The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-29
Board in Session to Equalize
the Assessments.
NORTHERN PACIFIC COMPLAINT.
Fight to Maintain Valuations Placed
on Its ROadbeds.
Debtors Cause Trouble at Port Towns
end-Cascade Locks Superintendent
Hungry for His 'Divy"-Trouble for
O'Brien-J udge Sachs Aroused.

Sept o. 1hC ctdtc
board of equalization, consisting OF Aud
itor Reed, Secretary OF State Weir and
Land Commissioner Forrest, convened to-
day. The task of equalizing the assess
ments of the various counties promises TO
be more than ordinarily difficult, and 1t is
certain to consume the entire session of
twenty days allowed by law. The board
Will meet daily at 10 a. m, and each day
the roll of counties will be called for COM
plants. Dates will be fixed for hearing
the representatives of counties and partic-
uiar interests.
At the call of the roll today large num-
Der OF gentlemen were present from yari-
Gus parts of the state. King county was
represented by Commissioners Gasch and
Wooding, Auditor Twichell and Attorneys
Miller and Mcbride. The grievances of
several counties were stated to the board.
Spokane asked for 20 per cent. reduction
on all but railroad assessment. King ap-
Piled for 20 per cent. reduction of its real
estate valuation. Cowiitz wanted 20 per
cent. reduction. Lincoln applied for re-
duction. Several counties have officers
here for the purpose of comparing their
assessments with others, so as to ascertain
If inequalities exist and to make COM
plants if they find that other counties
have any advantage in the returns made.
Whitman county has assessed its rail-
way roadbeds at $4,000 per mile, which is
higher than any other county's valuation,
and it has sent commissioner here to
see that the assessment is not reduced.
On the other hand the Northern Pacific
company has delegation here headed by
Tax Commissioner Fernald, of ST. Paul,
whose object is to secure reduction of its
assessment in all counties in which it has
mileage. The company will ask to have
its roadbed assessed from $4,000 to
5000 per mile to conform to as
sessments made in other states
through which its lines run. 1t is
claimed that unless a reduction is made
the question as to the power of the state to
tax the Northern Pacific roadbed under its
charter will be carried into the courts.
Wednesday, October Z, has been set
apart for hearing the arguments as to the
railroad taxation.
Banking interests will be heard on Mon
day, October 5. King county will have
special hearing on Friday.
The state assessment table is now COM
plete, the last returns having been re-
ceived today. The real estate and railroad
track assessment is $304, ,571 ,S95; personal,
So, ,2l5, 754; total. $345, 7S7, ,649. The follow
ing figures taken from personal property
returns exhibit wide difference in values.
The number of horses, mules and asses ranges
from $50 in Skamania to 13,271 in Whitman, with
an average value running from 7S in Frank
lin to S960S in Island: OF cattle, from $50 in San
Juan to %, in Whitman, averaging in value
from sll.S9 in Garfield to s33 II In Ktsap; Sheep
from one in Jefferson to 36,797 in Klickitat,
averaging from 81 - in San Juan to 81 in Jetfer-
son; hogs, from II in jefferson to
s,lSs in Whitman, averaging from sl6I
in Clarke to $3.50 in Kitsap; wagons
and carriages, from IS in Franklin TO 3675 in
Whitman, averaging from sl9.76 in Skamania
to s52.S5 in Pierce; sewing machines, from In
Skagit to 1906 in Pierce. averaging from So 4 in
Skamania to $3.50 in Skagit; watches and
clocks, from l in Whatcom to 3,7l5 in Pierce,
averaging from s6.l3 in Garfield to s29 IA in Kit
sap; melodeons, organs and pianos, from in
skamania to 1895 in Pierce, averaging from
sS2-sl in Wahkiakum TO sl660 in Whatcom
Agricultural machinery is valued at from S37O
in Jefferson to s277, ,3ls in Whitman furniture at
from s2055 in san Juan to 81 0s4 ,253 in Pierce:
gold and silver plate, iewelry and firearms from
So in Garfield to si5,745 in King; franchises and
patent rights from SIS in Cowlitz to SD. .39e in
Pierce; steamers and other boats from
SO in Kittitas to sSls,4s5 in Kltsap;
merchandise, lumber and WOOL from 81 100 in
skamania TO sls25,7H in Spokaue manu- .actur-
ing materials, tools and manufactured articles.
from 5000 in Asotin to 1865, ,iS5 in King; moneys
OF banks and brokers, from 3S65 in Jefferson TO
s3lo,1So in Whatcom; other moneys. from s5a5 in
Adams to sl76,964 in Pierce; bonds and stocks.
from $50 in Lincoln to 81 Ill in Pierce; stock
and furniture of hotels, eating houses and
saloons from $500 in Asotn to sl5S 45O in Pierce.
farm products from $50 in Wahkiakun to $50.
1S5 in Whitman; street railways. from S. in San
Juan to $4,000 in King