,328,540, or a saving to the real estate owners annual- ly of $42,506,933. Tax laws of Pennsylvania rob real estate owners. The real estate owners are annually grossly robbed of $42,596,933. Eigh- teen millions of this amount is directly extorted from the farmers and twenty- four millions froin residents in cities and towns, whether they be owners or ten- ants. It is this policy of the State that has driven away from the farmers and rural committees, according to the last census report, over one hundred thou- sand people from twenty-two counties of the state. To correct these discriminations against the farm and home owners of Pennsylvania, respectfully that the state either assume a larger proportion of the cost of the local governments or give the local govern- ments authority to tax personal and and corporate property in each unit of government. The state could, without any detri- ment to its own finances, remit to the counties the $10,039,375 now collected by the state from the counties. If there are not sufficient for the State Government do this, an additional tax of one mill could be placed on the capital stock of all cor- personal property, 8 mills on gross receipts of we insist revenues to tat pus, porations, loans, gross recei wholesale and retail mercantile busi- which would raise the following amounts : ness, mines, oil and gas wells From the capital stock of corpora- $1697 508 ORNS... ora saare. v i tions at mill... From From gross i From tax on personal property From mercantiie b receipts, 8 4 Winess on gross SEES cr ssmei ressinins From wholesale t el pla, URiLDoss On KI ® EGS... From coal, bituminous, gross receipts From mils petroleum, $ 11 151 146 This would raise $11,151,146.00 ad- revenues from under-taxed. numerous ditional subjects that are now Besides, there are other subjects from which additional might derived, such as manufacturing com- By such a revision of the pol- icy of State taxation, revenues could be raised to relieve real estate from the unjust burdens of tax- ation ; by the State paying the mini- mum wages of the public school teach- ers for the minimum term ; and by ap- revenues be panies. sufficient +h wu propriating a mimimum sum per mile 1 the counties and townships for roads 4 purposes, equal hundred per cent. of the road taxes collected in each township, limiting the amount to $25 per mile and relieve the counties and townships of the partnership business in constructing state roads. Let the gtate assume with the aid of the nation- al government the entire construction of interstate and intercounty roads, and thus equalizing the burden of taxation between real estate, personal and dor- porate property. If the state would adjust these in- equalities and treat the agricultural class with justice and equity, farmers would be contented with their vocation and Pennsylvania would have more prosperous and happy agricultural com- munities which are the main-stay of the prosperity of the Commonwealth, In proof of the correctness of the foregoing statements we herewith sub- mit a tabulated statement, drawn from the official reports of the State Govern- ment. [£4] one Respectfully submitted, WM. T. CREASY, LEONARD RHONE, I. FRANK CHANDLER, WILLIAM ARMSTRONG, CHARLES DILDINE, JEROME L. AILMAN, Legislative Com. Penna. State Grange. Williamsport Commoercial Qollege, Bpring term begins April 15th. New classes in all studies. Start then and you will be ready for a position this fail. We have received one-hun- dred and twenty-five calls for stenogra- phers, bookkeepers and office help this year. Write for catalogue and free trial lessons in bookkeeping and shorthand. Business scholarship $50 00. Bhorthand scholarship $40 00, We oan increase your salary. F. F. HEALEY, Proprietor. ——— A AP STATS “The Fifteenth of January ”’ will come on March 26, in Boalsburg, PUBLIC BALES, All Live Stoc « Belling at Big Prices— Sum ming up of the Ulerk’s Sheets. The sale season for 1913 ie pretty well over, and the season has been in the seller's favor, There were many sales throughout the county, but P:ans Valley fell short of its quota, while Brush Valley held its own, and Nittany Valley led off with a number far above the average for that section of the county. The sales were all well attended, bidding was spirited, and the cash payments indicate that farmers, at least many of them, have ready money, Live stock of all kinds sold at high prices, cows selling higher than during any sale season for many years. Horses also continue to sell at over $200 for sound animals that are young and heavy enough for all kinds of farm work. The 1350 to 1500 horses sold at over $250, many of them reach- ing nearly $300. These were the ani- mals most desired, and sold the quick- est, The summing up of the clerk sheets indicate that the sum total of all sales in Centre county foot up many thou- sands of dollars. Below is a partial list of the large soles on the south side of Centre county, and the amount of rersonal property sold at each : Charles W, Weaver, Centre Hall................0 4050 Raymond and Kidder, Linden Hall Jeff M. Heckman, Spring Mills J. C. Goodhart, Centre Hall 8 W. Smith, Centre Hall... cvinnn Mrs, Amand Thomas J Henry Mark, Mi f, Aare Chas, Wolf slroyor slover Ammon I Horner-Barehfisid, John Horoer and Marian M. Barch- field were married at the brides home, near Tusseyville, Thureday evening, of iast week at 8 o'clock by Rev. W. A. McClellan, of Conyngham. After the ceremony a wedding sup- per was served to about fifty relatives present. Some beautifal gifts were presented to the young couple and many good wishes expressed. Those present from a distance were Mr. and Mrs, J. H. Jacobs, of Boalsburg; and W. R. Burchfleld and Miss Olivetta Gummo, Lock Haven, the latter being attendants of the bride and groom ; Fred Colyer and Mise Lydia, Miss Esther Knarr, Millheim, fs Mp Deaths of Uesntre Coubtisne, Mrs. Busan A. Nolan, of Curtin, aged eighty-three years, Mrs, Mary Etta Fields, wife of John Fields, at Gatesburg, sged about sixty years, Mra. John Flack, at McCoy's Works, aged sixty-five years, A fp SS Will You Change Your Address 7 If you are a subscriber to the Centre Reporter and have or intend changing your address by April 1st, please advise this office at once. Do not wait until you have made the change, but inform us in advance, Pine Grove Miils Harry Sunday transacted business in Bellefonte on Baturday. Himon Ward returned on Baturday from a business trip to Buflalo, Miss Maude Rudy spent several days Inst week with her parents, at McElevys Fort. Miss Ida Edminson, of Pittsburg, is visiting at the Weaver home on Main Street, Bamuel Foss, of Reading, Sunday with his parents, Mr, Mra. William Fes, Miss Rebecca Meyers and Miss Anpa Krebs were among the busy Easter shoppers at Btate College on Haturday. i fp fs. GOOD WAY TO DO BUSINESS, spent and Marray & Bitoer Sell Hellables Hemedy at Hai Price sod Guarantee a Oare, When one can buy gold dollars for fifty cants it is a good time to pur- chase, In ordering a 50¢ bottle of Dr. How- ard’s celebrated specific for the cure of constipation and dyspepsia st 25 cents, Murray & Bitner are giving one of the greatest trade chances ever offered to the people of Centre Hall, If food does not digest well if there is gas or pain in the stomach, if the tongue is coated and the breath bad, if there Is constipation and straining Dr. Howard's specific will cure you' If it does not, you have druggist Murray & Bitner personal guarantee to return your money. Dr. Howard's specific gives quick relief add makes permanent cures of constipation, dyspepsia and all liver troubles, These are strong statements, but Murray & Bitoer are giving their customers a chance to prove their truth at just half the regular price— sixty doses for 25 cents. If they are not found true, all you have to do is to ask for your money, Laundry will go out from this of- fice next Wedoesday. LEOTURE COURSE FOR 1913-1014, Central Lyceum Bureau Agsin Fuarnishes Material for Next Seagon. The Centre Hall Lecture Course Jommittes contracted with John 8 Arnold, of the Central Lyceum Bau- reau, at Harrisburg, for five attrac. tions for the 1918-1914 course. The stipulated sum to be paid is $215, the same as last year. Mr. Arnold, who in the past dealt so fairly and liberally with the committee, assured them that the course was the strongest yet purchased. The lecturers are recom- mended to be better than soy past, and the musical combinations ns good as any in the bureau. Unless changes are announced later the course will run thus: Benator Klmer J. Burkett, of Neb- raska, The Original Birollers ( male quar. tette. ) Charles C. Wilson, Leigh-Bmith Company. (Vocal and instumental music ; three ladies and a gentleman.) Harry Bowser, Each attraction is highly recom mended by the press. Bensator Bur kett is well known as a public man and held a eeat in the United Blates Benate. The Strollers are a combi nation that will give a large variety ol music—vocal, bells, violin, trombone, aud one of the numbers ls a reader, Mr. Wilson is especially highly rec- ommended as a lecturer and ranks with Piatt, Glenn and Lee. The Leigh-Bmith Company is strong musical A whistler, pianist, violinist, soloist, harpist, and a reader of high And Dr. Bowser needs no recommendation. 4 ¢ymbination CiRRS, As UNION FARTIALLY DRY Five of Elaven Ligaor License Applications Refused The Lelsh Oat of Business, istillery Union county licens: court had a sensational termination Sa'urdsy eve ning when Judge Alvert Johnson announced that six licenses were granted and five refused, reducing the oumber of licenses in the county, in- cluding a distillery, from nine to six, Licenses were granted to the Baker House, Lewisburg; Cameron House, Lewisburg, and hotels at Winfield, New Berlin, West Milton and Laurel- ton. Licenses were refused for the Uplon Hotel, Lewisburg, snd hotels at Glen Iron, Allenwood, Mifflinburg and the Relish distillery. License was refused for the Relish distillery, which bas been in operation for more than a century, because of testimony offered by a former district attorney, David Glover, that Relish had sold whisky at retail to men of kKpown lotemperate habits. License was refused the Allenwood Hotel, be. cause the landiord permitted men to imbibe a case of beer iu the hotel barn on a Bunday which they bought the day previous, MiMlinburg, the town that was made dry a year ago, was refased on the ground that the town has prosper- ed more without license than it did when botels were licensed, The tem- perance forces have taken over one of the two hotel buildings, and it is their plan to remodel and re-<cquip and con- duct an uptodate temperance house, - a Woodward. The concert held Baturdsy night wea quite a success, J. B. Ard and Harris Stover pur- chased new automobiles, Charles and Roy Musser were Millheim Baturday forenoon, A. C, Blifer spent several days last week in Pittsburgh, Wm. Lingle who is employed Yeagertown is visiting his family. L. L. Weaver's entertained Mr, Stover and family, of Aarousburg, on Sunday. Mrs. Roy Hez2l, of Cincinnati, Ohlo, Is visiting her grandparents, Mr, and Mrs. Andrew Moyer, Prof. and Mrs. Drum, and Prof, and Mrs, George, of Lewisburg, spent several days in town. Mrs. Wilson Ard and baby Ray- mond, of Aaronsburg, are visiting sat the home of Dr. W. P, Ard, Mr, and Mrs. A. B. Meyer and Mr, and Mrs, Kerstetter, of Coburn, spent the Sabbath with friends in town. Mies Mary, only daughter of Mr, snd Mre, F. D. Boyder, died at her home Friday morning at 3 o'clock. The cause of her death was tubercu- losis. Her age was twenty-two years, and six months. Bhe is survived by her parents and the following broth- ers, Calvino and George, from Wiscon- sin, Clayton, Robert and Porter, Bufl. alo, N. Y,, Fred and Freeman at home, The funeral took place Wed- nesday forenoon. Berviges were held in the Evangelical church, Rev. Donat the Reformed minister officiating, ae sisted by Rev. Dice, Ss MI MS Ralph Bitner and Gross Allison, students at Pennaylvania State Col- leg, are home for the Eseter vacation, to at 1913. THE LEGISLATURE, The "awe that Have Been Vassed, and O hers lu Various Stages In House sad Hennte, The Benate passed finally the follow- fag bills Providing that when the judges of any jadicial district are absent or io- cspacitated application msy bs made toa law judge in an adjrining district and the proper order made or rule or decree jsrued, Prohibiting the farnishing by gift, | ale or otherwise of cigarettes or cigar- | elle paper Lo minors, requiiiog minors to divuige where from whom cigarettes or cigaretie papers have been obtained, and Proposing an amendment to the borough, to #nships, school districte, or other municipalities or incorporated districts to increase their indebted ness Regulating appeals from tax and i other public accounts and settlements of the fiecal officers of the state, House bille permitting wholesale | aud retail liquor dealers to keep such licensed place of business open during the pendency of any spplication for transfer of license, amendment to constitution increasing the term of bound thirty to years, Proposing an the Hit issues from fifty Prohibiting unnsturalizad ers from fishing or killing fish, House biil providing for the further protection of elk. foreign- Ei Minstrels Give Plessiog Eutertsinment The Millheim Minstrel Club gave a it of | very | Grange Arcadia, Inet week. { and good order creditable entertainment Thursday night The house was well filled prevailed The | upwards of forty dollars. The program was rendered in parts, the first consisting chiefly taroughout procee is | the performance, Were two ol solos and choruses, and a flood of jokes and answers to conundrums put st t the end men, Frank and Springer, by the interlocutor, B. M. Btover. The sing- ing in this part of the program was good and the sudience was kept in a state of continued uproar by the good work of the end men. Part two con. #peciaitiss, by Mr, Royer, and a clasay stump speech, “Or apy other man,” by Tom Frank, Mr. Frank showed marked ability in the rendition of his topic, and that he was the best coon on the stage was the consensus of opinior. This is ssid without detracting from the splendid work of Spriager, Wilcox. The company was made up eisted of guitar (i. Musser and of the following : Mewrs. Stover, manager ; (i. Bpringer, Wilcox, Frank, Musser, Duck, Royer, Behreckengast, Kessler, W. Bprioger, and Smith, The pianists were Misses Gutelius, Musser and Shelten. Se — A —— Tw: Dwell ngs Barn The home of Mrs. Mary Newman, in Boggs township, was entirely destroy- ed by fire. Her lose is & 900 with {600 insurance, Another house to burn was that of Alfred Peters, of Dix Run, ia Union township. Mrs. Peters made a narrow escape with ber life, as she and her children were obliged to flae in their night clothing. It is presumed the house took fire from a smoke house. There was in- surance in the sum of $800, oi mt— Spring Normal School, A Bpring Normal Bchool will be opened at Tusseyvills on April 2ist, and continue for eight weeks, Prep- aration of teachers for examination will be one line of work also work leading to entrance to higher schools, Two grades of classes will be conduct. ed in all common school branches, For terms and further particulars and information address, W.R Jones A.B, Centre Hall, Pa. Box 146 St.pd. I Ms A i S—— Transier of Heal Ks e. Jacob B. Bame to J. MM. Btover, tract of land in Asronsburg. $507, Fietta Krumrine et bar to C, M. Bierly, tract of land in Miles twp. $1125.44. Susan Harter’'s exrs to Moses Wal ters, tract of land in Marion twp. $750. Joseph J. Rhoads et al to A, GG. Morris, tract of land in Bellefonte. $8500 Z. tract of Iand in Aarousburg. $500, Cora R. Pierce et bar to Cornelius Musser, tract of land in Biate College. $500. David C. Hall to William C. Emin higer, tract of land in Union twp. $5000. . Abraham Watson et ux to Pearl Shank, tract of land in Boggs twp. $110, bill which prohibits the sale of ottes in this state after July 1, 1014, 4 «) NO. 1 TOWN AND COUNTY NEWS, HAPPENINGS OF LOCAL INTEREST FROM ALL PARTS Mre, H. J. Lambert has recovered from two weeks’ iliness with grip, Mre. Lucy Henney went to Philadel. phia Monday morning on business and pleasure, Mre, W, B. Mingle returned Philadelphia the latter part of week, and opened her home here K. Focht has been appointed a member of the water supply commission in Pennsyl- vania, at $3000 a year, 2 Pe. from Inst Former Congressman B. Charles B, Bheasly retired from the merchandise firm of Bheasly & Gent. z+1, at Btate College, and has been suc- ceeded by John Hubler, Guy Jacobs came home from York the latter part of last week, and was at the home of his mother, Mrs, Lizzie Jacobs, in Centre Hall, for a few days. Misses Mabel Stover and Inez Bart. ly, of Bellefonte, were guests of Miss Helen Luse, in Centre Hall, for a few days, day. They returned home on Mon- The Bellefonte borough shows a net statement indebtedness of $64 904 and a bonded indebtedness of $104 000, [be nssessed valuation in that borough in $1.672 305 "1 who Centre Hail a+ her abode, announces her in- J. 2 3 ue Eyes, names ention, in a Philadelphia newspaper, to wed in April apd seks what would in the way of dress, Blue be becoming Now who is Eves" Mr. and Mra. John B. Baumgardner, noved onto their Lyeomiog last fall, { farming, haviog disposad of figure. It is rumored that they will return to State College. wi O farm Dear Oriole county, have quai their land at a good The following residents of Millheim sutoed to Cen're Hall Thursday night and witnessed the Landlord Shawver, Misses Trixie Shawver, Alice Zimmerman, Helen Colyer, Badie Miller, Irene Watkins and Mable Auman, I. W. Emery, of Maz:pps, was a visitor at the bome of his brother, C. minstrel show : F. Emery, in Centre Hall, returning bome on Baturday. He had been en- gaged in the mercantile business, but recently sold his storeand will turn to farming, sud will locate at Cowan, W. R. Jones, son of Rev, R. KR. Jones, was at the home of his parents for a few days last week, Mr. Jones is a public school tescher in Benner township, and at the close of the tearm will open a spring normal school at Tusseyville for preparing students for higher schools or to qualify for teachers examinations, Hee bis ad. io this . W. Mingle came up from Wilkes Barre the latter part of last week and remained bere until Mon- day. On Friday Mrs. Mingle will make sale of personal property and a few days later will join her husband in their new home. Mr. Miogle is very much pleased with his position, and relates that the company is doing an extensive business, f There was spirited bidding on horses and cows at the sale held in Centre Hall by 8. W. Bmith., The first horse sold for $289, being the highest figures paid for horses flesh at any sale this spring, and was purchased by a Clear- field man, The animal was rising four years old, and western bred. A four year old chunk sold for $202. Cows sold readily, the best one being knocked off at $80. Everything put on the block was sold. The horses and colts sold for §111250, and the cows for nearly $500, The Gszette mentions these sales of real estate in Bellefonte: J. Thomas Mitchell, Eeq , sold his property on East Linn street to Edmund Blanch- ard, the coosideration being $3,000. Mr, and Mrs. Blanchard will be given possession May 1st, and will make that their future home, Donald Potter purchased the Charles McCafferty residence in North Spring street, now occupied by Mrs. Rachael Harris, and will occupy the same. The considera. tion mentioned was $3,500, It is geperally regretted that the time limit in vogue in the United Evangelical church obliged the ree moval of Rev. 8, A. Bayder from the local fleld, He proved a useful man in many ways, and was highly re garded by church people of all de pominstions, Mrs. Buyder will also be missed very much in various societies that have become active locally during the past four years, Rev, Snyder went to his new fleld on Saturday afternoon, and Wednesday Mrs. Snyder and the children went to their new home in Middleburg. The successor here as pastor of the Centre Hall charge is Rev, ¥. H. Foss, who with his family came here last week, and Bunday the minister filled the regular sppolotments, and greatly pleased the members of the church, | aud Mrs. gage, {ross
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