PROBLEMS OF TAX BURDEN 293

interstate comparisons of corporation tax burdens has been
developed. The general property tax constitutes the largest
part of the combined state and local tax burden on manufacturing
 plants, with the probable exception of very profitable
corporations in states with fairly high income tax rates.
For the purpose of determining the general property tax
burden, the only satisfactory approach would seem to be an
engineering appraisal of a large number of manufacturing
plants in the states which it is desired to compare and a comparison
 of the valuations obtained with the assessed valuations
 and tax rates. Investigation of this kind would no
doubt show that the variation in assessments for the general
property tax in most states would be considerably greater
than the variations among state averages. Even though an
investigation of this kind should be made, it does not follow
that absolute comparisons could be made. In the first
place, an appraisal by a competent staff of engineers is subject
 to some margin of error. Furthermore, the results
obtained would be for manufacturing plants in general and
not for those engaged in manufacturing a particular kind of
product. Before definite conclusions could be reached, the
comparisons of the general property tax burden would have
to be made on the basis of industries that are in more or less
direct competition with each other. For example, a comparison
 of the general property tax burden on all corporations
in St. Louis might indicate a smaller burden on the average
than inacityinan adjoiningstate. Such a conclusion would not
be very significant unless it could be shown that manufacturing
 corporations in the other city were engaged in the production
 of commodities comparable to those which are produced
in St. Louis. On the other hand, if the burden on corporations
 manufacturing a specific product in St. Louis were
found to be larger than on a plant manufacturing the same
product in a city in another state. such a conclusion would
be of real value.
In determining the total tax burden on corporations it
would be necessary to include other forms of taxes. These
taxes could be easily determined for a corporation with a
given capital set-up and a given net income from operations.
Usually, however, the general property tax would comprise