Weekly Arizona journal-miner., 1905-08-30
SMEL TER PROJECTS STIMULI ATE MINING ACTIVITY

! In a few instances, the taxpayer | laughed when told what the increase
 would be, and declared that if he had known that it would amount to so little i he would have remained at home and allowed the board to tack on the amount without protest.
 Several of the prominent business houses that had been cited were repre- sented before the board yesterday. No one place of business thus heard from left the meeting without some sort of fight to prevent an increase; in most cases trying to compromise on lighter basis. One merchant, whose stock had been increased to the extent of $2,000, made hard fight to escape this raise, but he seemed out of tune with the board, and did no good for himself.
 He declared that his stock in trade was much smaller than the year before, but this did not appeal to the astute supervisors. Then he changed his argument, saying that he had fully one half as less stock than that of some other certain firm, yet had been increas- ed much more heavily in proportion. This argument was likewise fruitless, and when he at last discovered that he could make no money by talking he wounded the feelings of the supervis- ors by swearing that he would never pay another years tax in Yavapai county. As it is generally known that he has expected to discontinue business here, this last threat passed for joke.
 A realty agent from Jerome was in attendance to protest against certain of the citations sent to property own CTS in the copper city. He made bold bid for preventing the increases that had been proposed, but when all was said he found the board a solid three against any reduction. From the fact that he had taken a part in the work of assessing the property, part of which was found to have been estimat- ed too low, his appeal met with rather a cold reception among the supervisors. Like all others of the good people of Jerome he did his best to win out, but fully an hours hard talk convinced him that he was decidedly in the min ority. The Jerome assessments that were found based upon under valua- tion were in nearly all cases adjusted by placing them at the same figure as was given in the year previous.
 Frank L. Wright, of the telephone company, appeared before the board, and pointed out where some slight reductions would be fair. and where other properties would justify an in- crease. MT. Wright heartily indOrsed the policy of the board in raising the assessments, stating that as long as the increase was uniform in it's appli- cation to all taxpayers, that he would eheerfully bear his share of the burden
 A few of the heavier taxpayers who have not yet made appearance in re- sponse to their respective citations will likely be heard from today, or possibly tomorrow. It is expected that with the excellent progress thus far made in disposing of the work of equalization, the board will succeed in cleaning up their annual assessment work without being hurried, and with out having to call any night sessions.
 It is the hope that with the tax in- come of this year the eounty's financial affairs can be so managed as to lead to reduction in the rate next year. Members of the board believe this will surely prove true, and among some of those cited for a raise this expla- nation was all the argument needed to stop their opposition to the increase placed on the list against them
 Among the prominent visitors Con business) at yesterdays meeting was Dr. Perrin, of Baca grant fame, and one or the heavy property owners in the southwest. He laid his case before the board as to the proposed increase 'n his Baea grant, consisting of near y 100000 acres, showing the many 'easons for keeping down the tax ex- 'ense on this big tract. After all had 'een said. he was told that the board would take the matter under advise nent.
 At 9 o'clock this morning the eoual- zers will go into daily session, and un- ess the United Verde ease comes up or hearing. the time will be largely evoted to the disposition of citations mong the smaller property owners.