Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1914-07-31
TAXPAYERS LEAGUE
IS NOW UNDER WAY
WALTER MCDOWELL TEMPORARY
PRESIDENT-ORG
TION NON-POLITICAL.

With Walter f. Mcdowell as pres
ident, F.. A. Roberts of Tumwater
vice president, l.. l.. Snow secretary
treasurer, and these officers with
Mayor George A. Mottman and Fred
w. Stocking constituting the execu-
tive committee, the Thurston County
Taxpayers League was temporarily
organized in the city council cham
bers Wednesday evening by represen-
tative nen of the city and county,
and these officers will manage the af-
fairs of the organization for a period
of three months, until it's member
ship has been extended throughout
the county, when permanent organ
ization will be effected.
The meeting was a most interest
ing one and gave striking evidence
to the broad-mindedness and SINGER
ity of the men behind the movement,
who hope to make it factor for i'm
proving the management of the coun-
tvs affairs, for placing them on a
business basis and for reducing taxa
ton. The principles of the organi-
zation, as set forth in the constitu-
tion, are:
Principles of the League.
81. To investigate county affairs
and the manner in which the county
business is carried on, to the end
that remedies may be suggested
where. evils may be found.
"2. To suggest ways in which the
county business can be conducted
more economically, to the end that
taxes may be reduced.
"3. To induce men of known abil-
ity to become candidates for the var
ious county Offices.
The constitution was signed by the
following men, who thereby became
the nucleus of the organization:
Mayor George A. Mottman; N. G..
Christensen, R. d. No. /; l.. L. Snow.
F. A. Roberts and Fred w. Lewis Of
Tumwater; s. H. Westover, r. D. No.
3; Eagle Freshwater, Walter F. Nc
Dowell and Fred w. Stocking OF
Olympia; H. P. Briggs of Tumwater
and d. M. Kagy of Chambers Prairie.
Eagle Freshwater ana City Attorney
George r. Bigelow were appointed a
committee to draft rules and bylaws.
Most Important Committee.
The Investigating committee Of
three, which, as the mayor express
ed it, is really all there is to this
whole movement, the life of the
, whole organization" will be appoint
ed by the executive committee and Is
to undertake it's work as soon as pos
sible. In the meantime circular
letter will be prepared and mailed to
every taxpayer of the county, setting
forth the purposes and objects OF the
organization and asking them to join
in the work. A membership fee OF
25 cents is provided in the constitu-
ton, any taxpayer can join, and the
purpose of the league is to establish
branches in every voting precinct OF
the county, which will elect repre-
sentative on the permanent execu-
tive committee. 1t was to accomplish
this work of organization that the
permanent organization meeting was
postponed for three months and tenn
porary officers placed in charge OF
the league.
Considerable discussion was en-
gagged in throughout the meeting ano
the purposes of the league were fur'
ther explained by Mayor Mottman al
follows:
Explanation of Purposes.
1--WE feel that our money is no.
being wisely spent. that some OF tne
county Offices could be operated witt
less expense, and we want good IN
vestigating committee to check ovel
the county offices, to consider thell
needs and wants, and to report baci
to this organization and suggest nov
they can be conducted cheaper ant
better than they are now, and w
want to start at the superior cour
and 60 down. It's not a political or
ganization-just plain, business
proposition-and after we know
these things, then we can go to tn
men who are running for the diner
ent Offices and get them to pledg
themselves to carry out the reform
suggested by this organization"
H. P. Briggs acted as temporar
chairman Of the meeting until tn
other officers were chosen, and Wal