Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-08-19

That the county board OF eQuall-
zation this year should be met by
a severe struggle is not surprising
to those familiar with the taxation
methods that have prevailed in this
county for the past twenty-five years.
To them, the objections raised by
the erstwhile dodgers are unseemly
to say the least.
The average taxpayer-who in the
aggregate pays large bulk of the
taxes paid IN the county-is but lit
tie heard from in the kicks on as
sessments made before the board. 1t
is safe to assume that at least nine
ty per cent of the resident taxpayers
of the county will fall under the
term, average" They include the
merchant, the small manufacturer,
new industrial plants struggling for
existence, the farmer and working
man who owns little home-or hopes
to own it when he gets it paid for.
Those are not noticed in large numbers
before the board. Inequalities of es-
Inmates on valuations have always
existed and always will existss. That
men differ as to the value of anything
only proves a difference of opinion,
not dishonesty on either side.
So, this question-which is in the
opinion of the Herald the paramount
one at this time in Chehalis county
is not so much a question of hon.
esty as of opinion. The public sits
as a jury upon that opinion and
must decide as does any jury upon
the quality of evirence offered.
In the present case, we have sworn
officers of the law, under bonds to
execute the law-without the slight
est hint that they are to benefit
by their decision in any personal
manner, and on the other equally
honest men who believe they are
about to be injured. This constitutes
the controversy. The final decision
does not rest in the courts, it rests
with YOU, patient reader. Public
opinion must and will settle the ques-
tion, whether this year or the next.
Reports given out in the press so
far lead to the belief that the tax
evaders recognize that fact.
Duty W. Interest
In order to be fully advised, the
jury-the public in this case-should
understand at the start. that the coun-
ty board of equalization, consisting
of County Commissioners Wilson,
Locke and Fishel, and County Asses
sor R. A. Wiley and County Treasurer
Jerry A. McGillicuddy, Jr.-have alb
solutely nothing to do with the rev.
enue laws of the state, except to
execute them. Those laws, in the
opinion of the Herald, are by no means
what they should be, and we would
change them, If in our power. But,
we submit, to any fair mind that 1t
is not only injudicious and unwise
to enact laws for the state, and leave
their construction to the whim of
county officers, with the discretion to
administer them, wholly or in part,
as their notion-or interest seized
them.
The present board Is not passing
vnon tho 1ow nor odiudicatinp dif.
ferences of opinion as to values. To
attempt to do so would be usurping
the province of the courts. The law
requires the assessor to list ALL the
property in the county AT ITS FULL
VALUE. It requires the board of
equalization to correct any INEQUALr
tiles that may be found in the rolls
Of the assessor. as between the prop
erty Of one taxpayer and another, and
provides a court remedy should one
feel aggrieved. Those officers are
under oath and bond. The citizen Is
on his honor-and oath-required to
give the assessor list of his tax
able property. To neglect, fail or re-
fuse to so do should preclude him
from a hearing before board sitting
only to EQUALIZE-not to place val
ues for any other reason.
objectors Have Reason
On the other hand, the timber in