River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1921-10-20
By Theodore Swanson


Pierce county farmers to discuss the
taxation question and we quote the
/ following extract from their call:
In looking over the State Tax
Commissions report we find that
agricultural property has been
increased in assessed valuation
and that the tax burdens are get
ting beyond ability to pay.
We also find that some classes
of property are assessed on their
earrings with liberal allowance of
interest on capital invested. This
seems to us to be very unfair, and
should be remedied.
We are also of the opinion that
the State Highway Commission
are extravagant in their expendi-
lures and that it should be looked
into. We believe in good roads
but not in extravagant spending
of money.
We believe there are other de-
partments that could be elimin-
ated for time at least.
In response to the above call sever
al hundred farmers and taxpayers
from all parts of the county met at
the court house in Ellsworth on Sat
urday, October 18th, at 10 o'clock in
the forenoon. The meeting was
called to order by Oscar Gilbertson OF
Martell and on motion Fred Smith
of River Falls was elected chairman
and Theodore Swanson Of Hartland
secretary of the meeting. Assembly,
man C. E. Hanson was called upon
and gave a talk showing how the
burdens of taxation are shifted onto
the agricultural property and sug-
costing that action be taken to secure
relief.
Ed Wild of Rock Elm spoke on the
tax problems of the town and county
and also the work done by the County
Agricultural Agent.
| Jay Grimm of River Falls, County
Supervisor of Assessments, spoke
twice during the morning session and
he explained the work of the State
Tax Commission and his office. He
was subjected to a lot of questions
that plainly showed that the farmers
are not satisfied with the present
State Tax Commission work.
Fed Hines address on the past and
present conditions of our tax payers
struck a sympathetic chord of the
audience and was well received.
1t was found necessary to have T
afternoon session of the convention at
the Firemen's Opera House to ac-
comodate the hundreds of farmers
who were present.
The first business of the afternoon
session was the election of the follow
ing committee on resolutions:
Andrew L. Rasmussen of Martell
C. D. Hawn of Rock Elm
Victor Swanson of Trenton
Simon Steen of Spring Lake
C. E. Hanson of River Falls.
Fred Smith spoke of the work of
the county highway committee
and in answer to questions
explained bridge construction work.
S. S. Crownhart, former County
Highway Commissioner, several times
during the day gave interesting views
on highway construction work.
w. C. Bradley of St. Croix county
gave vivid word picture of the men
who constitute the different state and
highway boards and commissions and
pointed out many instances of waste
and extravaganza in the use by them
of public funds.
M. Langbein spoke on the hiring of
road patrolmen and made some
criticisms that were well received.
Oscar Gilbertson spoke in favor of
the convention taking action to organ
ize a Tax Payers League. In the
discussion that followed interesting
talks were given by Walter Leonard,
Mr.. Bradley, S. Brown, Mrs. Frank
Thurber, Ed Wild, H. ]. Park, Ed
Campbell, w. L. Rasmussen, c. ID.
Hawn and others. Rev. William H.
Slack of Ellsworth in stirring adj
dress spoke of what had been ac-
complished by the organized farmers
of Indiana and urged the farmers to
organize to secure relief for their
grievances. He closed by singing q
song entitled "Home" and the audi
ence gave him a standing vote of
thanks.
Simon Steen, secretary of the
resolutions committee read the
resolutions which were unanimously
adopted.
1t was decided to send copies of
resolutions and write-up of meeting
to all county papers, also papers at
New Richmond, Hudson as:o Madison.
The members of the resolt tons
committee were designated to meet
with the county board at the Novem-
Der session.
A motion to organize tax payers
league for Pierce county was carried
unanimously and on motion COM
mittee of five was elected to arrange
bylaws and details of the organiza-
ton and report to a mass convention
N ba BALLAD lofor Tho fnl1auyip a.