Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1908-04-25

iS VI SSil protection In the
event of the exempting law being de-
clared unconstitutional.
This advice is given in letter vol
unfairly forwarded to the commission.
In it the attorney general points out
that the superior court in Lincoln
county recently issued a peremptory
writ, at the suit of citizen, directing
the assessor to assess moneys and
credits, the court holding the exemp-
ton law repugnant to the provisions
of article of the state constitution.
The attorney general also points out
that actions are now pending in the
United States courts and in several of
the superior courts attacking the
Validity of the exemption provision
and asserting that the whole assess
ment of 1907, by reason of the exemp-
ton, is illegal and void.
An action now pending in Thurston
county to enjoint the collection of tax
es for 1907 on the stock of national
bank. one of the chief grounds urged
in support of the plaintiffs contention
being that under the federal statutes
|
taxation of the stock of national
bank cannot be more burdensome than
upon other credits in the same state.
"In view of the foregoing" says
the attorney general. cit will be read
lily seen that the situation which con-
fronts this state and every county,
municipality and school district in it
may be serious one. If the plaintiffs
are eventually to succeed in the actions
referred to above, or in a fair portion
thereof, it is fair to presume that a
large number of persons and corpora
tions will refuse to pay their taxes for
the year 1908. unless wise action is
speedily taken by the proper assess
ment and taxation officers.
Processing that he will use all
efforts to uphold the constitutionality
of all laws enacted by the legislature.
the attorney general says that he has
directed that an appeal be taken to
the supreme court of the state in the
Lincoln county case. "Under the
circumstances" he declares, 81 deem
it my duty to suggest to you and ad-
wise that your honorable board at once
advise and direct every county assessor
in this state to list for the purpose of
assessment and taxation for the year
1908, all moneys and credits situated
in their respective counties.
1t is quite probable that the sew
eral questions involved in the litiga-
tion referred to above will be passed
upon by our supreme court before the
time when it will be necessary to make
the several levies of taxes for the
year 1908. In case such questions shall
be passed upon adversely to the con-
tentions of the plaintiffs in the several
actions now pending and referred to
above, and in case our supreme court
should hold the provisions of said
chapter 48 of the session laws of 1907,
exempting moneys and credits from
taxation, to be constitutional, then
the moneys and credits included in the
assessors lists may be omitted in
footing up the assessors rolls and not
included in the final levies. On the
other hand, in case our supreme court
should hold the provisions of said chap
ter AZ, exempting moneys and credits
from taxation, to be unconstitutional,
then the assessment and taxation off,
Gals of this state will have taken the
necessary steps to insure the proper
maintaining of our state, county, mu-
nicipal and school governments dur
ing the year 1909"