Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1899-09-20
PROGRESS ON THE COAST.
Puget Sound Industries, Olympia and
the State Board of Equalization
: as Viewed by Auditor Kennedy.

County Auditor Geo. Kennedy and
family returned from Olympia Tues
day morning. Mrs. Kennedy has been
visiting her parents the past month,
while Mr.. Kennedy went over about
a week ago to attend the State Board
OF Equalization and enjoy a few days
vacation.
Mr.. Kennedy says Olympia is pros
porous, old citizens there claimin G
that her financial condition today is
as good or better than at any time in
her past history.
The oyster aud clam industry brings
in $4,000 a month; three saw mills
are running full blast, turning out
10000 feet day; one shingle mill
puts oft 10000 shingles day; a
new sash and door factory will replace
the old one next year; Black Hills
logging company has agreed to float
go, 600 feet Of logs day at Olympia
for the next ten years; other logging
companies southwest OF Olympia are
shipping logs to tie city; Bucoda coal
companies are" reported, TO have dis
covered coal 20 per cent. carbon,
which beats the record in the North
west, while the company is organic
ing for work and will probably ship
via Olympia; large new machine
shop is being erected in the city; u
creamery with capacity OF 1000
pounds OF butter per day is in opera
ton; a new bank is established and a
new hotel opened for use; the fruit
industry is receiving an extensive
impetus; new residences are being
built, old ones are occupied and rents
are higher; work is plentiful and
everybody is busy; the Port Townsend
& Southern railroad will be extended
to Port Townsend and canal from
Olympia to Gray's Harbor is being
agitated. The prospects are good all
along and the predictions are that the
next election will be a walkover for
the republican party.
As to the State Board OF Equaliza-
ton, there is net much change from
last years equalization as regards this
county. Cattle this year were not
classified, being put at $40 in all
counties, - higher in this county
than last year. Our land was placed
at $l.25 per acre instead, OF $I,20 last
year. The question OF railroad valua-
ton is the most troublesome and pro-
duces a great injustice on farmers
and merchants. "A majority OF the
counties have equalized railroad right
of way at from one-half to two-thirds
of the states valuation. Our valua-
ton of railroad property consequently
was doubled, and iaasmuch' as taxes
are collected on tfe t9upty's yatia-
ton and inasmuch rs The railroad
property in this county is about one
sixth of the total in this count y, the
farmers and the merchants, by the
action OF the board, have to pay taxes
on the greater part OF 1903, 1872, which
the state has added to dur valuation
on account OF railroad property, only
one-sixth of which can be collected
from railroad because of the county's
lower valuation OF railroad property
than the states.
The State Board says we were warn
ed and will have to stand it, stating
that they catch the railroad while
:. @ do not. The states populisi
constituency made settlement with the
railroad for taxes and assessment Mt q
great reduction while the State Board
!usurps legislative powers SO far as the
counties are concerned raises the val
uation and the producer and merchant
pays the tax. 1t is II great scheme to
catch the railroad but Under the cir
cumstances catches everything else
but the railroad. The State Board
opens up for business by finding
Uncle Sam guilty OF heinous crimes
against liberty in the PHILIPPINES and
OF annnihilation Of the constitution
ut home. 1t closes with a parody as
is seen by its attempt to justify itself
in the press. -
Our roll account fnu the year. 1897
was settled up with the state at $RS2 q
due the state. Out of this aihount
could be dednctep about $9C
rebate. also cancellations and double
assessments but the state cannot
allow us anything for such and con
sequentIy j will have to be paid. Also
of this amount there-wHs-$5f75 pen
taIty and interest wlhch@lfad nots beer
sentin. From these facts thee tota
roll uncollected due the state is pbou,
500, but not being allowed any rebates
and double assessments the amount