Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-10-27

alton Is a partnership matter between
the citizens and the public. 1t is the
duty of man not only to see that a
fair value is placed on his holdings,
but on his neighbors' property as we'll,
and thus lend assistance to the Asses
sor and the county board in doing jus.
tice between man and man.
Timber land syndicates play
cinching hand four aces); it is diff.
cult matter to uncover the fifth card
neighbors should assist the Assessor in
this respect.
Mr.. yesterday was in favor OF ex-
empting money and credits, except
real estate, mortgages and bank
stock. The plan OF taxing money and
credits generally had failed in every
State in the Union for many years.
This system induced fraud and perjury,
debauched the morality OF citizens,
had tendency to make criminals out
of their descendants. On a question
raised by Mr.. Robt. Aver, the speaker
admitted the taxation of real estate,
mortgages and also the land is a spe-
cies OF double taxation which cannot
we'll be avoided, without producing
complications in the same manner as
buying cattle and horses on credit.
The Tax Commission had added FIVE
million dollars to the tax rolls of the
State this year, which will be increased
to twenty million dollars next year.
Insurance companies pay on the
basis Of two per cent. of the premiums
collected, less losses sustained. This
is wrong; this item of losses ought to
be eliminated. This is u co-partner-
ship deal between the State and com.
panies in the matter OF sharing profits
and losses. The State does not enter
into such deals with the taxpayers
generally. Why should this discrimi-
nation be made in favor OF insurance
companiesi
According to the last report Of the
interstate railroad commission, rail-
road property in this State is taxed on
the fifteen per cent. basis OF its actual
value The speaker MAS asked the
question, if he thought it was right
that the ordinary citizen should be
taxed on the fifty per cent. or full val.
uation basis, and railroad holdings
taxed at fifteen per cent. OF their true
value? He replied, Most certainly
not"
Mr.. yesterday said the State had
kept on deposit for years million OF
dollars in money; this county fifty
thousand and the city of Olympia ten
thousand dollars. This money, under
the present law, does not draw any
interest. He thought the law ought
to be chenged so that it would draw 3
per cent. interest annually. Estimat-
ing interest on State funds for ten
years amounts to the enormous sum
OF $500, 900, which would make an i'm
portant item in the matter OF reducing
the States expenses and afford SUBJ
stantial relief to the taxpayers. Sim.
ilarly with regard TO county and city
funds kept continuously on deposit, on
which interest may be readily reck-
oned.
At the conclusion Of the address,
the sneaker was rendered q vote OF
thanks.
Byron Millett, the Secretary pro
tenn, was requested TO secure speaker
for the next meeting. The league
adjourned to meet at the same place
in two weeks, Saturday, November 4th,
at l 80 in the afternoon.
The proceedings of this meeting
created q very favorable impression.
After adjournment some OF the listen
ers remarked that these meetings al
forded favorable opportunities for gain
ing accurate information regarding
our revenue system and ought to be
more generally attended. We say,
GOOD for Joe; let US hear from him
further. He is all right
The Upper classmen of the Alpha
Sigma fraternity, at the University OF
Michigan, have decided to allow their
own physical organizations to DO
made the medium for testing animal,
vegetable aud metallic poisons. 1t is
proposed to administer deadly poisons
in such minute quantities that the
effect will not be fatal and watch theil
effects 40 as to obtain absolute knowl'
edge of the nature OF the poison.