The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1919-12-20
SQUIRREL POISON
At COURTHOUSE
QUESTION HAS HEARING WE'D
NESDAY BEFORE THE
COMMISSIONERS
Proponents and Opponents Give
Views on Matter of Form ng
Tax District of County

"A Iull day was given to the hearing
of the squirrel question at the COM
missioners room Wednesday, and
more than 100 interested land own
ers appeared. It developed that
majority of the people are favorable
to the plan of creating a district
OF the county, although some modi-
fications of the details may be sug-
gested Some opposition came from
Bruce creek ranchers, but there was
little objection on the part of the
largest land owners. There are two
plans of taxing the district for the
eradication of s9uirrels--an acre tax,
or general mill tax. Details of the
method of taxing are not up at the
present time, but only the question
as to whether district shall be form
ed. The commissioners took the
matter under advisement until the
January session.
The commissioners room proved
too small for the crowd of represen-
tatives of the various interests of
the county who presented themselves
to be heard, so the meeting was adj
journed to the superior court room.
Henry Hughes, chairman of the
board, presided at the meeting. Clair
Hunt and James Newhouse, the
other members of. the board, were
present.
The ball started to roll leisurely
when State Senator w. Lon John
son, author Of the law which pro-
vides for the organization of districts
for fighting pests, was asked to give
the meeting his views on the scope
and spirit of the law. Mr. johnson
gave the history of the law and ex-
cited much favorable interest in it
when it was shown that sone pur-
pose was to make it obligatory upon
large owners of idle lands to bear
their just portion of the expense of
the project. John Savage of Che
welah was heartily in accord with
Mr.. Johnson's views and was quite
hopeful that the sentiment would be
for the Formation of the district.
County Agent Plum stated that the
work Of fighting the pests would be
worked out by a plan framed by The
government which. would join in the
enterprise, and that it would cost
about SO each for the 2,400 farmers
of the county to be supplied with
poison for the season. An additional
fund of $4,000 would be required
to cover incidentals, and a total of
$4,000 should cover the expense for
the year.
During the presentation of the
case for the measure there was some
applause and remarks of approval
of detail features. The commission
ers asked and received information on
points as they were brought out. 1t
seemed a harmonious gathering until
the interest lulled under the mild
manner of the enemy of the squirrel,
and Chairman Hughes made the
statement that most of the talk had
been for the measure and that if
the opponents of the proposal had
anything to say they would have to
hurry because time was precious.
I. E. King of Addy Immediately
challenged the soundness of the law,
and the good sense Of forming a
district. 1t was his experience, he
said, that this was one Of many
things that find their way upon the
statute books which serve only the
purpose Of increasing taxes. First
it is one thing Ito benefit the public
at its expense, and there is tax;
then another law for the benefit of
the farmer is passed and the farmer
pays the bill; and so on. until finally
the farmer has bundle of taxes he
cannot carry and he cannot shift it
to the other fellow. Then, there is
another view: If this were for
single year and only for experiment,
it might not be so bad, but here
district is about to be formed. 1t
will be fixed institution and each
year it's expense for maintenance
must be provided, and the farmer
will be unable to rid' himself of the
growing expense. Mr.. King said he
had been sent there by the citizens Of
his neighborhood to fight the organi-
zation from start to finish.
L. c. Thomas of Bruce creek was
next to take the floor. II would
thank the gentleman who last spoke
for his name!" a. E. King Of Addy"
was the answer. II am glad to know
you, Mr.. King, and want to say that
l am heart and soul with you in