Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1908-10-09
THOSE AMENDME NTS.

"Iu the November election Wash
ington electors will be called upon to
vote for or against two amendments to
the state constitution. One is an
amendment voted down two years ago
in this state which allows private
companies and persons to condemn pri-
vate property for private use.
"The other proposed amendment is
relative to the assessment and taxation
dproperty and is identical with con-
situtional amendment also to be voted
upon in November in Ohio and Mis-
souri,. The same amendment was
twice defeated in Minnesota, but was
finally approved by the voters of that
state in 1896
THE first amendment is a subject
of considerable dispute. At the
present time an owner of timber can
not condemn right of way over pri-
Vate property to enable him to get his
timber to market and it is claimed
wealthy timber men have bought key
sections which control the outlet to
vast timber tracts and thus hold up
the small timber owners who cannot
get their product to market except
across their land. Therefore it is ar
gued that the small timber men are
demanding this amendment.
On the other hand it is argued
that under the existing laws any logg-
ing railroad may condemn a right of
way across private property, that pri-
Vate timber owners do not desire to
build logging railroads and that the
amendment is being urged by big pri-
Vate logging companies so that they
may bottle up the small timber men.
Now, if they condemn private property
they can only do so as a public service
corporation, their road becomes a com
mon carrier and every timber owner
can have his logs hauled upon it at
the same reasonable rates the owners
Of the road would have to pay for
hauling their own timber, while under
'ne proposed amendment this common
carrier law would not apply.
The second amendment is designed
!" 20 away with what is now giving
"e board of equalization much con-
'efh' that is the bringing the assess
alehts of all counties of the state to
VIC same relative standard of value.
II the amendment is adopted, it
VIII enable the legislature by appro-
p'ia'e laws to separate the sources of
"e state taxation from the sources of
wal revenues, will permit a specific
VA OF certain classes of property
"nere now all property must be taxed
Ne and will allow each locality
'sSure of local option in assessment
'ua' one may have a Is per cent.
M a'uard and another a 10 per cent. if
WISH The amendment is fathered
"e state tax commission, the mem
ha VI which body claim that it has
! Ss ln0orsement of tax experts every
se.s. 1t was indorsed at the last
o,o s'On Oh the international tax con-
tvs unanimously by the representa-
yves Of 81 states.
for Instance, the constitutional
sbla ~ when adopted, would en-
nsth me state to adopt the Minnesota
ea,n, Ou and tax railroads on their
adn nps, and to make the railroads
tbs public service corporations pay all
son,s state taxes while the counties
! rbs pay only their own county tax.
soD,s amendment and subsequent law
he, ~ permit the taxing of the earn
state &c express companies just as the
sitbon,. 'ncers are trying to do now
at la~ Sucn law. Under the pres
bbs s " which requires all property
ADis. sSed alike, it is claimed COM
sasI such such can only be taxed for their
sa vb property holdings in Washing
ssyI to"a is almost nothing although
~ one million and half in