Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 4.djvu/512

492 foreclosures agree in this respect. They show a much higher relative assessment for the lands sold for small amounts than for those disposed of for larger ones. The different classes, or groups, from the least valuable to the most valuable, form a more or less regular series. The tracts of land sold by warranty deeds for amounts less than $500 were assessed for 65.91 per cent. of the selling value, while those for amounts over $10,000 were assessed relatively only 45 per cent. as much, or for 29.66 per cent. The average assessment of all lands sold by warranty deeds was 39.40 per cent. of the selling price. The tracts selling for less than $500 were, therefore, forced to pay relatively 1.67 for every 75 cents paid by the owners of the land sold in amounts over $10,000, and where each should pay one dollar. The lands selling for less than the average amount of all sales were assessed at 47.87 per cent. of the selling price, while those selling for amounts above the average were assessed only 35.64 per cent. The former were assessed relatively 34 per cent. more than the latter. Here is a greater relative over-assessment of the poorer and a more unjust under-assessment of the richer owners of realty than has been disclosed by any similar tax study in the United States. Before explaining the origin of the vicious system of assessment which works this practical injustice, the reader's attention is first directed to the figures showing the relative assessment of unimproved lands, or lands having upon them no valuable buildings to attract the notice of the assessors.

Of sales by warranty deeds of unimproved acres in the rural counties there were tabulated in the report 8,200, conveying 796,591 acres, for a stated consideration of $11,377,525. The average consideration was approximately $1,500. There were 5,693 sales for sums below this average and 2,507 for amounts above it. Of corresponding sales by mortgage foreclosures there were 644, conveying 90,984 acres, with amounts of sheriff's certificates making a total of $651,857. The average for each sale was about $1,000. There were 452 sales for amounts below this average and 182 for amounts above it.

The percentages for assessment for the sales by warranty deeds of unimproved acres make a series, the highest being for