White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1927-04-22
TAX CASE IS mot LOST
TO BENTON COUNTY

A recent news aarticle in some o
the papers has given some people al
erroneous impression that the raj
roads have been successful in thei
litigation against Benton County
This is not true, and the Prosecuting
Attorney and Assessor are strenuous
ly carrying on the cases against th'
railroads, hoping ultimately to wi
sion.
The case referred to in the recen
article referred to judgment obtain
ed from the County by the S. p. & S
Railway Company. This was based
on the 1924 valuation as fixed by the
State Tax Commissioner. The facts
of this case were tried before the
State Supreme Court in two test
cases at Olympia and Yakima, and
resulted in decision in favor of the
railroad, to the effect that the Tax
Commissioner had neglected to give
lhe railroad the notice required by
law, before the railroad valuation
could be legally Increased, therefore,
the Supreme Court held that the In
crease in the valuation for that year
was void, and it meant that the tax
on the increased portion of the value
would have to be refunded. AS mat
ter of fact, almost all of the counties
have refunded those taxes involved
Yong ago, and Benton County was
one Of the last counties to make the
refund. The decision in that case
however, is thought to be more OF
a victory than defeat, for the rea.
son that the Court did not hold that
the valuation was excessive on the
Railway property.
The new law passed by the last
Legislature permits the State Tax
Commission to re-assess any pro-
perty. The Tax Commissioners has al
ready given notice that they Will
re assess the Railway property, ana
the same win be placed on the tax
rolls for next year.
As a matter Of fact, this County to-
gether with almost all Of the coun'.
ties irt the State, are involved IN
some six or ten law suits with the
various railroads involving their
taxes, and all Of the Prosecuting
Attorneys have combined with the
attorney general in defending the
cases as a unit, and the various Coun-
~ Assessors are preparing their de-
tense alonr similar lines. The main
contention Of the railroads is that the
farms and other properties IN the
County are only paying taxes on
from 70 to SO per cent Of their actual
value. and the railroads. contend that
they likewise should pay taxes on the
right percentage. Not many farmers
~ business men will admit that tneil
nronertv is under assessed or that
he Assessor has cnlv placed ~ per
cent m value on it, but If the railroads
are successful, it will mean loss 70
zach of the counties OF thousands OF
dollars, and which loss Will nave 70
Be re1netaied by a@rstlis butaor 4apon
all cf the property in the Coun,y.
This makes this litigation undoubtedly
the most vital and important matter
with which the County is concerned.
n means more in dollars and cents to
the taxpayers Of the County than all
OF the other County affairs put to-
gether.
The Benton County Treasurer is
seriding out questionaires to people
who have transferred property during
the past three years, and each person
receiving one Of these questionaires
should realize the importance OF TILL
Mis it out quickly and accurately and
signing and returning it to the
County Treasurer, in order that ne
may in that manner do his part IN
helping to prepare his case tor triai.