White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1926-10-22
RATIO STEADILY RAISED
DURING BEARDSLEY'S Term

There has appeared in some of the
papers in the County, a paid adver-
t.sement by G. w. Hamilton, Demo-
cratic candidate for Prosecuting
Attorney, and as those articles con-
tain statements with reference to
County BUSINESS with which we, as
County Commissioners are familiar,
/ desire to present to the people, the
true facts as we know them 20 be.
| We have no desire to become in
, volved in any political disputes be-
tween candidates and between the
Republican and Democratic parties,
but we believe ir fair play and in the
correct statement of facts, of which
we have personal knowledge as the
business managers of the County.
With reference to the litigation
with the various railroads in con-
nectlon with Their taxes, he does not
| seem to entirely understand the sit
uation nor have the correct facts with
reference thereto, the facts are that
the Northern Pacific filed three cases
in the Supreme Court for Thurston
County, First certiorari against the
tax commission, second a suit in
equity against the tax commission and
third, suit in equity against all Of
the Counties in which the railroad
operates.
Mr.. Beardsley appeared as attorney
for Benton County in the third one
OF these cases and was associated
with the attorney General and all of
the other Prosecuting Attorneys in
tie other two cases. We authorized
his appearance in these cases at his
request, for the reason that this
County was vitality interested and it
meant Thousands of dollars to us.
Upon appeal to the Supreme Court
both the certiorari and equity cases
were dismissed and Mr.. Beardsley
should have due credit for his share
therein.
In addition to those cases, the
Northern Pacific, the S. P. K S. and
the O. w. r. 4 NJ, companies also
filed suits in the various counties in
which they operated for their 1924
taxes, which cases were fled direct
ly in each County. Mr.. Beardsley
has represented and defended Benton
County in these cases and since the
Supreme Court decision above re-
ferred to, the railroad companies
i have not pressed the cases in the
various counties. Mr.. Hamilton
mentions tn. test case that was made
in Yakima County, leaving the i'm
preston that the railroad having won
in that case in Yakima, that Benton
County also lost its case. AS
matter cf fact, the Benton County
case fled in this County has not
been tried and very probably never
will be tried, for the reason that Ben
ton County has much stronger Gaze
than Yakima County, had, further
more, case similar to the Yakima
case was tried in Thurston County
and in that case the railroad lost,
both cases are now in the Supreme
Court.
This year the railroad companies
have stated they will bring their suit
in the United States Courts, which is
pretty good evidence that they consider
themselves beaten in the State Courts
The facts are that Mr.. Beadslcy has
taken an unusual interest in County
tax litigation, and has studied tax laws
and has successfully defended the
County against the raildoads and has
won every time and we believe that
he can be expected to continue.
AS an illustration Of authority on tax
law and willingness and ability to de-
fend the County, the records will show
that while Hamilton was prosecuting
attorney, the railroad ratios were per-
mitted to be lowered with an actual
loss to the County of $4,000 in taxes.
Here 10 Hanoi1ton'a record.