The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-10-07
: Woodruff Earmers, Club.


the first meeting since June and all
present seemed to take up the work
with renewed interest. Mr.. James Ben
son was invited to speak on the associa-
tion topic, Is the state tax commission
accomplishing the purposes for which it
was appointeds Yes. for it was con-
ceived in iniquity. The supervisor, as
sisted by the board of review, if he does
his work conscienti ously, surely can do
better than entire strangers. Believes
the people of the state feel that the time
has come Tor the publication of state
administration.
The politics of the state are dictated
by men devoid of principle. Mr..
Headley did not agree with Mr.. Benson.
The state tax commission was APP
pointed by Gov. Pingree to look after
the railroads and see that they pay their
Just proportion of taxes, but they have
obtained control of the commission
and manage it for their own benefit.
Mr.. Gibbs; They have placed much
property on the tax rolls, but taxes
have increased to pay them. Most farm
property has been raised beyond all
reason. 1t should have been raised
some If money and railroads are as
sessed at full value, farms should be.
Do not believe they have yet found all
the property that is concealed. The
! farmers wanted the tax commission but
they have got more than they wanted.
The question should be, how much
money is needed to pay the legitimate
expenses of the state.
Mr.. Tucker: Farmers wanted all
property in the state placed on the rolls
at its full value. The tax commission
has helped to equalize values in this
county. They have made some mis-
takes for the business was new to them.
One thing is certain there is big drain
in the public money, which should be
stopped and the tax commission is not
the only one.
Select reading, Mrs. Lake What are
young mans chances today compared
with fifty years ago? Mr.. Tucker. This
was answered by witty original poem.
Mr.. F. Allen, of Bay City, was asked
to tell us something of the Saginaw val
ley. He expressed his pleasure at meet
ing old friends and acquaintance. Sag
inaw valley is not what it was years
ago. The lumber business has passed.
Salt and coal are now principal pro-
ducts. But that does not make coal
cheaper tor residents there.
Why do we as nation hope for the
success of the Japanese in the eastern
war? Mr.. Gibbs: Can't understand
why, and don't know as we do. Russia
has been one of the best friends the U.
S. eyer had. But we do sympathize
with Japan and one reason is we feel
sympathy with the little dog in the
fight. The U. S. is afraid of Russia.
We have territory in the far east to pro-
tect. If the Japs can drive the Rus
slams back and give Manchuria back to
China, it would make quite gap be-
tween Russia's and our possessions. The
Japs are fighting well and for one I
hope they win.
Mrs Gibbs: We have read much
about the cruelty of the Russians. The
Japs are kind to their prisoners the
Russians are not.
Mr.. Benson: l believe there is mat
ter of honor there. The nation must be
neutral but personally we have a right
treaty made between Russia and Japan
in 1900, Russia agreed if Japan would
allow her to complete railroad through
Manchuria and use it until 1903. she
would then withdraw from the terri
tory. But when the time came she re.
fused to move.
Select reading, Mrs. Haggerty, Sallies
Club. The question box was conducted
by Mrs Walter Berry. Who are the
agitators of Capitalization of schools
and why? Mr.. Huffman: Delos Fall is
one of the principal ones and many
county school commissioners have, fall
en- in with him, few school boards and
a very few land owners Why? To
create more of demand for high priced
principals and teachers 1 have thought
it would be beneficial but lately have
changed my mind. Think Michigan Is
not ready for it. Union schools where
there are three or four districts with
but few pupils, might be well. Are not
farmers apt to decide questions of i'm
portance without due consideration?
AS general rule, no. Can farmers
form cooperative association? Have
in some instances and made success of
it. If they would unite and stand to-
gether they could control the prices of
their products. This is what the Ma
tional Society of Equity proposes to do.
Is the single pardoning power of the
governor for the best interest of the
people? In the last days of Governor
Pingree's administration we thought
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