Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1914-03-27
HIGH COST OF
GOVERNMENT
Forms Topic Of Discussion
by Chamber of Commerce
Last Evening
INCREASE UNREASONABLE
Great Interest Shown in State.
County, City and School
Expenditures

The meeting Of the Aberdeen Cham
ber of Commerce at Hotel Washine-
ton last night. was one Of the best
in several years. About 80 repre-
sentative citizens were present, all
enjoyed the famous cuisine of the
Washington and were interested in
the informal discussions that follow
ed. A male quartette rendered
several songs, one of them a skit on
County Assessor R. A. Wiley and
other officials that brought down the
house.
Tax Rate Was the Topic
The tax rate, the absorbing topic
in Chehalis county to-day, was thor
oughly discussed from almost every
angle, and is certain to have accom-
plished a good purpose. Secretary
Bryan called attention to the state
ments of dues he had mailed, and
requested prompt remittance. The
dues are payable annually in advance
and are but $500 year for indi-
viduals and $1,000 for corporations.
President Mumaw appointed the fol-
lowing committee to rustic new men,
bers: Phillip A. Bertrand, John w.
Huff, Russell Mack, N. A. Burcombe
and R. C. Vandervort.
Assessor Wiley explained clearly
and at some length the various items
of expenditures, state, county, road
and school, that totaled about $4a0. 900
for Aberdeen, out Of total of $1.616.-
1885 for the entire county. He in
vited questions concerning any Of the
tax matters with which his Office has
to do and replied to quite a number
that shed considerable light ON the
subject, concluding with showing
where in his opinion the levy should.
and may be, reduced about 5000 600
! next year.
The matter of schools expense was
taken up by ]. C. Smith, a member
of the board of education, who ex-
planned the increased cost of educar
ton of late years. Being questioned
as to the increase of over SO per cent
in the past six years, he cited the
modern methods installed in that
period all of which cost money.
School expenditures were discussed
by Dr. Hopkinson, r. A. Wiley, ]. w.
Young and j. J. Carney.
President Mumaw quoted tax fig
ures from number of cities in Ohio.
which clearly proved that excessive
public expenditures were by no means
confined to the Pacific Coast. In
Ohio, he stated, the assessed valua-
tions were on 100 per cent basis,
and the limit of the tax levy was Is
miles. This it will be remembered Is
under a new constitution but recent
ly adopted, and some municipalities
were experiencing rough shedding in
getting along on this levy, but they
have to do 1t.
J. J. Carney took up the matter of
increased public expenditures, state,
county, municipal and school, during
the past six years, showing that
Chehalis county was paying $1SS, ,430.-
90 more state taxes this year than va
did in 1908; that the sum required
this year for roads and bridges had
increased 243 per cent in the past
six years, and that during that period
this county had raised by taxation.
for roads and bridges the enormous
sum of $1,S52,746.oo. That municipal
taxes had grown in that period from
$129,711 to $320,2S4, and that the
total taxes had increased 15s per
cent
Mr.. Carney consluded by calling at
tention to the mass meeting held last
week for the purpose of organizing
a Taxpayers League, and invited all
present to attend the meeting next.
Monday night, in the city hall, to ea
feet permanent organization.
A. C. Girard talked on tax levies,
and told the meeting how Chehalis
county was being made the goat by
the state board of equalization.
through the failure of the citizens of
this county to attend the meetings Of
this board and to back up the county
officials in their efforts for a square
deal.
John O'Hare suggested that steps
be taken to have the laws SO changed
as to permit the cities to use a por-
tion Of the road and bridge taxes
paid by them within city limits.
The suggestion was made after As
SCISSOR Wiley had quoted the sum
paid into that fund this year BY
Aberdeen, as about $35,O00
L A. Naudeau. of Seattle. . dr.
/