The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-25


reform and rsirsnchment association. az
the chamber OF commerce. was supple
mental 10 an informal discussion OF the
subjects by members OF the various com
nlittees. at which time Ex-Mayor Phelps
gave some valuable suggestions as 70 mu-
nicipal reform along lines OF economy.
TIE regular meeting was called 70 order
by Chairman 3. T. Day and the minutes
az the previous meeting held in Gen. Met
calfe's office were read and approved.
Tnos- w. Prosch. chairman OF the COM
mittee on retrenchment stated that he was
not prepared with a written report Of the
committees dolags al the several meetings
that had been held hut that a written re-
port would be furnished within a week.
He reviewed ths several general mse<ings
OF the association a. which city, county
and school affairs had been discussed and
remarked that az each of those meetings
there had oeeu a noticeable absence of
property owners and tax payers. who we're
supposed 70 be most interested. The talk
and advice had been principally by men
VINO neither owned property or paid taxes.
Gen. Turner. chairman of the legislation
committee, semi word that he would be
unable to attend, but reported that his
COMMITTEES was awaiting suggestions on
which 10 formulate the proposed memori-
ais and resolutions.
Chairman Day reminded the meeting
that the principal purposes of the organi-
zation were being defeated by the delay
and recommended that the legislation COM
mittee be furnished with the material upon
which 10 work
T. p Carroll. as a member of the iegis-
lative committee, said that taxation and
revenue matters will soon be discussed at
olympia and urged haste in preparing the
memorials and resolutions TO be sent from
Seattle and King county. He offered as
an example of the absurdity of the present
laws. lot against which levy of cents
had been made. Before any measure TO en-
force payment was reached the cost of as
sessment, advertising and other fees ran
the account UP 10 SIS. more than il was
worth He reviewed Ex-Justice Me Ell
wains recommends lions IS 10 the abolish
ment of the municipal court and the con-
stables and urged their adoption. He said
that there must be no further delay. the
King county delegation AT Olympia is
awaiting information as TO the intentions
OF the association.
John Leary reviewed the measures of
economy proposed and said that by cut
ting out the municipal court, the con-
stables, reducing the police force TO twenty
five men and disseminating certain prac-
tically useless districts of the fire service,
a saving of $4,000 could be made.
He discussed retrsnchment in the water
department. and opposed any further econ
omy in school affairs. The lighting, by
electricity. of the city and the proposed
ownership OF the plant by the municipality
was shown TO be matter OF saving OF
from 1000 10 sl3000. The taxes now
amounting to sl,3o0eoo annually are
too burdensome, but the debts must be
paid. King county and Seattle win never
repudiate.
Or. Ramsey suggested economy In school
matters. by reducing the amount of teach
ers' service from nine TO seven months.
Pupils would have longer time 10 refresh
themselves and develop themselves physi-
cally. In speaking Of the sinecures of no.
hticsl office. DR.. Ramsey said he believed
in shaving the salaries down a 5 he would a
finger nail: as close as possible, but not
10 touch the quick. People who are hold
ing Office, IN many cases, are earning, or
rather getting twice as much as
they could earn in any other call
ing with competition. His estimate
of the worth OF a man was what
a man could do with the world against
him. He advocated pairing down the salar-
les as close TDssible, but not close
enough 10 draw blood. He repeated his
arguments in favor of a penalty for nom
payment of taxes. He said that his ad-
voeacy OF the stand In relation 10 the i'm
unpopular In the meeting that he address
ed. but that he believed in it as the only
way In which taxes could be realized upon.
After another review OF the situation by
Mr. Carroll, Thomas w. Prosch introduce
ed the following. which was referred to
the committee on legislation:
Property should be assessed at It's act
ual cash value. Taxes should become due
January I. Taxes paid in January should
be discounted / per cent: those paid in
February, per cent. those paid IN March,
per cent; those paid in April, per een,,;
Taxes should become delinquent June /,
AID thereafter interest upon eem should
be charged at the rate OF - per cent. per
anrum. There should be no penalty, no
sale; no additional costs. The county
should have a ueL upon property upon
which taxes are due that the statute Of
limitations VIII not run against. and that
cannot DO invalidated except Cor gross in
years continuous delinquency the county
hould acqui-s absolute and soc owner
shin Of the pr ,1erty
I'm opposition 10 this plan X may be
said that the county will in this way ac-
quire a vast amount OF worthless Prop
erty. In answer TO this II may be said
that II the property is worthless II should
not be taxed. and such taxation Is Illegal
under the present law
J. B. Metcalfe moved the committee On
retrenchment and legislation should meet
this 9ionday) afternoon at , o'clock. a.
whlch time Deputy Treasurer Psdden viii
show that legislation may be enacted
greatly reducing the expenses OF the coun-
~ treasurer's Office The preseat force IS
Inadequate 10 the demands made upon 81
for labor under existing avs, hpt great
deal Of unnecessary work has 10 be done
that Is the result of legislative enactment.
These matters Mr.. Padden viii explain.