The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-29

have proceeded by guess. We shou
take real estate as a whole, land and
structures together"
81 think so too" said Mr.. Peck. "The
local assessors know more than we do.
Il believe the rule applies to personal
property as well as TO real property,
said Mr.. Sprague.
County commissioners never have
been allowed to equaliZe assessments
in their own county," said Mr. Cooley.
Mr.. Lawrence has looked at the ques-
ton differently, heretofore"
Il would be a poor member of this
board, if / did not change my mind
occasionally said Mr.. Lawrence. Il
won't say anything about Mr.. Cooley's
actions at times"
The question" said Chairman Pot
ter, lis whether We shall consider the
total value of real property as equal
lied by the county boards on the value
of land exclusive of structures"
VALUE OF THE LAND FIRST.
I'VE should first consider the value
of land exclusive of structures" said
Mr. Cooley. 'sand so on to other items
which make up the aggregate"
Acre property and town lots should
be considered separately" said Mr..
Lawrence, but treated together with
land and structures.
Mr.. Gordon argued that the board
should proceed as practical business
men. After further argument it WAS
voted to take up the question of the
average value of land per acre, includ-
ing all improvements.
Il think we've put our foot in it."
said Chairman Potter.
Well, If we've put our foot in it,
WeH have to pull it out" said Mr.
Lawrence.
I'VE are getting beyond the figures
we will have to deal with" said Mr..
Fiddes
said Mr.. Haven. while the others
have been talking L find that we are
getting away ahead of the vital
points"
Mr.. Gordon moved to take up the
question of the value of lands other
than town and city lots, including
structures.
Mr.. Lawrence suggested that the two
subjects be considered together.
I'VE have no right to make law" said
Mr.. Gordon. 1--WE should consider
town lots and buildings and city lots
and buildings by themselves. That
viii be in accordance with the opinion
Of the attorney general"
1T doesn't matter how we act" said
Mr. Cooley. 1--WE shall proceed contrary
to the attorney generals opinion any
way"
Commissioner T. Johnson then went
to the rescue Of the board by moving
to take a recess until p. m.
State Auditor Dunn appeared at the
afternoon session and argued against
the punching of1Ots and acre property
in a county. 1t was an unjust method
Of taxation, he said.
The only thing we can do is to deal
with them together and recommended
the legislature to change the SYSTEM"
said Chairman Potter.
Mr.. Haven next moved to consider
the total value Of real property as
eIualized by county boards. The board
agreed to this, and began with Aitkin
county and SO on with others.
Mr.. Haven said that the city of
AnOka, in Anoka county, was over
assessed last year, and the county
board attempted this year to reduce
the taxation, but really raised it 25 per
cent. The range of value of land In
ArOka county last year was S41.69 to
81 The lOw-priced land was far
from market and was worth practically
nothing. The owners do not take the
trouble to pay taxes.
Anoka county was passed temper
arily.
Becker county has gained $4,000
acres. The average value per acre is
$2.71, which is a shrinkage from 1898.
TOstin Johnson thought it a simple
matter to raise valuations throughout
the county. Mr.. Gordon moved to
pass the county as returned. Mr.. Ha-
ven said he knew the county we'll and
there was no reason why the valua-
ton of property there should not be
raised.
Mr. Haven moved an Increase of 5
per cent in AnOka county, except
AnOka city. The motion was adopted.
Mr.. Cooley moved to raise the Valua-
of tp in Rnnlyar II,
per cent, and the board acquiesed.
PROTEST FROM WASHINGTON.
County Auditor c. H. Browne, Of
Washington county, appeared before
the board and argued against increase
in tax in that county. He said that
the principal reduction in real estate
values in Washington county came
from Saltwater, where values have fall
len.
E. D. Burlington, manager of the
Minnesota Thresher Manufacturing
company next spoke. He said in Stillwa-
ter much money had been lost because
! the Lumberman's National bank cut
down it's capital stock 100000 and for
other reasons of similar character.
He instanced a case Of a barn which
was assessed for So, 200, and he offered
to sell it to the state for 81, 900.
The offer was refused. but the val
uation of the barn was reduced to
81, 600.
City Clerk John O'shaughnessy and
City Attorney Comfort also spoke
against an increased assessment
Aid A. T. jerks said it was GER
tain that Saltwater property was val
ued much higher than it could be
sold for.
County Auditor Browne said it was
impossible to tell the value Of improve
ments under the system Of valuation
now in vogue.
The question was referred.
The board then passed to Beltrami
county. Mr.. StadvOld thought the
present valuation Of land there too
high. Some of it. he said, is assessed
for $500 He read a letter stating that
the entire land there was not worth
more than so cents an acre The writ
er, S. G. Bagley, Of A. ]. hammers &
Co, of SOlWay, wrote that his cousin
owned $4,000 acres Of land there
Chairman Potter said he did not be-
lieve Mr.. Bagley owned an acre Of
land.
IF he Does" said Mr.. Potter, I'D
like to know 1t, for he owes me some
money. He won't pay taxes anyway,
but will let the taxes accumulate five
years and then settle at a reduced fig
ure. That is the way they all do up
there"
Mr.. Stadvold moved to reduce the
valuation of Beltrami county 20 per
cent, but the board passed it as it
stood.
Benton county was next dealt with.
Mr.. Sprague moved an increase of 20
percent, except the city Of East St.
Cloud.
Big Stone cOunty's assessment was
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