The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-29
LAWYER PURCHASES WHOLE MOUNTAIN Some Gossip of Crops
 Around OneOnta INTEREST IN TAXES Evans Comments On Basis of Some of the Objections Made to the
 Present System of Tax
 Assessment
By FRANK v. EVANS

by Ef a4'S
 oneonta. August %.-(special)-Not many young lawyers inhale the atmos- phere of such lofty flights of ambition as to want to own a real mountain. Yet, one of the Birmingham bars most worthy members has bought mountain, all Tor his own, and this mountain is the pretty peak at the foot of which sits Oneonto This mountain covers an area of just 40 acres, and I am told that Earfe Pettus,
 it's owner, intends to build upon it's sum init stone dwelling, quarrying the ma terial from the sides of the eminence itself A solution of the problem as to how the lord of that house is to reach it is probably found in the fact that this is the age of the flying machine.
 "Oneonta" Isn't that pretty name? it sounds Indian, and its 'oneness' gives the little town an air of distinction that it deserves for there is only one Oneonta.
 Blount countys site is located in Mur- phree's valley than which there is not a more beautiful or fertile spot in the state The hills, or miniature mountains which surround the town are but the piedmonts of the Alleghenies, and these bear the same forests, and through them are waited the same breezes that make attractive, salubrious, enchanting and health giving the hill country of the Carolinas and Virginia. Our people are so slow to learn the beauty and nat ural wealth of our own Alabama.
 Given a modern hotel on Pettus' noun tain and a pipe line to bring the waters of a chalybeate spring four miles dis tant from here, and Oneonta would prove as delightful summer resort as any in the faraway Caroinas.
 These Blount county farmers on top this year, as sure as sure can be. Too much rain recently has discounted the promised cotton yield to some extent. but not much, and they do say they have made the heaviest corn crop here that has been harvested in 20 years Be- sides these, oats, hay, potatoes, etc, will be garnered in abundance. One does not hear of ravages by caterpillars in Blount up to now, and little fear is ex- pressed on that score. It is encouraging, and speaks well for the progressive farm CTS of Blount to see the well conditioned live stock, horses and mules. that come daily to Oneonta with loads of melons and fruits for the market. It's just side proposition for them.
 Blount Is a rapidly growing 9county, her taxable values having reached about S4 OoOOo0, and you know that means over s19000,000 real values. By the way, this subject of taxation, always sensitive one. seems just now to be awakening un- usual interest. if we are to judge by journalistic utterances from Montgomery and Birmingham one newspa per, which is boasting of now building a skyscraper publishing house in the very heart of Birmingham and of enjoying the largest patronage in it's history. does not deem it proper expedent for the tax com missioners to place a 60 per cent valuation of property on the tax list in hard times like this.' A Montgomery newspaper also condemns the actions of the tax commis- sion in urging proper return of all property in that city-a city where there was recently sold for $46,O00 cash a piece of real estate returned for taxes at $12, 800
 The Birmingham complaint that Jeffer- son pays more than she gets back from the state, and that the weaker counties get more than they pay, is probably true but Jefferson boasts of her wealth in such uncertain and persistent tones that the state is bound to recognize her ability to aid the weaker and smaller counties.
 The truth of the matter is that there is a. lack of equitable taxation in Alabama that the small property holders whose little homes are in sight. and who are themselves unable to enforce euualiza- tion, together with the corporations, which have no souls to be offended, are bearing the burden of taxation in this state. and not the skyscrapers nor man sions of the wealthy in Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile. A tax valuation of 30 per cent of the market values of Jefferson cOuntV luxurious adornment, exterior and in- terior, of the splendid city of Birming- ham, would pay her own way and sup plant the weaker counties which con- stantly pay tribute to the Birmingham market places.
 Alabama's tax rate Is not high The rate of 6o cents on the $l00, as assessed today, is less than 20 per cent on the actual cash value of all property as- xeSsed