Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1916-07-28
GEORGE NIFTY WRITES
Salem, Oregon, July II, 1916.


This is copy Of letter sent to
your assessor and would request that
you publish same so as to get 1t before
the people.
have been informed that the mem.
bers Of the Lincoln County Court are
considering the problem OF having the
timber of the county cruised, for as
sessment purposes; and that action
regarding the matter, will be ques-
ton for decision of the court during |
the session next mouth.
l hope you are in favor of such an
up-to-date, business method of secur-
ing assessment valuations, and will
appear before the court as an advo-
cate of such procedure; for 1t Is the
only practical and efficient method,
quire sufficient knowledge regarding
timber values, to make an assessment
roll, approximately near a basis of
fairness, equity and justice; and
say this without meaning any refec-
tion upon your intelligence, ability, or
intent Of fairness, in performing your
duties as assessor.
AS undisputable proof Of the truth
OF my proceeding statement, l would
call your attention to the fact, that
whenever, either a practical timber
buyer, contemplates making a pur-
chase, or an owner offers for sale, a
tract Of timber, each and everyone of
them, invariable, secures a cruise of
the particular tract they desire to buy
or sell; and their sole object In per-
suing such a course, is for the pur-
pose of gaining sufficient information
and knowledge, to form intelligent
judgement regarding its valuation.
Further, l will venture to say that II
you or any member OF the Lincoln
County Court, were privately dealing
in timber, you would pursue the same
course, for the simple reason that
business efficiency requires It.
Now If 1t is absolutely necessary tc
have the timber cruised, in order L
attain an acceptable commercial bash
Of valuation, in private business tran
sactions and defy anyone to produc,
any conclusive evidence to the con
trary, then 1t is certainly just as es
sential to pursue the same course T.
gain just and equitable basis of va
uation for public purposes.
I In fact such a course OF procedure
is pursued in public affairs, to a grea
extent, at the present time. For ir
stance, whenever the Interior Dep
of our federal government has o,
cassion to dispose of any matured tin
ber within the boundaries OF nationa
forest reserve, a cruise is made of tn
same, and the cruised amounts ar
mentioned in the advertisements fc
comparative bids of purchase.
In fact such is the universal cours
followed in selling or buying timbe
regardless OF whether 1t may be pri
ate or public business transaction.
Yet, while we find such is the unive
sal way, OF attaining a basis of valu
tion for the tranfer Of ownership
timber, when 1t comes to securing a
sessment valuations, the officials
different counties, vary In their met
ods Of doing business.
Apparently, in those counties, wher
in there resides an intelligent thinkir
class of people, that fully realize Il
necessity Of cruising timber, in ord
to attain basis of valuation to NAL
. It possible for public officials, and e
pecially the assessor, to render ef
cient service, the timber has been
is being cruised: aud such activi
within any county is ample evident
that majority Of the citizenship ther
in, possess a vital. animated spirit
public conscience, that cause them
strive for an ideal system Of fairnes
equity and justice in governmental O
fairs; public-conscience that
mands the development of such 81
uation and conditions OF affairs, th
1t becomes possible for public offcia
to render efficient service in handlir
such business matters, and then 1
sists upon some effort being made
render such a service.
The citizenship in those counti
wherein the masses demand, and pu
lie officials are rendering such servic
-. are a credit to the srate and are wi
- ming the respect and admiration
W. thoughtful citizens, generally and {
pecially that of the nonresident L
49,, payer.
And further, the adoption OF SUI
practical and equitable business cour
tends to lesson complaint about
- equitable assessments and high Il
alton.
realize that there are some peoI
who, thought they may not deny
need Of having the timber Of yo
OTIS county cruised, yet will raise gre
ot. hue and cry about the expense; a