Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-01-27

FIX VALUES
At Their Annual Meeting in Great
Falls They Make Some Changes
In Valuations.
SHEEP TWO DOLLARS PER HEAD
Cattle Valued at Five Dollars Per
Head Less Than Last Year
Other Important Business.

Great Falls, Jan. 2l.-Yesterday's
session of the annual meeting Of the
county assessors of the state was
devoted principally to the considera-
tion of stock and sheep valuations. A
number of the more prominent sheep
and cattle owners of the state ad-
dressed the meeting, urging a reduc-
tion of the assessments as made last
year.
C. II. Martien, president of the as
sociation and assessor of Lewis and
Clarke county, voicing the expression
of nearly hundred cattle and sheep
owners of the state. advocated re-
duction of stock valuation from $23,
which was the basis OF taxation last
year, to SIT. The committee recon-
mended that range cattle be assessed
at $19 per head, but compromise
was finally effected on valuation of
$1S.
The following valuations were also
adopted after considerable argument:
Range and stock cattle, $18; 2
year-olds s14; yearlings, $40; 3-year-
old steers or beef cattle, not less than
s25; milch cows, not less than $25.
Sheep, 81 per head straight, in
cluding lambs, where sheep and lambs
are punched together under one own
ership; s1.75 on lambs where the herd
consists OF lambs only.
Angora goats. $4 per head.
Horses, including range and domes-
TIC, valuation left to the direction of
the assessors.
Hogs, valuation left to the discre-
ton of assessors.
The report was adopted after some
discussion, and the valuations named
were adopted by the association.
The sheepmen asked for a reduc.
tion from the rate of last year, which
was $3.50 on sheep and 81 on lambs,
on the claim that 1t is becoming more
expensive, year by year, to run sheep
in Montana on account of the range
becoming more contracted, and for
the further reason that a great many
sheep under assessment are old and
worn out ewes, of little value from
the fact that they are unstable and
the quantity and quality Of wool pro-
duced by them does not Offset the
cost of feeding them. 1t was recon.
mended by the meeting that straight
rate of 81 per head, including lambs,
be placed on sheep.
At the afternoon session the follow.
ing resolutions, offered by William
Cave, the successor of Paul c. Wag.
nitz, as assessor of Missoula county
pertaining to the death of his prede'
cessor in office, were read and adopt
ed:
Whereas, 1t has pleased the AL.
mighty Power to have made the hand
of an assassin the instrument by
which to remove from our association
the presence OF one of its most es
teemed members, Mr.. Paul C. Wag
nitz, of Missoula county, and
Whereas, in our deliberations the
voice of the deceased was at all times
raised with enthusiasm in the inter
ests of candid fairness and equity;
therefore, be it
Resolved, That in the death Of Mr.
Wagnitz this association has lost Q
most valued member and co-worker;
be 1t further
Resolved. That we, the assessors
of the state, here assembled, extend
to the family of the deceased mem
ber their sincere sympathy and condo
lence; and, be 1t
Resolved, That a copy of these
resolutions be spread upon the min
utes OF this session, a copy be for
warded to the family OF the deceased
and that copies be furnished the
press"
At the evening session the associa
tion fixed the valuations on telegraph
and telephone lines, the proceeds o.
mines. land improvements. lumber
and coal as follows:
Western Union and railroad tele
graph, and Rocky Mountain Bell tel
ephone lines-Poles and one wire pc
mile, $50; additional wire, per mile
$40.
Postal telegraph lines-Poles ant
one iron wire per mile, s35: addition
al iron wire, per mile, $3.50. addition
al copper wire, per mile. $l5. -
Net proceeds OF mines to be assess
ed according to law, with special rec
4 IaA &ka&
pecial effort to secure full value o
improvements and machinery stu
ated under ground such as pumps
drills. piping and timbering.
The valuations of lands and In
provements on mining lands wer
left to the discretion of the assessors
The assessment OF banks, ban
stock, merchandise, electric ligh
plants, street railroads, water plant
and other personal property not oti
erwise provided for. to be in accort
ance with the reports adopted for tn
year 1903.
The valuations on lumber was pla,
ed at from IS to 81 per thousand, a,
, cording to location and proximity
market.
Clear lumber at from $40 per thou
and up. Logs at $3.50 per thousan,
Timber lands, hrst-class, Sc DC
acre; second-class, 81 per acre; thir,
class, SO per acre. The valuation {
coal was left to the discretion OF th
/ assessors.
A vote OF thanks was accorded ,
II. Campbell for invitations extende
/ to the members to visit Rainbow fal
} and other points OF interest and to Il
!. banquet to be held at the Park hot
r tonight.
Helena was selected as the city