East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1922-10-09
THEY KNOW THE THING CAN BE DONE

any about the issue being the
main thing at stake the fight ie governorshp that
doubt has been removed The fact that timber owners u
Der and others putting up $4,000 to
Walter Pierce he wishes reduce equaze the tax
burden something means they fear Mr. Pierce cleo
on will greater equalization of the tax burden and that
the timber and lumber interests will have to take heavier
share of the load carried almost entirely by the farmer and
business that if elected he will endeavor out his
campaign declarations They fear he will succeed Otherwise
when the Oco forces already supposed to have all the
money they need for legitimate expenses?
Have the timber numbering interests utility
tons been carrying their fair share of the tax burden
have they used their financial and political to escape
farmer?
That is very interesting question raised be-
fore by this Last spring when the tax committee
appointed by Governor Ocott here the East Oregonan
publicly raised the question. That question was prompted by
the fact there vast bodies of good timber land Oregon
and hear little about the taxes paid thereon known
that the timber is mostly the hands of few and lew
big Portland has numerous mllonaries who made
to work together effectively they powerful in financial
way they have able attorneys and is known they have mad
representing them in important Offices The same thing
is true of public utility corporations
That why the farmer and the home have
ton that if the true facts known the tax burden farm
property homes could be materially and justly essened
by putting Of the tax timber and umbrmen and up
on the public utility corporatons?
committee? That commission named professedy to nves
tgate the tax subject and to suggest or removing evils
strongly on that committee But when that
committee here Mr. Pierce the only farmer member
The committee controlled absolutely by three Portland men
who had no interest the farmer in the farmers profits The
chairman contractor another influential member
Portland real estate and third the tim
Der interests Why did Governor Ocott appoint such upon
that committee? Why the farmer member placed that
he would be ouvoted three to one? Was that commission
pointed to relief for the farmer that the
farmer did not shift of his burden others That fair
question and light of the $25 600 being raised Portland o
fight Mr. Pierce the East Oregonan desires repeat that
ton.
There those who claim that if elected Mr. Pierce
will not be able to reduce equaze the burden The
that the thing be done and be There
farmers in Umaa county who this paid half their net in
in taxes That is noerable and means slowing
down of general business because farming basic industry
and when it is Improbable all business suffers through the
crpping of the farmers buying power
Mr. Pierce has tax equalization plans that will work and
they should be put into effect If he is elected his election will
be mandate from the people for reform and that mandate
will be needed by the Legislature When that is done the bur-
den the farmer and homeowner will be materially essened
The timber subscribing to the $4,000 antPece fund
know this and accounts for their activity They have unw
ngy provided rreutabe to those who the
question cannot be solved The Oregon Journal entitled
for exposing that ssh the secrecy
with which being raised 1t will be for the
to distinguish between the side that trying him
the side that wishes to make him the goat