The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1913-01-11
DECIDED ON ADVICE or ATTY. r. H.
ABBOTT TO START SUITS
ATTACK COMMISSIONS WORK
Atty. Feels Quite Certain That the Work
OF the Commission Will Not be Up.
held by the Court II Attacked.

One OF the most enthuslastlc meet
ings that the local taxpayers assocla-
( tion has held was that of last Friday
night when about 100 assembled in the
Diamond Drill hall TO listen TO the re
port of the committee appointed at the
former meeting for the purpose OF seek
ing legal assistance in the matter Of
the fight for equal taxation.
The committee reported that they
had interviewed both Clarence Dwyer
and Fred II. Abbott; that Mr. Abbott
had consented to be present at the
meeting and tell the members in person
his views on the tax matters. MIR.
Dwyer also consented to appear before
the association but he was out OF town
Mr.. Abbott addressed the meeting at
quite length. He told the members
that there was hut little doubt but
that the work OF the commission had
invnlidated the taxes and that they
conld be set aside. He stated that
while he was quite certain that he
could set aside all Of the taxes, yet
there was probability that only q
portion OF them would lie declared IL
legal.
There wac much discussion on the
question of whether the association
wished to go ahead and fight the taxes
and In order 70 get the matter squarely
before the house Mr.. Abbott was asked
what terms he would contest the taxes
upon. He replied that he would take
the work on contingent fee of % per
cent of ths amount declared illegal.
A rising vote was then taken upon
the question OF accepting his offer and
all but four OF the persons present vot-
ed to turn in their property 70 Mr..
Abbott for contest,
Mr.. Abbott then advised all those
who were going to make the attempt
TO set aside the taxes 10 resist payment
until the city treasurer attempts 20
seize and then pay the taxes under
duress There will be added TO the
amount OF the taxes the four per cent
collection fee but that is small mat
ter and most Of the contestants express
sed themselves as satisfied 90 take that
chance in order TO bring this matter 70
test
II is quite probable that most of the
taxpayers who are entering this contest
will have TO pay their taxes as all or
almost all Of them have personal pro-
perty that the treasurer can levy upon
both for the personal and real property
tax and the treasurer will be remiss in
his dnty If he does not for a collec-
ton
Mr. Abbott stated that II he was ad
vising the city he would caution them
not 10 force collection of these taxes
for the reason that should the suits
that will be started b. OF successful
Issue. the city will be stuck for the
county, school and state taxes.
There was general regret expressed at
ihe necessity Of attempting any such
proceedings as is necessary in this case
bus those interested reasoned this way.
Unless something drastic is done there
will be no romedy for the present
yicious theory upon which the property
il assessed in the mineral districts.
Those who are promoters Of tins move.
ment seek to have the theory OF EEK
haustion extended 10 all classes OF
property or else set aside that theory
and ASSESS an classes Of property upon
the same theory present worth
The association has taken up the
matter of assessments with Governor
Ferris ana with the senators and re.
representatives. in the legislature ana IL
Is probable that delegation will go 10
Lansing during the winter Go present
this tax matter before the legislature
fsnr4tfi~ator Cant Qark