The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-12-28
COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO CONFER
WITH SEVERAL ATTORNEYS
SUSPICIOUS LOOKING REDUCTION
Made In the Assessment OF the Big Long.
year Find in Mastodon Township by
Tax Commission.

very successful meeting last Friday
night in the Diamond Drill hall. A
bont 90 local taxpayers were present
and twice as many would have been on
hand but for the fact that all the mer-
chanta and clerks were kept at WORK in
their stores. the time being so close 10
Christmas.
Secretary Ross was on hand with his
roll and those of the taxpayers who
had not already ascertained their taxes
did 80 then and there. Many an angry
expression was heard as some small
property owner was apprised of big
tax saddled upon him. The residence
and the stocks of the merchants are the
kinds of property that got the worst
scoiching. Some OF the valuations on
residence property are Ridiculous. when
viewed in their proper light.
Vim. Rodgers has valuation of
$4400 tackled upon his residence. He is
Offering il for sale for 200 with no
takers. His taxes ara $50 Harry
Hatch will pay $53 taxes on his resi-
dence. Thomas Bosanko will pay $73
taxes on his residence and so on down
through the list Barely single tax
payer escapes with anywhere near a
proper amount of tax.
The business property on the main
street is not so bad. True, the invest
ment in this class of property is much
more risky for the reason that failure
in mining reduces the demand for
buildings and thus reduces the income
and the selling value but. taken one
with the other, the assessment Is not so
bad as II might be.
The assessment ON stocks of goods are
fierce, also. There are very few stocks
that do not pay on more than -their
value.
The meeting was called to order by
Chairman Conlin and a general discus
sion entered into as 10 what is the best
course to pursue. The spirit that
seems TO prevail is that legal proceed
ings should be sought, IL possible, to
have at least portion OF the tax set
aside TO be re-assessed upon more
equal valuation. A committee consist
ing OF Frank Scadden. p ). Grattan.
Axel Axclson and VIM. Nesbitt wac APP
pointed TO act with the chairman and
this committee was directed 20 call
npon two local attorneys and Go ascer-
tain their views. The two attorneys
chosen al meeting Of the committee
were Clarence Dwyer aud Fred H. Alb
bott Both of those gentlemen will be
present at the next meeting of the as
sociation. Mr.. Abbott gave the com
mittee the greatest encouragement.
He stated that between this date
and the date Of the next meeting
which is Friday evening Jan. 3--he
will 20 over the proceedings very care
fully and ascertain the correctness of
every proceeding in CONNECTION with
che raising and apportioning Of the
taxes
Secretary Ross made the best talk Of
the evening. He called attention to
the fact that it is the effort Of All who
are interested in the town TO get work
men 10 Ebuild here but that " the pre-
sent rate OF taxation is continued those
owning property will sell at sacrifice
and the addition of new homes will be
stopped. de said that the great draw.
back 30 permanency mere IL the fact
that our residents live in houses built
for them by the corporations operating
the mines. They have no interest in
the advancement of the city pay NO
taxes but their children must be edu-
Gated, police protection must be main.
rained, streets improved. etc, etc. and
these things become burdensome when
the residence and business property is
compelled 20 pay about half of the ex
penses whereas their owners make but I.
about ons-eighth Of the expense
QUEER lOOKlNG PROCEEDINGS
A change has come 10 light in Mas
fodon township that is causing a great
deal of comment. The change is in
the assessment on sec. is, 42-33, be.
side the forties included in the big j.
N. Longyear company find The val
nations were hxed upon this property !
oy the Longyear people before the
Mastodou board Of review The fee
owners we're represented at the hearing
by Mr. Rose or the Porter Office nc
Chicago who stated that he was salts.
tied with the assessment. Notwith-
standing that. the tax commission bas