The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1913-11-13
By. Rep. Thos. F. Murphine

By Rep. Thos. F. Murphine
The purpose 81 the act iB well
stated I'm it's title: AN act relat-
ing 10 agriculture. promoting the
general welfare by bringing into
! productive use the unimprovcd aR.
| riculture lands OF this state and
aiding In the production and mar.
| koting OF agricultural products:
providing for the establishment Of
agricultural development districts.
and authorizing the Investment OF
all public funds In the bonds OF
such districts"
Features OF the Law
The following are some OF the
essential features Of the law:
Tho county commissioners are
empowered 10 call AN election for
the purpose OF creating AN "ARri-
cultural Development District" In
| King county. the election is called
for December G. This district. Ike
| the port district, has distinct mu-
nicipal self governing powers In
co-eXtenBive with the county, but
the law permits tho creation Of
smaller districts where necessary
To Elect Commlssioners
The powers OF the district arc
vested In three commissioners. 10
serve without salary. They are 20
be elected the same time the dis.
/ trict is created.
The commissioners are given
the power 10 carry into effect the
purposes OF tho agricultural deyel
opment district, namely, the deyel
opment Of the land. tho purchase
or manufacture OF materials. includ
ing powder for sale 20 settlers al
cost etc
All officers ~ state. county. and
municipality. including the scientif
'ic experts OF the state institutions
OF learning. are commanded TO aid
and assist in carrying out the worl
OF the district.
Would Bond District
The district may be bonded or
n 2Oyear term under the constitu
tional Limitation Of one and one
half per cent OF the assessed valu
alton OF tho district The district
also has the power. whore needed
OF raising a revenue by taxation
with maximum levy OF two mills
per year In my opinion. this tax
alton will not be necessary In Kinl
county
In tho purchase ~ logged OF
lands. the commission f. restricted
as follows
No lands are 20 be purchased
where the estimated cos, Of
clearing is In excess OF 500
per acre.
A limitation OF $50 per acre
10 placed on lands bought from
one individual. corporation or
Assoc alton. in excess OF 20
acres.
The intrinsic agricultural
value may be paid for a tract,
not over 20 acres, where the
existing settler offers TO eser-
else q preferential right allow
cd him under the law 20 re.
purchase the land within 20
years.
In limiting the purchase
price In an outright purchase
OF land, and In limiting the
amount OF land that may be
purchased where the settler es-
ereises his preferential right 10
re-purchsse, the district is pro-
tscted against any possible col.
lusion and grating" on tho
part Of the comm ssloners with
the land owners.
Tho law further provides that
where n 500 offer per acre Is refus
ed by the owner OF the land. the
county assessor IS to be notified
ard thereafter he shall make his
assessments accordingly.
This will hit certain land
owners who refuse TO improve
their property. and hold the
same for speculation, who have
heretofore escaped with an ex-
oeeoinaly nominal assessment.
An existing settler Is helped in
the following manner
lie may sell 90 acres 10 the dis
trlct AZ either a nominal or nj the
real value. provided the cost OF
clearing viii not be over 500 pei
acre
BIDS for clearing the land are
called for