American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-08-24
NEWS FROM THE STATE CAPITAL.

Boise, August 21.-The meetings of
the state board Of equalization during
the last week partook at times of a
continuous vaudeville performance,
owing to the antics of the governor
of all Idaho. Those who appeared be-
fore the board for any reason were
fortunate who escaped insult at the
hands of or by the tongue of his ex-
cellency. Only in one or two cases
was the insulted one prepared for a
come back" However, those who
once the governor met more than his
match. One of the attorneys for the
Electric Investment company was pre-
senting the petition of that company
as to fair valuation that might be fix
ed by the equalization board. In do
ing so he quoted the law in regard to
the duties of the board. Just then
the governor interrupted him with an
insulting statement, and at once the
attorney rejoined with a reminderthat
even the chief executive of the state
must be governed by the law, which
had just been recited. The attorney
ven on to state that no requests had
been made that suggested the exer-
else of any particular Judgment or
discretion, except that he obey and
hold inviolate his bath of office. 1t
was noticeable that the governor was
more subdued for a time after this in
cident.
Work Of the Equalization Board.
The work of the tsate board of
pcrtance, all other efforts in the state
Souse. The members of the board
were in session throughout the week.
Many of the county assessors were
in attendance and made explanation
of the values that had been placed on
certain classes of property. In 16 of
the 81 counties of the state the board
on Saturday announced reduction in
the values for assessment on farm
lands, dry farm lands and residence
and business slots. The greatest re-
duction in the value of agricultural
lands was rs per cent in Franklin
county, and the least was 5 per cent
in Twin Falls county. The board al
so worked for a time on the value of
timber lands, there being a number
OF representatives of the timber com
panies in attendance and who made
appearances before the board. The
work of determining the values to be
placed for purposes of taxation on the
property of the various public utili-
tiac of thn Ctata hos cd q onnd
6eal OF the time of the board: No de-
cision as to these matters had been
announced at the opening session of
the board this morning, and 1T is not
likely that full determination will be
reached in this matter until the end
of the week.
Abstracts of real property valua-
tons submitted by the different coun-
ty auditors having all been received
and tabulated, it is known that the
total valuation submitted to the state
board of equalization was greater this
year than last. The difference Is no
very great, however, being less than
one and a half million dollars. Tht
\ value for taxation I'm all the countie,
II SuUllltleu by the NdTlOuS equity dD
stracts was 1902, DAB 1897. It is expect
ed that this will be increased some
what by the state board, despite tn
reduction already submitted. Tn,
state board has already increased tn
valuation on sheep from 1886 in 1871
to $4.25 in 1916, while cows have bee
increased in taxable value to $40 eacl
which is the largest assessment tina
has ever been placed on his class c
stock.
A Unique Claim Urged.
A unique claim is being urged b
the county attorney of Boise count
before the supreme court. On Sal
urday on motion of that gentleman a
alternative writ was issued out of tn
supreme court directed against tn
state board of equalization, and mad
returnable on August 20. A writ
mandate Is asked directing the qua
ization board to first determine I'll
value for taxation of all the proper,
Of the Oregon Short Line in this stat
to also determine the mileage Of TIN
company In the various countit
through which it runs, and to divit
the total value among the counties a.
cording TO the mileage. Under II
present and past plan the actual mi
n cage I'm each county was accredited
nthe county. TIN petttioner nointa n