Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1914-10-23
TAXPAYERS LEAGUE
NOT MANIPULATED
MCDOWELL ANSWERS REPy1RLl-
CANS CHARGES-CATON
PRESIDENT.

Replying to the statements made
by the Republican County Central
committee in political advertising
last week to the effect that the lea
que had been manipulated by Demo-
cratic politicians, Walter F. Mellow
ell, temporary president of the Thurs
ton County Taxpayers league, dur
ing the course of report to the
meeting at the public library last Sat
urday said:
ut has been charged from some
political sources that this league was
under the manipulation of Democrat
ic politicians. This charge is surely
illnatured and uncalled for. If any
man has had a predominating in
fluence in this organization it has
been Mayor hoffman, lifelong Re-
publican and one not easily charged
with being manipulated. In this con-
nection also might be mentioned
Fred w. Stocking, member of our
present executive committee and of
like political faith with Mr.. Mott
man."
Owing to the stormy weather, there
was only a small attendance at this
meeting, but it accomplished the per-
manent organization of the league
by the election of A. 8. Cation, presi-
dent; Emil Martensen vice president,
and L. L. Snow, secretarytreasurer
and these officers, together with
Messrs. Mcdowell and Stocking COM
pose the executive committee. The
meeting authorized the appointment
of legislative committee, to be made
by the executive committee.
Mcdowell Submits Report.
Lack of space forbids the publica
ton complete of Mr.. McDowelPs re-
port. He recounted the work the
league had done, referring especially
to the reductions it obtained tn the
1915 budget and commenting:
at has been insisteutly bourne in
upon us that the economies enumer-
ated were not made with any refer
ence to this league. Why this should
be unduly emphasized do not know,
for it would be no disgrace to any
board of county commissioners to
effect economies by reason of confer
ences with representatives of those
who have to pay the taxes. But how
ever this may be, it is entirely unim-
portant Whether or not the league
had little or no influence at the
courthouse, and if the result had been
not a single cut in the budget, we
would still feel that it was a good
thing to have met with our county
officers and to have talked over with
them our common interests.
County officials are not usually
- 1ioh 10
to misjudgements and miscalcula-
tons and often need system or
checks and balances, and there is no
good reason why there should not be
representative group Of voters or
ganized in such way to advise and
counsel with them and If necessary
criticize those who are selected to
serve us in the courthouse. And the
county official who resents such pro-
cedure is not worthy of Office at the
hands of the people and the chances
are there is something wrong with
the conduct of his department"
Makes Several Recommendations.
IN conclusion he said:
"In LAYING aside the temporary but
appreciated honor of official connec-
4io-, With this ORGANIZATION l would
make the following suggestions:
"First That permanent organl-
cation be Immediately effected with
officers of the highest standing in the
community against whom there VIII
be as little political prejudice as pos
sible.
Second. That a legislative COM
mittee be chosen to whom shall be
committed the matter OF securing
legislation along tax reform lines. Mr..
Britt has called attention to the extra
work put upon the county through
the enforced collection of DELINQUENT
city assessments without remunera-
ton to the county for services rem
dered. 1t is apparently just de-
mand that the city collect its own
accounts whether delinquent or not.
"Also the matter Of change in
the law regarding the pay of county
commissioners has been the subject