The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1911-02-02
DUTIES OF THE
COUNTY ASSESSOR
Bellingham, WASH
1-26-11.
nrfian

l-EO-ll.
ASSESSORS Office.
To the Merchants and Manufactures
of Whatcom county:
Sirs: ,.t
The time has arrived when must
appoint my deputies and aeciue w.
methods by which | VIII auiiiiii'''-
my office. The law requires that
shall assess you according To w.
personal property, which for hli'iiieii
and other manufacturers amounts ~
fine in preparation to the pay loii
won have created in the county. we
are all agreed that it would De Hull
better to exempt mills and then al,ei
the mill has been put into opel"'ioi
TO collect taxes from increased Srouiiu
value created by the mill 5 pay TON.
The census reports show that one
dollar invested in manufacturing
enterprise. will through its pay roli,
add one dollar and Il half to grouha
values of the community. At present
we fine the millman. If, III spite u
tbis announcement, the mill comes
to our city We give the aoiiar ana =
half increase in ground values 10
land owners, who are often mercy
spectators. =,
The present system discouragea mn
men and ENCOURAGES spectators. Inc
system which We all favor would en-
courage millmen and manufacturers
while discouraging spectators.
Under a monarchy it might be prop
err to evade or even resist the law
but in a republic the only way Is 20
81 force the laws as they are until We
can change them.
wish to meet the merchants and
manufacturers of the county to CON
slider how we can best administer the
law; as we'll as how we can best work
for change; and therefore VIII ask
all citizens, but especially merchants
and manufacturers to meet me at the
council chambers of the incorporat ii
cities: Monday Feb. 9th at FernGaie,
Tuesday, Feb 9TH at Blaine; We'd
nesday, Feb. Sth at Lynden; Thurs
day, Feb. 9th at Sumas and Friday
Feb 10Th at Bellingham, each meet
ing to be at p. NJ.
IT, after discussion, it shall reem
wise, | suggest that each meeting ap-
point two committees, one to cooper
ate with the assessors office in Sc
curing fair and equabe assessments
SO far as possible under the present
law; and the other committee 10 CO.
operate with similar committees from
the Seattle Manufacturers Association
the Business Mems Committee from
Everett and like committees from
other cities, from the Grange. the
Farmers Union the Federation of
Labor, Teachers Clubs, etc, etc, 10
secure the submission of d constitu-
tional amendment granting to coun-
ties local option as to taxation as IS
now the law in British Columbia IN
the north and in Oregon on the south
Those wishing farther information
may write to ME; to Walter Nj. Thorn
ton, Everett; or to Oliver T. Erick-
facturers' Association.
This is one of the most important
issues ever confronting the people Oh
Nhatcom cunty. With manufacturer
| and wholesalers of British Columbia
wholly exempt from taxation, can We
expect manufacturers and wholesale
houses to locate in our state under
the handicap of hundreds or eve
thousands of dollars of annual pen
| alizing taxes? Do we wish to still far
tner encourage spectators i'll holding
our natural resources out of use?
Taxes on farm improvements tend
to lower taxes on spectators hold
i gs. thereby INCREASING SPECC.
LhTORS' PROFITS.
BY eXempting farm improvements
and factories from taxation we vii
increase taxes on spectators holding.
thereby gently limiting that they eel
or improve-either fish or cut bait.
The law leaves much to the discre
ton of the assessor, and in deciding
these discretionary matters | will be
very glad to have the assistance of .
committee representing the voters O
the county. | hope that every mill
will be present at one of the meet
ings as announced above | wish ever
voter would be present, but especial
ly to meet the millmen, as their place
of business are so scattered that it i.
difficult to meet them individually.
w. II. Kaufman.
Assessor of Whatcom County.