Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1914-12-15
TAXPAYERS
UNJUST ACTION
IS DENOUNCED
TAXPAYERS PROTEST AGAINST
BEING ASSESSED MORE THAN
PROPERTY Is WORTH
tHumboldt Star,

~ .H NauMUO1uI SUIT
A largely attended meeting of the
leading taxpayers of Humboldt county
was held here last Saturday at Win
neya hall for the purpose of ddter-
mining upon course of action 10 be
pursued regarding the excessive val
ues placed on land by the state tax
commission. There were representa-
tive delegations in attendance from all
sections of the county, as well as del
egations from Battle Mountain. Elko
and other places.
The meeting was called to order by
f. ]. Button as temporary chairman.
j. Sheehan was made permanent
chairman and A. R. Randolph secre-
tary. Mr.. Sheehan stated the object
of the meeting as being for the pur-
pose OF taking steps to overcome the
burden placed upon the taxpayers of
this county and asked for the opin-
ions of those present as to the best
way by which this could be. accom-
plished. A general discussion ensued
and speeches were made and sugges-
tiohs offered by many of those pres
ent.
The first speaker was R. o. Bliss.
who suggested that some sort of an
organization should be perfected and
an agreement reached whereby the
necessary funds for starting suits, to
test the right OF the tax commission
to increase the land valuations to ex-
cessive rates per acres as fixed recent
ly and that the expense should be
borne by the parties to the agreement.
This suggestion struck popular
chord, and after some further discus
sion an organization was perfected to
be known as "The Humboldt County
Taxpayers Association" and bylaws
and an agreement were adopted which
were signed and subscribed to by
nearly all of those in attendance at
the meeting. ]. Sheehan was elected
president and A R. Randolph secre-
tary Of the taxpayers association, and
F. j. Button of Winnemueca, J. R.
Loyelock, H. Petrie of Golconda, j.
Sheehan of Winnemucca and James
Minor of McDermitt comprise the
executive committee.
George L. Kaeding, of the Lander
County Land G. Development COM
pany, made a few remarks and told
of the feeling which existed In Lander
county regarding the recent action Of
the tax commission and said that a
plan is being formulated there to test
the authority of the commission and
that the citizens of his county would
cooperate with the Humboldt County
Taxpayers Association.
w. G. Pitt of Lovelock spoke briefly,
stating that the farmers of the Love
lock valley held meeting few days
ago at which it was agreed they had
been imposed upon and a petition was
numerously signed agreeing to stand
behind and support any action taken
at the general meeting of the taxpay-
ers in WinnemuccR. At the Lovelock
meeting delegation OF six represent
ative citizens was appointed to attend
the meeting here.
j. r. Harvey and J. d. Bradshaw
made short speeches on taxation mat
ters, and were followed by George
Russell of the Russell Land G Cattle
company of Elko, who said the tax
payers of his county were not trying
to dodge the payment of their 1egiti-
mate taxes. but that they simply
wanted Justice.
j. r. Goodin, cashier OF the First
National bank in Loveloct, told of
instances in the Lovelock valley
whereby land could not be sold for
one.half the figure placed upon 1t by
the tax commission.
H. Petrie, superintendent OF the
Golconda Land & Cattle company.
stated that the taxes OF his company
had more than doubled in the past
two years. end this notwithstanding
the fact that 1t has not acquired any
more land and does not own any more
livestock.
4. A. Brandon, wlnnemncca at
tornoy In speaking OF the suggestion
OF paying the taxes under protest, said
that this would only be a temporary
expedlent, and that suite brought to
recover from the state would not lnelr
IN the future Mr. Brandon suggested
that the proper thing to be done was
/ to also outline plans for the future
Attorneys j A. Langwith and y. q
Campbell Of winnenucca IN their 70
uarks touched on some of the jese
| phases OF the question.
Z 9. q. smith Of qolconSla. aasemhly