The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1911-08-18
STATE CAPITOL NEWS LETTER
To Hear State Tax Complaints Also fio-
GUAM Water Dispute
Olympia, August 10, 1911.

Olympia, August 10, 1911.
By reason Of the careless manner in
which the work was done on the state
road in Klickitat county, near Lyle, in
blasting out rock for the first time in
the history of road building in Wash
ington under the direction of the state,
claim has been filed by railroad for
damages. The North Bank railroad
claims damages in the sum Of $5,175,
and claim that they have spent that
amount in replacing broken rails, in
renting equipment to carry away debris
and in employing crews to watch the
track. This highway is known as the
Sam Hill road and is built near the
town of Mary Hill owned by Sam Hill,
and has caused the state considerable
trouble as it was claimed Mr.. Hill
wanted the road for his especial bene-
fit, and it caused Mr.. Bowlby much
trouble during the legislative session,
although he pointed to it with partic
ular pride when it was completed.
Now it is probable that the state will
have a big law suit on its hands over
this road, although the state has as yet
taken no action in the matter, it hav-
ing been referred to the attorney gen.
eral. The state has also received
notice that another road built under
Mr.. Bowlby at a cost of S5O,588 is
going to pieces and is in a very bad
condition. This is the road built be-
tween Kirkland and Redmond, which
was accepted by Mr. Bowlby in De-
cember OF 1910. Governor M. E.
Hay and ]. c. Lawrence of the public
service commission, who is also a
member OF the highway board, will go
to King county this week in order to
learn the exact condition of the road.
In the early part OF September the
state board of equalization will meet
and hearings will be had on all com
plants in regard to state taxes. Sep
tember 5 is the date set for the hear
ings for the East side counties, and a
formal notice has been sent to R. c.
Osborn, assessor of Chelan county, by
the state tax commission to be present
on that date and present his figures to
the board. If any county feels that
it has not been justly treated in regard
to state taxes the board wants to hear
the complaint, as it intends to give
every county fair hearing, and it will
then decide whether the county has
been paying more than its fair share of
the state taxes. The state tax com
mission announces that the law
which provides that an estimate of all
expenses for the ensuing year be made
before the tax levy is fixed will be
enforced from now on and notice has
been sent to the commissioners of
Chelan county and to the councils OF
every incorporated city in that county,
warning them that the taxing board is
liable to a fine of from $4,000 to
$500.00 if it does not comply with the
law. The tax commission think that
every person should know for what the
money is spent and amount expended.
The public service commission on
August ID will hear the complaint Of
the city of Hoquiam against the Ho-
quiam Water Company in which il is
charged that the water company, after
putting it one connection, is installing
new taps at the expense Of the users.
The patrons of the system say this IS
unfair, unlawful and unreasonable, and
the commission will have to pass upon
the question. This is the first com
plant that has been received against
any water company, but all are now
under the Jurisdiction of the public
service commission.
The actual value of logging roads in