Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1916-12-08
THINKS COUNTY AGENT
USELESS EXPENSE

NNAN--~s ~ ~ LS~A. VI
Editor Leader:
| have noticed several articles
published in your newsy paper
regarding the employing of a
county agriculturist, especially
by a party known as Web, and |
am wondering if such party is a
bona flde resident of Lincoln
County.
AS a nonresident taxpayer,
cannot conceive of any neces-
sity for Lincoln county to en-
ploy an agent, and | would con-
sider such an expenditure a
reckless, unjustified extrava-
gance, especially when we con-
sider that the county is more
than eighteen months behind in
the payment of county warrants,
the assessment valuations, ac-
cording to the state tax commits
sion, are higher than any other
county in the state, with the tax
levies also very high; and the
further fact that about three
fourths of the county taxes are
paid by non-residents, who re-
ceive very little consideration
from the resident tax-using par
asites of the county.
Probably not over fifteen per
cent, and possibly less, of The
county taxes, are paid by local
ranchers. a part OF whom might
be slightly benefited with the
services Of a county agricu,tur-
lst.
Yet, self reliant citizens ought
to be capable of managing and
financing their own private af-
fairs and needs, without public
tax assistance.
Polk County does not employ
a county agriculturist; yet she
has won first prize for the VIII
lamette Valley District at the
state fair for the past two years.
in the competition with other
counties that do. Such county
is noted for registered prize win
ming cattle, hogs, sheep and
goats; for prunes, cherries, hops
and various other profitable
crops; also because county af.
fairs are conducted upon a cash
basis with low assessments anC
: tax levies, cruised timber assess.
ments, good roads and schools
The people of Polk county are
certainly not backward and un.
progressive in achievements
yet they do not employ a county
agriculturist, apparently per.
fering to spend their tax money
. for other purposes.
AS a matter of fairness, jus.
tice and equity, why should the
agricultural class be entitled tc
the services of a professional
person at public expense any
: more than anyother industrial
class?
: 1t seems to me that the tim.
. Der, logging, and numbering in.
dustries of Lincoln county, are
in a much more deplorable state
of affairs than that of the agri
cultural class, as | have noticed
that such properties were adyer.
tised to be sold by the sheriff
but not any property of those
: engaged in agricultural pursuits
If the people of Lincoln county
} are determined to employ {
!. county agent why not employ
one especially to aid logging anC
! numbering enterprises, that ap
, parently are experiencing the
most depressing difficulties anC
financial losses? Or one to ad
/, wise the people and public Off
! cials OF the county how to man
age public business in a way Il
get county affairs upon a casl
: basis with lower, more equitable
] assessments and tax levies; an,
! be upon a comparative equalit,
! with counties where public bus
; mess is managed more efficient
I ly.
AS long as'other counties pos
sess such advantages over Lin
. coin county, she will not get he
! share of increased population
for the mass of people prefer {,
Live and invest their capital il
counties where public affair
q are efficiently conducted upon
cash basis.
= Under present conditions, pas
|, extravagances and public waste
fulness, Lincoln county peopl,
q are acquiring, elsewhere, an un
, desirable reputation In regard II
/ the management of public bust
ness, that Is proving a seriou!
=, detriment to the growth and de-
: velopment Of the county. Sucf
, impression Is spread and dis
,, seminated by nonresident tax