The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-20
WON'T CANCEL THE OLD.
LIENS AND TAXES
IMPORTANT DECISIONS ARE
REACHED BY WAYS AND
MEANS COMMITTEE.

lMPOkTANI DECISIONS ARE
REACHED BY WAYS AND
MEANS COMMITTEE.
Az meeting Of the ways and
means committee Of the common
council yesterday afternoon several
matters Of striking importance were
acted upon, notably in relation to the
many thousands Of dollars still un-
paid to the city in the form of back
taxes and street assessments. While
there has been disposition manifest
among some Of the memberssof the
old council TO strike these unsettled
claims OFF from the city books as
worthless assets, the new ways and
means committee yesterday took de-
cided stand and announces that these
numerous claims shall still stand as
unpaid claims due and payable to the
city, and the liens existing against the
property therefor shall be continued
in force. The surprisingly large
amount Of nearly $4,000 is involved
Iin the matter
Messrs. Prael, Curtis and Belland
are the members Of the ways and
means committee. These gentlemen
met at the city hall at o'clock yes.
terday afternoon and discussed the
subjects suggested by the claims on
the city books.
From the years 1877 10 1888 street
assessments to the amount OF ST.
s20.36 remain unpaid The city has
liens against the properties on which
the assessments were made, and at
various times efforts have been made
by the property holders to have the
liens released, and in some individual
cases this as been done when asked for
by people interested. Recently il was
suggested to the council that the
whole list Of liens should be can
celIed Naturally these liens consti-
tute a cloud on the titles, and the
can hardly be sold or placed
in the market to any advantage.
Perhaps, during this long lapse Of
time, many Of the lots involved have
passed into the hands Of purchasers.
and II so Of course they hold their
purchases subject to the liens Of the
city. No statute Of limitations runs
against the liens, APPARENTLY.
IN the year 1892 there was left
unpaid the sum Of Si0,6S3.44 in taxes,
due and payable to the city. AT that
time the city taxes were collected by
the city. These outstanding taxes
also constitute liens against the
affected.
The question now arose for consid-
Grafton by the council as result of
a petition entered by William Bell,
who owns property in Uppertown and
asked for a rebate on his assessment
on various grounds, This precipitated |
The whole question and FIRST in the com
mittee decided as above told in rela-
tion to the old claims. In regard to
the petition made by Mr.. Bell, the
made this entry on his
petition, and this also announce a
new policy:
@We, your committee, herewith re.
port that we have carefully examined
The within report and deem it bad
precedent to establish by allowing re-
bates in street assessments; and rec
,mmend that hereafter no rebates be
'llowed, and that this petition be not
Flowed"
This entry on the back Of the petit
ion is signed by the thtee members,
9rael, Curtis and Belland, While
heirs is only a recommended TO the
yet it is safe TO prognosticate
hat the council viii endorse the atti-
ude of the ways and means commit
&c, and If this is done it will mean
hat in the future no rebates win be
ranted in any circumstances in
treet assessments, and moreover that
he liens and back taxes are not to be
ermitted to go by the board simply
ecause they are old,
1t is admitted that il may be diff
ult to collect these old claims, but
n the other hand as long as they are
ist claims there seems no apparent
eason why they should be thrown
way, and at, the same time It is quite
robable that many will yet pay, thus
living the city some of the money
hat is owing.
1t is said the committee were unani- (
,nue In their oninion unon these two \