Omaha daily bee., 1905-07-30
FIGURES ON LAND VALUES
Governor Mickey Makes Some Oomputs-
tions from Assessors Returns
LANCASTER MAKES FIGHT ON DOUGLAS
Determined Effort TO Ne Made 60 Sc
cure Increase in Farm Lands
ana Observation-Disclosures
in school Children.
ANcAsTER MAKES FIGHT on DOUGLAS
From q stan correspondent.l

LINCOLN. July 29.-(SpeciaL THE State
Board OF Equalization met for short
time this afternoon TO talk over the sit
uation, but because OF the absence of
Auditor searle and Land Commissioner
Eaton nothing was done, and even the
Hamilton county real estate assessment re-
manned untouched Governor Mickey spent
the morning preparing a state map by in
sorting figures showing the average real
estate assessment OF each county. This
indicated an average of close to s13 an
acre for Douglas county against tS.925
for Lancaster as equalized. Governor
Mickey stated that he believed the Doug
las county real estate assessment is about
right.
Notwithstanding that declaration, there
has been some talk of Lancaster county
protest to secure an increase in the Doug
las county real estate. II, is claimed in be-
half OF such an idea that Lancaster, county
spreads over greater area and has much
poor land, although it is admitted that
the presence Of Omaha on the other hand
in one end of the county. does not have
the effect of increasing land values in the
west end Of Douglas county.
Information coming from the precincts
OF the board indicates an unmistakable
sentiment for a heavy increase In the as
sessment Of Douglas county merchandise,
although II is admitted that there must
be clear cut evidence Of under-assessment
before any action can be taken. The at
tftude OF the members of the board is
largely due to the agitation among Lin
coin business men. who will redouble their
efforts since the board found 1t necessary
20 impose a per cent increase on the real
estate of this county.
Secretary of State Galusha has volun-
teered to secure the ratings of CONNER
cial agencies by which to check mercan-
disc assessments The confidence of some
of the members of the board in this method
of checking assessments is on the wane,
since they have learned of the difficulty
in untanglng the merchandise holdings OF
persons from their other property, when
they are rated by these agencies.
Want to Test Primary Law.
Supreme Court Clerk Lindsay has re-
ceived a letter from j. P. Roe of Omaha,
secretary of the socialist committee, ask
ing when the supreme court can take up
the test of the Douglas county primary
law, which they intend TO institute should
the county clerk refuse to recognize their
county convention nominations, which are
TO be made August l.
Commutes Sentence of Fink.
Governor Mickey announced today that
he had committed the six months peniten-
tiary sentence imposed on Harry d. Fink
OF Douglas county to six months In Jail.
The action was taken at the request of
Judge Redick the trial judge, and on the
advice OF Deputy Attorney General Thomp-
son. who rendered an opinion that the
young man was tried and sentenced under
the wrong statute and should In the first
Instance haze been sent to jail. Fink was
convicted on five different counts of having
eul1 raj xva he ted
today that he felt that the man had been
suilty Ct embezzlement and not of forgery.
lilo said that the Sly months in jail will be
ample to cover the various offenses.
Incrense in school Census.
State Superintendent McBrien stated to-
day that he believes there will be an in
crease In the school census of the state
from $4,000 to $4,000 for the year ending
in July
senator Good IL n Candidate.
Following visit of Senator Good of Ne
maha county TO the state house today, Il
was announced by his friends that he woulC
probably be a candidate for the state treas
urership to succeed Mortensen.
Reducing Number of ParOIed Men.
Warden A. d. Beemer stated today tina
there are twenty-eight convicts out OF
parole at the present time. week ago 4
was reported that there were thirty-three
The official processes to have the utmos
confidence in the system. He stated tina
the percentage of men allowed such priv
iieges is much less than in Iowa, wher
from one-third to one-half Of the convict
are paroled.
VIII Make Test Case.
The officials OF the State university ar
considering the advisability OF framing
test case TO determine whether an appropri
alton lapses when there is bona fide con
tract In existence calling for the expend
ture OF the entire amount. The questio
arises in connection with the constructio
of the new administration building 10
which the legislature of 1908 appropriate
S85 900. The work has just been starte
and the lapse in the appropriation take
place August 81. II Is proposed to max
a demand on the auditor and. upon his n
fusal to allow the claims. to institute maj
damus proceedings.
Did Not Want 20 Protest.
Governor Mickey has received lette
from a Falls City minister stating that
signed a petition for the governors intel
ference to secure the enforcement OF II
laws against gambling under a misappr'
hension as TO the actual facts. He say
that he wishes to withdraw his name an