The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-11-03
Tax Payers Organize.

- 4
night. and organization of a Tax
PAYERS League was perfected, T.
4 Allen being selected as rresi
dent, Al. r. Stalker, as secretary
and e. G. Pfaffie as treasurer.
q. Fl. Abram, Of Eagle, who is pres
ident Of the county organization,
made an address, after which the
preamble of the county organiza-
ton, as published elsewhere, was
endorsed by the local league.
There is crying need for just
such an organization among the
farmers of this county, strong
enough to offset the influence of
Boise city in regard to many mat
ters in which the city's best inter-
ests are not identical with those of
the country. For instance, in
this years tax increase the farmers
are to bear the burden, while
the average property owner III
Boise will pay but little more than
usual. This is not right and, while
it is true that many farms have
been assessed too low in the past,
TO say that it is just that many
land owners around Meridian
should be compelled to pay two
and three times as much as last
year is indefensible.
There isa growing feeling among
the farmers that the commercial
interests of Boise have too great
an influence over both the legisIa-
ture, the state and the county Off
GERS when it comes to taxing the
people and thatin 'tryingon' new
law or principle the farmer pays
for the experience. Governor Haw-
ley's scheme to assess property at
its full value is cited as an instance
of where no one is benefited, but
on the other hand the farmers of
Ada county areto pay thousands of
dollars of extra taxes, with nothing
to show for it but the opportunity
for lawyer-politician to "try on
a pet idea, which should have not
been done until the laws and con-
ditions were ready for it.
The organization in Meridian
has started in small way but it is
hoped that the Tax Payers League
will grow and be a power for good.
The Times does not agree with the
preamble, in one place, however,
and that is where it attacks the
present board of county commits
sioners. While this paper is not
particularly favoring any county
officer, or officers, we believe that
credit should be given those who
are apparently trying to do their
best.
The commissioners had a tre-
mendous job this year, and one
that they did not invite, nor favor
Finding that the assessor hao
placed the valuation too high, they
made a horizontal cut of z
per cent. on every piece in the
county, and this in the face of the
threat emenating from the govern
or's Office that such an act would be
illegal and the officers be liable
Later on, in making the levy, ano
with the understanding that the
amount would be sufficient, the
school levy was placed at three
mills, another instance of trying t.
reduce the taxes. Inc 1act tna'
the courts have decided that
mills must be levied has no bearing
on the argument that the boarc
had or had not the right intention
The board made many iudivid
ual reductions in assessments, ant
that they did not make SOM
others is of course a question o
whether the applications had sui
flcient merit. AS 10 the macadan
road, if the cost of this road /
$4,000, as estimated, only on
sixth of the raise over last yea
can be attributed to this improve