The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1909-06-24

202, Laws 'O5. (See Treasurer's
Ledger 1904 and prior years.
Taxable PrOperties-EqualiZa OF
i .+a Values.
l found very general, dissatisfac-
ton among the taxpayers Of this
county as to the present assessed
value of real and personal property,
their contention being that the large
lum Der companies, owning large tracts
of timber, are in the main escaping
their just share of the burdens of
government, which are very heavy in
this new and undeveloped country.
They contend that in a few more
years the great lumber interests will
vanish, having taken from the land
this great wealth without leaving an
adequate asset in the shape of public
improvements to tell the tale of for
mer wealth, the burden of improve
ments falling upon those who follow.
An inspection of the assessment books
bears out the justice of this complaint
and I would suggest that the subject
be called to the attention of the Tax
Commission for Immediate considera-
ton. l am convinced that a reassess-
ment made under the direction of the
Commission would result in correcting
many evils now existing, especially in
the items of logs, lumber and stand
1HS pine. \OSS lO1lOWlHS CdS0S.)
Real Estate Taxes in Dispute.
In the matter of the real estate
taxes in and for Beltrami county, re-
naming delinquent on the first Mon
day in January, 1908:
r.. B. Musser, defendant, is the
owner of certain real estate situated
in Beltrami county, upon which taxes
remain unpaid and became delinquent
for the year 1906. The defendant
filed an answer to the application for
judgment on Feb. rs, 1908.
In the matter of the real estate
taxes in and for Beltrami county, re-
naming delinquent on the first Mon
day in January, 1908: ..
The Pine Tree Lumber Co., and the
Mississippi River Lumber Co., de-
PENDANTS, are the owners of certain
real estate situated in Beltrami
county, upon which taxes remain un-
paid and delinquent for the year 1905.
The defendants filed answer to the ap-
plicatiOn for judgment on Feb. 25,
1908.
The answer Of the defendants to the
application for judgment for 1907
taxes was filed in the office of the
Clerk of Court on Feb. "a, 1909. The
records thus reveal the fact that these
companies have failed to pay their
real estate taxes for 1906-7-S, causing
a great hardship in the municipalities
in which these great properties are
located. The total amount of taxes
involved approximate s25, 100000 and
are principally pine lands. (See
answers filed with Clerk of Court)
These cases should be brought to
trial at the earliest possible day, and
the result taken as a basis for settle
ment of the 1908 taxes now due I
am opposed to abating any of these
taxes and trust the county commits
sioners will not recommend an abate-
the Tax Commission will not approve
the application-they being the final
arbitrators in the matter
County Road Records.
The Book of County Roads pro-
vided for by section 1855 r. L. 1905,
in the Auditors office has not been
written up since 1901, although the
county has established many county
roads since that time. This may not
appeal to the officials as very inn
portant at this time, but the expert
ence. of older counties in this matter,
clearly demonstrates the necessity Of
keeping this record, thus preserving
the papers relative to the location Of
county roads in the books provided
for that purpose. One specific road,
being a final road order adopted Apr.
"a, 'O9, by Board of County Commits
sioners, is not set out in Road Record.
(See Board of Co. Com. records of
Apr. "a, '09; book of County Roads,
Auditors office.)
'.Tax Levy and Record of Subsequent
COllectiOns''-NOt Kept.
The tax levy record ordered and
prescribed by this department has not
been installed; therefore there is no
check made as to the correctness of
the treasurer's collections Section
9O4 r. L. 1905, requires the auditor
to compare the tax lists with receipts
on the first Monday in January in
each year, for the purpose Of proving
the work of the treasurer for the
previous year. For the purpose Of
making a complete record Of the tax
levies and subsequent collections