Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-03-15
TAXATION RUNNING RIOT.

This time of the year, when taxes
are paid by most people, makes it an
opportune time to call attention to
the very serious drift that taxation
is assuming.
Every man will conceds that since
the financial furry in the latter part
1907, business generally has not been
very satisfactory. and nearlyM val
ues, especially real estate, instead OF
advancing, have, if anything. suffered
a relapse.
In spite of this fact, there has been
a steady increase in taxation from
year to year, until it is fast assuming
a burden that it is very hard for pro-
perty owners to sustain.
Not only have the tax levies in
creased, but there has been, on the
part of counties. municipalities end
school districts, constantly increas-
ing of bonds and issuing Of warrants
to defray the extraordinary expenses
which the tax levies would not pro-
vide for.
Borrowing 10 Excess Of 4 Greatly Increased
Tax Levy.
In that part of Washington which
lies west of the Casacde Mountains,
generally referred to as Western
Washington, the amount raised by
tax levies tor county. road and school
purposes, is IS per cent. greater in
1911 than it; was in 1908, and 10
per cent. greater in 1911 than it was
in 1910. In 1908 the aaid counties
had outstanding county bonds and
warrants and school bonds and war
rants amounting to $4,000, 600. At
the close of 1011, the Indebtedness
as represented by outstanding bonds
and warrants. was SIG, 300. 600, an in
crease of $4,000, 900, or 81 per cent.
land this does not include any NUM-
cipal bonds or warrants) showing
that we are mortgaging ourselves for
county and school purposes at the
rate of about one and q half millions
annually. These bonds and warrants
were presumably issued to take care
of legit innate expenditures because
the tax levy. although greatly in
creased, was not sufficient to provide
for expenses incurred.
Cities Are Reducinf While Counties Are In
creasinl. Why?
Analysing the question somewhat,
it is discovered that while the larger
municipalities, such as Seattle and
Tacoma, last year, were able to re-
duce their tax levies somewhat, it is
shown, however. in the county man
agement Of county affairs, the cur
rent expenses. road expenses and for
school purposes, there is steady and
continuous increase, not only in the
tax levy. but in the indebtedness OF
the counties. road districts and
school districts.
AS an illustration: In the year 1908
the total road, school and county in
debtedness of Chehalis county was
$252. 63l, while at the close OF the
the year 1911, tho total bonded and
warrant indebtedness in the county
was $3.50. 476, or an increase in four
years of 300 per cent. During this
same time, the tax levied for coun-
ty. school and road purposes was. in
1908 1854 ,585, and for the same pur-
pose in 1911 s648, 1884.
The average taxpayer might be
willing to pay more taxes in 1911
than be did in 1908. II the necessity
OF the county required it, but it is q
matter Of more serious moment when
at the same time. his taxes are in
creasing 30 fast they are still INSULT
cient to take care Of the current ex-
penses, as shown by the bonded and
warrant indebt edness Of Chehalis
county, which has increased over
500. 900 in three years.
A similar story Is shown in various
other coun ties, as, for instance, in
Clallam county, the total amount
raised for county. road and school
purposes in 1908 was $156, 203. while
in 1911 this same levy was $242, 154.
In Clarke county the levy for the
same purpose in 1908 was $19t, 1853.
and in 1911 1890. 1913. an increase Of
over 60 per cent.
In Lewis county the total amount
levied for county expenses, road and
school purposes for the year 1908 WIGS
$3.50, 1T. and this amount had
grown. for the same purpose in 1911,
to $50, 800. In the interval the
Indebtedness represented by out
standing bonds and warrants had
grown from $499, 900 for the year
to $3.50. 900 for the year 1908 to 1911.
Lewis County has recently author.
lied the issue Of $500. 900 in bonds
to take up such Of the outstand-
ing warrants that were legally iss
sued. Evidently the attorneys for
the bonding companies were satisfied
that many Of the outstanding war
rants were illegally issued.
In Cowlitz County the amount
levied in 1908 was $2O3, 283 and
in 1911 $248. 2l6, but in Cowlitz
County the bonded and warrant in
for county and school pur.