The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-02-15


Some red hot discussion resulted
this morning when the resolutions
committee reported at the convention
of the North Dakota County Commits
sioners association. The big discus
sions came over the resolution regard
ing official papers ana over one recon
mending that household furniture be
exempt from taxation.
One clause in the resolutions de-
clared that the association petition
the next state legislature to amend
the present raw so as to permit the
commissioners to let the county print
ing and commissioners proceedings by
contract. Another clause of the reso-
luton asked that only one paper be
designated in county, instead Of
three as at present. This clause was
defeated however.
A number of talks were heard on
this point, among them one by Pres.
N. B. Black Of the North Dakota Press
association, who spoke in behalf OF
that organization, against this reso-
luton. Mr. Black, as a printer Of
thirty-four years standing, declared
that the present legal rate was not
exorbiant. Not only that, he said 1t
was Just about half the rate demanded
for legal briefs and notices and that
at the present rate it was about all
the printer could do to carry this mat
ter and come out even. He explained
in detail the difference in printers
measurements so that the commission
ers could have clear understanding.
Further than this Mr.. Black said
that the present law did not compel
the commissioners to give this adver-
tising to any one specified or desig-
mated Official paper and nothing for
bids them from letting it by contract
and that such contention had been so
supported by eminent state lawyers
who were members of the senate in
the last state legislative assembly.
States Attorney Fowler was called
upon to give his views on the question
and he differed with the senatorial
attorneys and said that he felt the
present law could only be so construed
SO as to specify the paper which should
print the commissioners proceedings
and the commissioners had no other
choice.
Taxing Household Furniture.
The other clause IN the resolution
which caused some stir concerned the
present system of assessment of
household furniture that is in no sense
a revenue bearing property, but used
simply for the comfort and welfare
OF women and children of the COM
munity.
Much discussion was heard on this
and the resolution when put to the
vote failed adoption. Its context re-
quired the association to recommend
to the legislature of 1913 that an act
be so framed and passed as to ex-
empt household furniture from taxa
ton and this was felt might later
result in class legislation. The reso-
luton was lost.
Atkinson Paper.
State Engineer Atkinson's paper on
How to Secure Good Roads in North
Dakota was the opening feature OF the
last days session. The morning ses-
sion today was by far the most In
teresting during the convention and
the state engineers excellent paper
was followed by number of aninat-
ed talks by different commissioners IN
attendance
The state engineers paper was one
OF the best that has been read before
the association at this convention, q: d
was much in line with the subject he
SO ably presented at the recent good
roads convention in Grand Forks, AS
Mr.. Atkinson has given much time to
the subject of good roads for North
Dakota and during his administration