Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1912-08-22
Vigorous Action of County AttOrnny ". f..
Campbell illustrates Attempt of Weyer-
hduSer Timber Company to Dodge Taxes
HE IS DEBARRED FROM SECRET MEETING
Tax Dodgers Almost Successful in DEFEATING
Timber Cruise Yesterday go Attorney,
Assessor and Treasurer With Taxpayers

You are asking this board to ac-
cept your cruise, and you have not
brought one iota of evidence here, ex.
cept the cruise of men hired by your
corporation to bear out your state
ment. If this board could lower val-
ues like this, every man in ChehalisE
county, every timber owner in the
county could ask the county to re-.
cruise his holdings, by bringing in an
old cruise, and then it would cost
Chehalis county an additional $35, ,0a0
to prove the cruise it now has 1t is
up to You TO prove it wrong and not
to Chehalis county to prove it right"
Why Not Play Fair
1T seems strange that you repres--
entatives are coming here asking for
reductions on sections cruised too
high Why don't you submit your
cruises and give us the same deal or
sections the county may have cruised
too love- asked Commissioner VIII
son
"Well We have not had the time to
check them up" was the lame ex-
cuse given by Mr. Palmer.
Here Mr.. Palmer, Mr.. Long and.
and Campbell engaged in a lengthy
argument as to- the law, Campbell
proving his point and once more urg-
ing the board to remain firm, because
of lack of sufficient evidence to make
the change.
But supposing the Weyerhaueser.
Timber company sold you tract OF
land with su much timber on it and
1t cut that amount, wouldn't you con-
slider that some evidence? You never
heard of the Weyerhaeuser people CIV.
ing anything away, did you?" said
Hopkins
"You bet your sweet life, l have,"'
answered Campbell
But they never gave me anything"
quickly replied Hopkins.
"Why, didn't say they did, Willis"
was Campbell's closing remark.
w. b. Mack then appeared before
the board and stated his company was
satisfied with the cruise, but the price
had not been fair. He said that tim.
Der owned by his company was as
sessed at 81 per thousand and timber.
just as good, and accessible and across
an imaginary township line, was as
sessed at 80 cents.
At this juncture, Hopkins, gave
Davis a nudge and left the room, but
Davis failed to preceive that he was
wanted so Hopkins came back into
the room, called Davis out and the
two held a hurried whispered consul
tation in the other room.
Returning to the room, it was
plainly seen that Hopkins was peeved
at Campbells intrusion into the fight.
as Treasurer Paine had taken sides
with Campbell and bore out his con-
tention. Wilson and Assessor Jones.
were against Davis and Hopkins, they
having made an open fight against a
reduction.
Campbell Not Wanted
Hopkins then suggested that Just
the board go into another room to talk
it over. Prosecuting Attorney Camp
bell started to enter the room and
Hopkins informed him he was not
wanted.
"But / am prosecuting attorney of
this county and am here to advise
this board" replied Campbell.
eve don't want you in here, so you
stay out" said Hopkins.
But I am going in said Campbell,
firmly.
'lf you do, we will go some other
place where you cant get in," said
Hopkins, as be slammed the door
Campbell Makes Statement.
81 was asked to be present at this
because taxpayers of the
county, who have watched star chamb-
er sessions Of this nature year after
year. and seen the people robbed Of
good taxes wanted to get into that
star chamber meeting. 1t was my place
to be there to prevent the people be-
ing given the worst of it, but | was
shut out, because, ] would not con-
oede that the Weyerhauser Timber
should have its cruise re-
1uced. That meeting was a public one
the acts of the commissioners, or
equalization board, should be done in
HE omen and not behind closed doors
that is why ! resented the attemut
IF Commissioner Hopkins to keep me
out of a meeting. which interests the
taxpayers Of Chehalis county many
thousands OF dollars"
History Repeats Itself
Two years ago, \. c. Girard, Ho-
1uiam neWspaperman. discovered an
attempt of Commissioners Hopkins
and Charles Arland, to reduce the val-
lations on Weyerhauser holdings in
ranges Z and s. 100000. Girard Sc
cured the assistance of Campbell and
took the matter before the grand
jury. Hopkins was up for reelection
and after the grand jury had taken
the books and held them two days.
Hopkins. failed to return on the last
day and the reduction, was never
made