Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-09-05
That Reduced Assessment

ground that the World in it's tax
comment of yesterday, accused
the Aberdeen Herald of improper
methods in securing a reduction
of valuation at the hands of the
Assessor and the Board of Equali-
cation, we hasten to make correc-
ton, though none has been asked.
We intend no disparagement of
the Herald's integrity in which
we thoroughly believe. We do
not imagine that the Herald, for
the sake of saving fifty percent of
its taxes, would stoop to wrong.
We merely intended to point out
that possibly the reduction might
have had some slight and uncon-
scious influence on the Herald's
attitude. We don't know that
such is the case. But in view of
the fact of the reduction, made
in year when personal property
valuations have been increased by
nearly million and half, the
incident would seem to require
explanation, especially when the
beneficiary of the reduction cries
"tax dodger" at others and goes
out of it's way to read false &C
cusation into a perfectly plain edi-
-, ;o1 thof II
come forth with defense of tax
ing officials, even though they
have not been accused. That GER
tainly carries gratitude long
ways and just as certainly it in
vites attack. We desire, however
to make it clear that we haven't
the slightest suspicion of the
honor of the Herald and have no
intention or wish to besmirch it's
good name. Aberdeen World.
The World has on several occasions
referred to the reduction in the as.
sessed valuation of the Herald plant
this year, and is so plainly laborine
under misconception, that we waive
a natural repugnance to the occupa.
ton of these columns with matters
personal, and will endeavor to set out
esteemed, even if misguided, contem.
porary right on this, to it, trouble.
some point.
The first knowledge the Herald had
that the assessed valuation of its ply.
steal plant was reduced from $4,000
to $1,000 was obtained through the
columns of the World. The deputy
who assessed this Office was unknown
to the writer hereof, and we do not
know his name, nor did we discuss
with him. We made no
request for reduction. The valua.
ton of $4,000 was about 40 per cent
of the plants value, but, the deputy
did inform us that in justice to the
printing establishments of Aberdeen
he must either raise the valuation of
the World or reduce the others-it
seems he chose the latter alterna-
tive. He found the World plant as
sessed at $1,000, a 40 per cent valua-
ton on $12,500, or but little more than
the cost of it's three linotype ma.
chimes. A glance at the plant convinc-
ed the deputy that it had been long
under assessed, in fact was paying
taxes on a valuation Of about 20 per
cent, while the other Offices were as.
sessed at 40 per cent. Just why he
did not increase the valuation of the
World may be known to that paper
but we have no information.
The Herald assumed the champion
ship of the Taxpayers League, with
a view of securing square deal for
everybody in taxation, more than a
year before this assessment. Its edi
tor was paying, and knew that al
most all other modest taxpayers were
paying taxes upon an assessed valu
alton of from 40 to Is per cent of &C
tual value, while few were escap
ing with a valuation of from 5 to &c
per cent This paper Is proud of the
work accomplished. 1t has had the
pleasure of recording the proceedings
of one equalization board and one as
SCISSOR who did not take orders from
the large interests who had become
accustomed to shift the burdens Of
government upon weaker shoulders
We do not imagine that the World
for the sake of paying on one-half the
basis of other print shops, would stoor
to wrong. We merely intend to point
out that possibly its immunity may
have had some slight and unconscious
influence on the Worlds attitude in
the contest that began in January
1912, and is still on, for a just and
equitable assessment of all property
for taxation.