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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 14, 1903)
THE MORNING OREGONIAN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1903. VIEWS OF M'BRIDE Governor of Washington Plans Legislation. DEMANDS RAILROAD BILL Tell Republicans They Are Bound in Honor ly rintform Proposes Itadlcnl Reform In System of Equalizing Asaessmcnts. (Continued from First Pag.) and the State Treasurer is hereby author ized and directed to transfer from tho said state general fund to the said cur rent school fund sufficient money to pay said interest as the same falls due, and certify the same to the State Auditor, which certificate shall be authority to said Auditor to make the necessary and proper entries in the books and records of his office to show such transfer. The principal of said bond shall be payable, any or all of them, on or before 20 years from the date of issue, to the State Treas urer for the account of the state per manent school fund, out of the state general fund, to which the proceeds thereof shall have been credited, and when paid the principal thereof shall be credited to the state permanent school fund." September 30, 1902, according to tho re port of the State Treasurer, the perma nent school fund account stood as fol lows: Invested in state bonds $1,163,000 00 Invested in county and school district bonds 429.104 35 Cash on hand 320,027 94 The reason for such a large sum being on hand, belonging to this fund, is that the Board of State Land Commissioners could not invest It in such securities as are authorized by the constitution and the laws of the state at so high a rate of interest as 5 per cent Counties, cities and school districts desirous of borrow ing money could obtain it elsewhere at a lower rate. It is estimated by the Commissioner of Public Lands that his office will turn over tb the State Treasurer, to be placed in this fund, at least $600,000 In the next two year;. It is to be hoped that the appro priations made at this session of the Legislature from the general fund may not exceed the anticipated revenues, and that there may be no necessity of further borrowing from the permanent school fund for the benefit of that fund. Should this hope bo realized, there will be in the permanent school fund, during the next fiscal term, in the neighborhood of $1,000, 000 looking for Investment To find in vestments for this sum. In such securi ties as our constitution and laws permit it seems absolutely essential that the rate of Interest be made less than 5 per cent. In the opinion of the Board of State Land Commissioners the rate should be re duced to 3 per cent Others, somewhat versed in financial matters, seem to think a reduction to 4 per cent would serve the desired purpose. These funds should not remain idle. On the other hand, as high a rate of Interest as can be ob tained should be demanded. The ques tion Is submitted to your wisdom. State Capitol Fund. Against the State Capitol fund warrants amounting to $77,004 16, bearing interest at the rate of 8 per cent per annum, were is sued during the years 1893-4-5. The inter est upon these warrants on the 1st of Jan uary of this year amounted to, approxi mately, the sum of $58,150; making the to tal sum, principal and interest due there on on said date, about $135.154 16. There are also outsandlng against the fund war rants amounting to the sum of $350,000, drawing Interest at the rate of 5 per cent per annum, Issued in accordance with the provision of the act of 1901 for the pur chase and completion of a State Capitol Building. The Interest upon the last men-' tioned warranto is guaranteed by the state, but there is no such guarantee as to the other warrants. These warrants first mentioned, however, together with the Interest thereon, are a first lien upon the proceeds to be derived from the eale of lands granted to the state for public buildings at the capital. Of this grant which was 132,000 acres In the first in stance, over 120,000 acres remain. Some of this land, in the opinion of the Commis sioner of Public Lands, ia worth today at least $20 per acre; and he deems it con servative to say that on an average they are worth $10 per acre. If he la anywhere nearly right and, in my judgment, I am prepared to say he is not very far wrong why should we continue to pay 8 per cent interest on these $77,004 16 of outstanding fwarrants? Theea warrants, the principal and Interest of which amount to about $135,154 16, being a first lien upon property which, in the not distant future, will sell lor at least $1,000,000, would be considered a safe Investment -by any one. The per- mnnPTifc school fund hast hundreds or thMi- co-nrio of flnllnm iai in the treasure. Th A Capltol Building fund has outstanding against it warrants drawing S per cent in terest per annum. Why not invest a por tion of the permanent school fund at say. 3 per cent the same rate paid to that lund by the general fund, In the warrant of the Capitol Building fund, thus find. Ing a safe investment for the permanent school fund, and at the same time saving to the Capitol Building fund 4 per cent per annum? The method of procedure would be this: Transfer from the perma nent school lund to the Capitol Building lund a sufficient sum to take up the 8 per cent interest-hearing warrants outstand ing against the latter fund. Issue state bonds to that amount and deliver to the State Treasurer for the account of tho permanent school fund, said bonds to draw interest at the rate of 3 per cent per annum, interest payable semi-annually. Provide for the payment of the interest upon these bonds from the general fund. The permanent school fund and the gen eral fund would be amply protected by a ilrst lien upon the proceeds derived from the sale of lands granted to the state for public buildings at the capital. I would commend this subject to your careful con sideration. State Normal School -Fund. On the 1st of October, 1902, there was in the State Normal School fund the sum of $SS09 74. Against this fund there are out standing warrants to the amount of S10S, 810 07, issued between July 12, 1895, and April 16, 1899. These warrants bear Inter est at the rate of. 7 per cent per annum; and It may be held, under section 5, page B7, Session Laws of 1895, that the interest upon them is to be compounded. By the terms of the enabling act the state was granted 100.000 acres of land for State Normal Schools. Of these lands, selected and approved, more than 95,000 acres re main unsold. A question has arisen as to whether, under the terms of the grant the proceeds derived from the sale of these lands can be used In the payment ot outstanding warrants, or whether these proceeds must be placed' in a permanent fund to be invested, and the interest only be used for that purpose. The proceeds derived from the sale of lands granted to the state for the support of common schools must constitute a permanent fund, the interest upon which only can be ex pended In their support It is thought by some the same holds true of the proceeds derived from the sale of lands granted to the state for the Agricultural College lot Normal Schools, for the Scientific School and lor the state charitable, educational, penal and reformatory Institutions. But such is not the legislative construction that has been given the enabling act In 1893 the Legislature made appropriations for buildings at the Western Washington Hospital for the Insane, at the Eastern Washington Hospital for the Insane, at the State Penitentiary, at the State Re form School and at the Soldlere' Home each of these appropriations being coupled with the express provision that the amount of the appropriation should be returned to the ceneral fund of the State Treasury from the first proceeds of the sale ol lands cranted to the state for etate char itable, educational, penal and reformato ry Institutions. At the same session ap propriations -were made for buildings at the Agricultural College and for the Nor mal School at Bllensburg, coupled. In the first Instance; with the proviso that the general fund should be reimbursed from the first proceeds derived from the sale of lands granted to the state for a Scien tific School, and. In the second, from tho first proceeds derived from the sale of lands cranted to the state for Normal schools. By the terms of an act approved March 7, 1S95 (Session Laws, pages 55-6-7), a fund to be known as the "State Normal School fund" was established and pro vision made that all proceeds derlvedfrom j the sale of lands granted to the state for Normal Schools be paid Into that fund, and that no appropriations for the erec tion of Normal School buildings be made from any other fund. By the same act an appropriation of 560,000 was made for buildings at the Cheney Normal School, and an appropriation of $40,000" for build ings at the Whatcom Normal School, with directions to draw warrants upon said State Normal School fund to pay for the erection of such buildings. October 1. 3902, the Scientific School fund contained 529.- 0G2 18; the Agricultural College fund. $16. 93C 30; tho Charitable, Educational, Penal and Reformatory Institutions fund. $22. OSO0S; and the Normal School fund, $S. S09 74. These several funds may, and prob ably will be, very materially increased during the next fiscal term. If they are permanent and Irreducible, and the In terest only can be expended, then the Legislature should make provision for their investment. If, on the other hand, tho Legislative construction placed upon tho enabling act is correct, then such of these funds as have no warrants out standing against them should be trans ferred to the general fund; and where warrants are outstanding, the money on hand should be applied upon their pay ment. A test ca?e has been brought In the Supreme Court of this state to deter mine this Question, and a decision will probably be handed down In time for you to deal with this subject in such manner as your judgment approves. If it should be held thai the proceeds from the sale of lands granted for Normal Schools do not constitute a permanent and Irreducible fund, then the warrants outstanding against the State Normal School fund are a first lien upon something over 95.000 acres of land. Here may be found an op portunity for a safe investment of a por tion of the permanent school fund. Inese warrants, principal and interest, on the 1st of January of this year, amounted to, approximately, the sum of 5146,000. The Normal School lands In value certainly far exceed this sum. Should you look with favor upon this suggestion, the method of procedure might be the same as pointed out in what has been said in ref erence to outstanding warrants against the Capitol Building fund. EXHIBIT AT ST. LOUIS FAIR. Appropriation of 9.10,000 Enough Under Good MamtKonient. An exposition commemorative of the Louisiana purchase will be held at St. Louis, opening on the 1st day of May. li04. It seems beyond question that this exposition will be upon a grander scale, and will attract a larger number of vis itors than any ever before held. I believe our people, quite generally, are in favor of the State of AVashington being worth ily represented upon that occasion. It was at first supposed this exposition would be held in 1903. Had the original plan been adhered to, and had nothing been done here until after the convening of this Legislature, It is quite evident that suf flcient time would not have remained for the assembling of a proper exhibit of the industries and resources of the state. For that reason a meeting, composed of busi ness men and of representatives of ca rious Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, was held at the state capital on the. 2oth of April, 1902, to determine what was best to be done. It was the sense of the meeting that the state should be fittingly represented at the St Louis exposition, and that the Governor should appoint a commission of seven, and an Executive Commissioner, to take charge of the preliminary work and to raise funds to defray the necessary expenses. trusting to the Legislature to reimburse those advancing the money for that pur pose. Coinciding with the views of the meeting, I appointed Hon. C. J. Lord, of Olympia; Hon. George B. Kandle, of Ta- coma; Hon. Charles L. Denny, of Scat- tie; Hon. T. B. Sumner, of Everett; Hon. Miles C. Moore, of Walla Walla; Hon George M. Brown, of Spokane, and Hon A. H. Stulfauth, of Ellensburg, as Com missioners, and Hon. Elmer E. Johnston, of Everett, as Executive Commissio.3r. I am informed by the treasurer of the Commission, the Hon. C. J. Lord, that the sum of J1900 will cover all expenses incurred in the preliminary work. The Commission, at the time of Its appoint ment, as -well as myself, indulged the hope that no more than $50,000, at the very out side, would be required. Under date of. JJecernoer a, iua tne commission re- ( poneo. to me wnat naa Deen done, but oping to a lack of funds that report has noV. been printed. It Is subject however, to your call, and I would commend It to your careful consideration. From the ex amination of the report it will be seen that in the judgment of the Executive Commissioner, the sum of $63,950 could be expended to advantage. I believe, how ever, a careful examination will disclose that this sum could be reduced several thousand dollars without materially In terfering with the benefits to be derived. Experience demonstrates that work en trusted to a few Is better and more eco nomically, done than when entrusted to many. For that reason I would suggest that the membership of the Commission you may provide lor to take charge of this matter be made not too large. The expen jdlture of the appropriation made for this purpose snoum oe unaer tne direction of a few men of practical business training and executive ability. If strictly bus! ness methods are pursued, an approprl atlon of $50,000 would prove more beneficial to the state than double that amount un der loose management or a management permitting favoritism, or politics, to creep in to the detriment of the work. CEWIS AND CLARK FAIR. Recommended to Favorable Consid eration. An exposition is in contemplation to ho held at Portland, Or., In 1905, commemo rative of the Lewis and Clark expedition. ir tnis state is to take part an apnronrla tlon should be made for that purpose at this session of the Legislature. While the fact that It follows so closely upon the St Louis Exposition may lessen its value, viewed from a practical standpoint yet sentiment naturally inclines one In Its favor. What other states. Including even Oregon, may do, is not yet known. Pur- suant to Senate concurrent resolution No. 17, adopted March 4, 1901, Governor Rogers appointed Hon. F. J. Parker, of Walla Walla; Hon. J. G. Megler, of Brookfleld Hon. W. W. Tollman, of Spokane; Hon. E. M. Rands, of Vancouver, and Hon. George W. Rowan, of Castle Rock, as members of a commission to represent tne btate of Washington In the prellmi nary work connected with this expos! tlon, and to report to this Legislature Its recommendations as to what approprla tlon should be made. The report of this commission will doubtless be laid before you. A company under the name of "The Lewis and Clark Centennial and Amerl can Pacific Exposition and Oriental Fair has been Incorporated with a capital stock of $500,000. Of this sum $360,000 have been subscribed by the citizens of Portland and no doubt Is eptertalped but, that iii full amount of the capital stock will b. subscribed. The management expects the Legislature of Oregon to appropriate $300, 000, and that other states, especially those upon the Pacific Coast, will be adequately represented. Probably you will be In pos session of sufficient Information before the close of the session to enable you to determine the proper course to pursue. Furnishing: Legislative Chambers. On the 20th day of June, 1902, arrange ments were entered Into for furnishing . . , me legiaiauve ciiarauers m me new uapi- . tol, the commission then stilt having, a i cciVed $226,S79 37: in 1S9S, for the years strong hope that the building might be . from 1893 to 1S96 Inclusive, 139,974 S7; In completed in time for occupancy at this j 1899, for the years from 1SB3 to 1S96 Inclu sesslon. Bids were called for, due notice ! slve, $121,943 58: in 1900. for the years from having been given through the principal j 1S93 to 1S95 inclusive, 54S.073 50; In 1901, for newspapers of the state. The lowest and 1 the years 1S94 to 1S96 inclusive. $22,602 67; best bids were accepted, but the commis- J In 1502, for the years 1895 and IS96, $10,6S1 94, slon, not having the necessary funds, no j making a total of 5570.155 93. During the attempt was made to bind the state. Tho. years 1897 to 1S99 Inclusive the ccneral fund successful bidders were simply given the privilege of putting in the necessary fur- nuure. witn me understanding mat tney might remove It unless this Legislature, within 30 days from the opening of the session, made an appropriation to pay for the same. The commission believes that the price agreed upon between it and the succcsful bidders Is fair and reasonable. would suggest that each house appoint a committee to consider this matter. The secretary of the Capitol Commission will GOVERNOR HENRY M'BRIDE. WHOSE FIRST MESSAGE TO THE LEGISLATURE WAS READ YESTERDAY. lay before such committees all Informa tion In its possesion. Increase in DukIuc.h Menus Increase In Expenses. Growth in population and Increase In volume of business necessarily call for a constantly Increasing expenditure for pub lic purposes. The number of Inmates In our asylums for the Insane and In the Penitentiary Is steadily growing. Septem- ber 30. 1S9S, our asylums for the tasane contained 8o0 patients. September 30. 1900 this number had increased to 1019. and ; ai-inciur i., iu i. i..c '155 93; and from the sale of tide nates, together with the Inmates for the, , - ,,rnrx-t or ,t,to. scnooi ior ueiecuve iuum ami mu .in form School, must be properly cared for. September SO, 1S9S, there were 320 con victs In the State Penitentiary; Septem ber 30, 1901. 405; September 20, 1902, 5S0. From September 30, 1S9S. to beptemoer 30. 1902, the membership of the boidiers Home Increased from 112 to 16S. No one can object to there men, who In the hour , Vnr- .nnn-vB fllro 71Pfd fOUCht ItS I vi i.... v .. . u " I Dailies, receiving uiv m.-ucati i,i,'" at the hands of the state. Our hlghtr educational Institutions, the State University, the Agricultural College and School of Science, and our three nor mal schools are supported by appropria tions from the general fund. The num ber In attendance increases with an in creasing population, and at each succeed ing session of the Legislature It has seemed necessary to make larger appro priations for the support and maintenance of these educational Institutions. If It were left to tne neaas oi incse msuiu- tlons or to their boards of regents or tQ prcvent the naturai growth and devcl trustees to say how much money could be opment o any iocaiity. Intending In spent to advantage ln their support, no , vestors inquire ci0Sely Into tho matter of doubt the aggregate would far exceed the taxation nndi where the rate Is found to state's ability to provide the means, l H v.t,noii,. ,ty, thflv nntiirallv turn do not say this by W I criUctan, for it is undoubtedly true inai me ncm u rCfipect ls lighter. usefulness of our State University or ol , Therc js ,n tni9 state property that es our Agricultural College or Ol our nor- i ca taxation altogether: and .other prop- mal schools could be greatly eniargea uia j my that Jg assessed at but a small frac the revenues of the pUite permit To the , t!onal art of its market value. As an Legislature falls the task of squaring tne natural desire ot mose in iinuicuiu-ic charge of these Institutions with our financial condition. Viewed from this standpoint, you will probably feel your selves compelled to deny mem some things that, under different circumstances, you would willingly grant. In passing, permit me the suggestion that our educational Institutions should be kept entirely free from politics, or po litical influence of any kind. Approprl atlons for their support should not be made to nmge upon omer leHBmumi. th! matter but two considerations should govern their actual needs, and the abil ity of the state to meet those needs. 1 v,nvf nnt paused the removal of anywnem- i -r ,. r rrronf!- or hoard of' utrr oi wc .p-.... - trustees, of these Institutions, nor ntn o I appointed any sucn memuer, mi p- leal reasons, nor shall I do so. And. wnatever coniesis may iutc us uuin& session, I Indulge the hope that no one of our educational Institutions may be made the football of contending forces, or of aspirants for place. The Increase In the membership of the Legislature means an Increase ln Legisla tive expenses. And it Is probably true that the growing volume of business In other departments may call for heavier appropriations. I mention these things simply for the purpose of showing the ne cessity for strict economy, for, with the exercise of the wisest economy, the prob lem of making our revenues keep pace with our Increasing expenditures Is, at the best, a perplexing one. True, It is generally supposed that. the state is upon a cash basis; and to the ex tent that warrants now drawn upon the general fund are paid In cash upon presen tation, that supposition ls correct But It does not follow from this that the state ls out of debt, or even that Its finances are ln the healthiest condition. FIXAXCES OF THE STATE. Increase ln Business Means Increase in Expenses Also. October 31, 1S96. according to the report of the State Auditor, the general fund warrant Indebtedness, over and above the cash on hand ln that fund, was $1,777,91S 03. This did not Include the Interest due on the warrants. September SO, 1902, accord ing to the report of the State Treasurer, the general fund Indebtedness, noi includ ing Interest, over and above cash on hand ln that fund, was $1,205,579 57. This con sisted of two Items: General fund war rants outstanding, $45,74119; state bonds held by the permanent school fund for money borrowed from that; fund, and transferred to the general fund. $1,165,000. The cash in the general fund at that time was 55161 62. From October 31, 1S96, to September 30, 1902, the general fund indebtedness de creased 5572.30S 46. But it is well known that, at the date of the first report above referred to, a large amount of delinquent taxes was outstanding. It Is also equal ly well known that soon thereafter a gen eral revival of business set in, and that delinquent taxes began to flow Into the . ""iuei treasury, In 1S97, from delinquent taxes fnr th fw0 fnrf - also received from delinquent taxes for the year 1S92 and preceding years, approx- Imatcly, the sum of 535,000. Thus It will be seen that from 1S37 to 1902 Inclusive the. general fund received from delinquent taxes of 1S93 and preced ing years the sum of $605,155 93 a sum in excess of the decrease in the general fund Indebtedness during that period. On October 19, 1897, the Attorney-General advised the State Treasurer that the act creating the tide land fund, approved March 2C, 1890. had been repealed by sec tion 70 of the general land act, approved March 26, 1S97 (Session .Laws 1897, page 263). The moneys that had accumulated In the tide land fund were transferred to the general fund; and the proceeds de rived from the sale of tide lands since that time have been placed In the same fund. From 1S97 to September 30. 1D02, the general fund received from this source alone the sum of $1,079,051 25. During this perJod of s,x vears th generai fund rc. celycd rQm delmqucnt taxcs for the im and preccdlng years the sum of ?605,. land? total of 51.6S4.207 18, and yet during that period the general fund Indebtedness was re duced but $572,308 46. The taxes that be came delinquent during the period of de pression have nearly all been collected. Our tide lands are at best but a tempo rary source of revenue. The proceeds de rived from their sale will soon begin to dlmInteh nrul ln a vcry fcw, years', will ' ' nraciiraiiv rcxpe. Those facts emphasize the necessity of strict economy, and likewise the neces sity of finding some new source of revenue if our Income Is to keep paco with our expenditures. The rate of taxation should not be In creased, except as a last resort, for the burden now borne by our people Is suffi ciently heavy. In some parts of the s?tatc the rate of taxation. Including the levy for state, school, county, road and city or town purposes. Is at least 40 mU'.s j Qn the dollar Such a'rate. In addition to . . hardship unon the taxpayer, tends J tQ other sections where the burden In this Instance of the former. I would call at tention to sleeping-car companies doing business In this state; of the latter, to our railroads. SYSTEM OF ASSESSMENT. Chance In Duties of Board of Equal ization Needed. From the report of the State Board of Equalization I find that the main track of fiye casses Tnc flrst ciass, consisting of mUcs and a fracti0n. Is equalized at $6600 per mile. This, It Is believed. Is not more than one-tenth of Its actual market value. The Mcond clas3. consisting of 155S and a fraction miles, is equalized at .. ' . , joasy permue; tne tniru :iass, consisting feetQf and a fractIon miles at $31CS per mnea; tne fourth class, consisting j flnd a fractjon m,ieS( nt pe of 156 per mile. and the fifth class, consisting of SI and a fraction miles, at $1320 per mile. The total length of main track ls 29S1 and a frao tlon miles, and it Is assessed at the sig nificant sum of $15,718,512 Insignificant, at least in comparison with Its real value. Of sidetrack there Is 536 and a fraction miles, assessed at $1,132,561. The average assessed value of main track per mile ls $5271 45. The average assessed value of side track per mile is $2112 03. The aggre gate assessed value of rolling stock and all railroad personal property 13 $3.753,3S6. The aggregate assessed value of all rail road property in the state, used for rail road purposes ls $20,604,659. By those who have Inquired into the matter, the state ment that this property is worth, at least $200,000,000 Is deemed conservative. But I am not advocating that it should be as sessed at the full sum of $200,000,000, for I believe that throughout the state, quite generally, property Is assessed something below its real value. But that the dispro portion between the real and the assessed value of other property ls anywhere nearly so great as the disproportion between the real and the assessed valutlon of railroad property, no one can be found to contend. Is there any good reason why you should permit the continuance of such a state of affairs? Property now escaping taxa. tlon altogether, as well as that assessed at a figure ridiculously low, certainly re ceives a benefit ln the protection afforded It by our laws. The cost to the state of affording protection to railroad property, dollar for dollar ln value, ls, probably. greater than the cost of affording similar protection to any. other class of property in the state. Why, then, should these great .corporations be permitted to shift their fair share . of tho public burden to the shoulders of others? The present sys tem of assessing railroad property at a figure merely nominal is not without its advocates. They urge that all taxes paid by the railroad companies must be col lected from the people ln the shape of pas senger and freight rates; and that, there fore, the valuation placed upon railroad property for purposes of taxation ia a matter of no particular concern to the people. This argument. If It can be dig nified by that name, would apply with equal force to any and all kinds of mer chandise. The owner might say: "Do not assess my property! If you do, what I pay in taxes will be added to the selling prices, and It will not be I but the pur chaser, who will have to pay the taxes." By this line of reasoning, carried to Its logical end. the state would be shorn of Its revenues and rendered powerless to afford protection to person and property the purpose for which government Is called into being, and the only ground upon which It can justify Its existence. If property now( escaping taxation should be placed upon tho assessment roll, and all property should be fairly asset-sed. the revenuo of the state would be ample, with out any increase In the rate of taxation. Indeed, should this be done, we might, with the exercise of a wise economy, rea sonably look, ln a short time, for a ma terial reduction in the rate of taxation. This, besides affording relief to tho in dividual taxpayer, would be an clement in attracting hither the homcseeker and the capitalist In search of Investments. State Hoard of Equalization. The State Board of Equalization, con sisting of the Secretary of State, the Com missioner of Public Lands and the State Auditor. Is pov.-erlc&s to afford relief In the matter of the proper assessment of rail road property. This board simply ap portions among the several counties the amount of tax to be raised In the state for state purposes. It does not determine the rate of taxation, but the total sum to be paid by each county to the state for state purposes. Section 1717. 1 Bal.. Is as follows: "When the State Board complete their equalization, the Auditor of the state shall transmit to each County Auditor a tran script of the proceedings of the board within 10 days after said board ad journs, specifying the amount to be levied and collected on said assessment books for state purposes for each year, and the County Auditor shall compute the required per centum on the valuation thereof as It stands after the same has been equalized by the County Board of Equalization, and shall extend such taxes ln the proper columns of such books." The valuation placed upon railroad prop erty by County Assessors, as equalized by the Board of County Commissioners, is the basis upon which the tax levy is made for both state and county purposes. If railroads should be assessed in any particular county at. say $5230 per mile, the State Board could not change that valuation even for state purposes. If it should be of the opinion that the road was worth, say, $30,000. Instead of S52S0 per mile, it could take that fact in con sideration only for the purpose of deter mining the total sum to be paid to the state by that particular county the levy would have to be made by the County Auditor upon the basis of $2S0 per mile: should the State Board, believing khe property to be worth $30,000 per mlleln stead of 552S0. by reason of that fact, de mand a larger sum from the county, the Increased burden would not fall upon rail road property, whore of right It should fall, but, ln the main, upon other prop erty In the county assessed at a fair valuation. To do this would be Inflicting a penalty upon the taxpayer whose prop erty Is properly assessed for the action of county officials ln assessing railroad property too low. Considering the powerful influence ex erted by the railroads and the peculiar" methods resoTted to by some of their agents, it would be expecting almost too much to look for any marked Improve ment under the law as It now stands. The State Board should be a Board of Equalization In fact Instead of In oarae only, as at present Upon It should be conferred the power to change valuations as equalized by county boards, and such changes as It directs ln this respect should be made upon the books of the several counties. In other words, the valuation of property as equalized by the State Board, Instead of the valuation as 'equal ized by county .boards, should be the basis upon. which taxes are levied for both state and county purposes. The State Board, then, Instead of simply determin ing the sum total to be paid by each county for state purposes, as now, would determine the rate of taxation for state purposes. It should also have the power to place upon the assessment rolls any property omitted by County Assessors. With these changes, the responsibility for property escaping taxation or being as sessed at but a small fraction of Its real valuo would rest upon. the State Board, instead of being divided, as now, among the Assessors and the Commissioners of the several counties. Any person or corporation so desiring should have the .right to appear before the State Board, but the decision of that board upon all questions relating to val uation should be final. No perron or cor poration should be- permitted to bring an action In any court to reduce the assessed valuation of property as determined by the State Board or to reduce or Interfere in any way with the collection of taxes based upon such assessment, unless such action is based upon fraud. No such ac tion should be permitted unless com menced prior to the time the taxes com plained of become delinquent; and the amount of such taxes should be deposited in court at the time the action is com menced. In any action brought by a cor poration, doing business ln.more than one county, the state should be made a party, and It should be the duty of the Attorney General to defend the same. No compro mise of an action should be permltted In the event of It being determined that the assessed valuation, by reason of fraud, ls too hlsh. the court should be re quired to find the amount of taxes that should be paid and to direct ln Its decree that such amount should be turned over to the proper officials from the moneys deposited In court. In this connection I would also call at tention to the fact that each of the gen tlemen upon the State Board of Equaliza tion, as now constituted the Secretary of State, the State Auditor and the State Land Commissioner Is busy with the af fairs of his own office, and has not the time to enter upon an exhaustive study of values. But even if the board had the time. It has not the right to call for and examine books, papers, vouchers and ear The skin otlght to be' clear ; there is nothing strange in a beautiful face. If we wash with proper soap, the skin will be open and clear, unless the health is bad. A good skin is better than a doctor. The soap to use is Pears'; no free alkali in it. Pears', the soap that clears but not excoriates. Sold all over tHe Tvorld. s DH B. E. WRIGHT Office hours: Graduate Iowa Gtat Unlr. Sundays. .10 A. Established 1823. WHISKEY, That's THE WTLSO?T DISTILLING CO. Baltimore, ild. other documents, nor to send for and examine under oath witnesses powers es pecially essential in arriving at a just determination as to the value of railroad property. In the event of the passage of a railway commission bill, the' commis sioners selected would necessarily have to ascertain the value of all the railroad property in the state. They might be re quired to certify such values to the State Board of Equalization, for its information and guidance: or, what would, perhaps, be better, they might be made ex-oflicio members of the board. Filing and Licctine Fees of Corpora tions. Our law provides that every corporation Incorporated under the laws of this state, having a capital stock divided Into shares, shall pay to the Secretary of State, for the use of the state, a fee of $10, payable upon the filing of the articles of Incor poration. Every corporation Incorporated under the laws of any state or territory of the United States, or of any foreign state, is also required to pay a like fee, upon the filing of a certified copy of its articles of incorporation. In some of the afntoQ thr. top nnvable unon the filinjr of such articles Is made to depend upon the amount of the capital siock oi me cor poration. In Iowa, for Instance, a fee of $25 and an additional fee of $1 per $1060 upon all authorized stock in excess of $10,000 Is required, with the provision, how- (ConcIuiloU on Pase 11.) DAILY METEOHOLOGICAL KEPOKT PORTLAND. Jan. 13. S P. M. Maximum temperature. -43; minimum temperature. 34; rlv-r reading. 11 A. M.. 5.5 feet; change ln 24 hours, 0.5 foot; total precipitation. 5 P. M. to 5 P. M.. 0.00; total precipitation since Sept. 1. 1902. 24.51 Inches; normal precipitation since Sept. 1. 1002, 22.35 Inches; excess. 2.18 inches; total sunshine Jan. 12. 4:11; possible sunshine Jan. 12. 0:00; barometer (reduced to sea level) at 5 P. M.. 30.35. PACIFIC COAST WEATHER. Wind STATION'S. 4 Astoria Bajcer City ... Bismarck BoL'e Eureka Helena Pocatello Portland Red Bluft .... Roseburg Sacramento . . . Salt Lake ..... San Francisco Spokane Seattle Walla Walla . !50I0.00!12 NB SE E E W XB E E SE NW SE NW NW NE N SW Clear Clourty 300.02 8 Snowlng Cloudy Clear 26I0.0O1 Cloudy 24 T 43!O.CO 11 Clear Clear Clear 62,'0.00 W.O.OO 38 0.00 Cloudy Cloudy Cloudy Clear 130 0.00; fin' 32'0.00 iCloudy 4810.00 rt. cldy Cloudy 320.00 Light. WEATHER CONDITIONS. Fair and moderately cool weather continues in the states west of the Rocky Mountains, but with little change ln temperature, except along the Immediate coast of Washington, where a rise of from 8 to 10 degrees has taken place. The Indications are for fair weather In this district Wednesday. j WEATHER FORECASTS. Forecasts made at Portland for the 28 hours ending at midnight Wednesday. January 14: Partland and vicinity Generally fair; brisk winds, mostly easterly. Oregon and Washington Generally fair; brisk wind?, mostly easterly. Idaho Generally fair weather. A. B. WOLLABER. TiiliiH EXTRACTED AND FILLED AuriOLUTELY WITHOUT PAIN by our late scientific method aplled to the gum. No sleep-producing agents or cocaine. t These arc the only dental parlors ln Portland having PATENTED APPLI ANCid and Ingredients to extract AH nnd apply gold crowns and porcelain crowns undetectable from natural teeth, and warranted for 10 years. WITHOUT THE LEAST PAIN. All work done by GRADUATED ENTISTS of from 12 to 20 years' experience, and each department in charge of a specialist Give us a call, and vou will find us to do exactly as we ad vertise. . We will tell you in advance ex actly what your work will cost by a FREE EXAMINATION. yn PLATES Otto: Set of Teeth $5.00 Gold Filling $1.00 Gold Crown i $5.00 Silver Filling "$ .50 In our GOLu CROWNS and BRIDGE WORK, of which we are making a SPE CIALTY, the most BEAUTIFUL. PAIN LESS AND DURABLE of all dental work known to the profession, you wHl find an example o. the HIGHEST ARTISTIC AT TAINMENT, the adaptability of which to the HYGIENIC conditions of' tho mouth la unauestioned. New York Dental Parlors Branch. 614 First Avenue. Seattle. HOURS: 8:30 A. M. to 8 P. M.: Sundays. 3:30 A. M. to 2 P. M. NEW TODAY. Portland Homebuilding Co. Builds homes only at University Park. Yoa select a lot 50x100. and pay down $5 and pay $5 monthly till your turn comes to get a homt after .which you pay So monthly and 3 ner cent simple annual Interest on what you owe Each principal payment reduces the In terest accordingly. Each borne costs S100O In cluding $200 for the lot. Contracts are Issued In series of 100. When there ls paid to the company S100O by all the members. They are called together to determine who shall get the money with which to build a home. The one who eeta the money pays to the others 5 per cent interest on the amount ach has paid of the S1000 loaned, therefore each member gets 6 per cent interest on his money until , he be comes a borrower himself. Each member also gets the Increase In the value of his lots from the day he pays down his first S3. For further particulars call on or address FRANCI8 L M'KENNA. Agent. 151 Oth st. Marquam bldg.. Portland. Or. Your Self Esteem Not to mention your health, should be sufficient reason for your prompt attention to decayed or unsound teeth. Call and see us. We guarantee you the greatest skill and painless methods, combined with every convenience known to the profession. DR. B. E. WRIGHT'S 342 Washington, Cor. Seventh S A. M. to 5 P. M.; evenings. 7:30 to 8:30; M. to 12 M. Telephone North 2t9L IS EASILY UNDERSTOOD, as we teach it; by a reasoning process College currency, commercial paper. business forms, etc., are used early In the work. This makes It Interesting, and practical. Our students learn to keep books exactly as they are kept In busi ness. At the same time, they acquire self-reliance. Open all the year; stu dents admitted any time; catalogue free. PORTLAND BUSINESS COLLEGE PARK AXD WASHINGTON A. P- ARMSTRONG, LL. B., PRINCIPAL. HENRIETTA M. HOLMES. 40O Abingridn Building, 114 Third Street. Pupil prepared for any university, business college, or special examination. Particular at tention given to those backward ln public school work of any 'grade. Call or write. AUCTION SALES TODAY. By the Ford-Wilson Auction Co., at 182 1st st., at 10 A. M. Wilson & Ford, auctioneers. At 83 North 2d st.. at 10 A. M., by S. L. N. Gllman, auctioneer. MEETING NOTICES. WASHINGTON CHAPTER, NO. 18. R. A. M. Regular convocation this (Wednesday) evening, Jan. 14. 7:30 o'clock. Masonic Hall. Burkhard bldg. Visiting companions welcome. J. W. ROWLAND, II. ir. E. E. SHARON, Sec. CORINTHIAN CHAPTER. NO. 54. O. B. S. Regular communication this (Wednesday) evening at 8 o'clock. Installation of officers. By order W. M. ELIZABETH KISSELL, Sec SAMARITAN LODGE. NO. 2. I. O. O. I Regular meeting this (Wednesday) evening at 8 o'clock. Third degree. Visitors welcome. M. OSVOLD, Sec. FUNERAL NOTICES. POST Jan. 12, 1003, Mrs. Susie Constance Post, aged 42 years, 5 months, 24 days. Funeral today at 1 P. M. from St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 1st and Caruthers sts. In terment Rlvervlew cemetery. ELL1NG Jan. 13, 1903, at Good Samaritan Hospital. Carl Elllng, aged 52 years, l month, 7 days. Funeral Thursday, Jan. 15. 1903. at 2 P. M.. from Edward Holman'a funeral parlors. Interment Lone Fir cem etery. NOST In this city, at the family residence. 372 North ICth St.. Jan. 13, 1903. Bertha C. S. Nost, wife of A. Nost and sister of Mrs. O. Nelson and Fred P. Holm. Friends and ac quaintances are respectfully invited to at tend the funeral services, which will be held at the Danish and. Norwegian Methodist Church, cor. 13th and Davis sts., Friday, Jan. 16. at 2:30 P. M. Interment at Green wood cemetery. BROWN Friends and acquaintances are re spectfully Invited to attend the funeral serv ices of the late Moses R. Brown, which will be held at the family residence. 354 Harrison at., at 2 M. today. Interment Lone Fir cemetery. J. P. F INLET Jk SOU. Progressiva Fnneral Directors and Embalmen, cor. 3d and Madison streets. Com petent ladjr aaa't. Botb. phones No. 8. EDWARD HOLMAN, Undertaker. 4tk and Yamhill sts. Rena SUaiom, lady assistant. Both phones No. 507. NEW TODAY. NOTICE RETAIL GROCERIES AND RES taurants; Western dry granulated sugar at S4.75 100-pound eack. at Holman's warehouse. FOR RENT TO RESPONSIBLE TENANT, the furnished residence (0 rooms) of S. B. Schyrab. 816 Lovejoy st. TO LET SECOND STORY OF 42 FRONT at. Apply on the premises. ' MORTGAGE LOANS ' On improved city and farm property. Building loans. Installment loans. WM. MACMASTER. Sll Worcester block. MORTGAGE LOANS On Unproved city and farm property. R. LIVINGSTONE. 224 Stark st. WE WOULD EMPHASIZE This fact: We wish to PI IRA Customer of the Pioneer v-' ' -- Morrison-Street Fuel Company. Either phone 189. -i A BARGAIN A choice 20-a ere farm, within walking dis tance from car line, close to city. Price very cheap U sold at once. HARTMAN. THOMPSON & POWERS. 3 Chamber ot Commerce. New Houses for Sale Either of those new and complete modern dwellings, now nearly finished, on the northeast cirner of 21st and Irving sts. See us for terms. PARRISH, WATKINS & CO. 250 Alder street. Annual Meeting of the Cham ber of Commerce. The annual meeting of the Portland Chamber of Corcmerce of Portland. Or., will be held In the social hall of "the Commercial Club, eighth floor of the Chamber of Commerce building, this (Wednesday) evening, January 14. 1003. for the election of officers and trustees, the reading ot the annual reports and the transac tion of any other business that may come be fore tho meeting. Immediately after the busi ness meeting the annual smoker of the Cham ber ot Commerce will be held, refreshments will be, served, and the remainder of the even ing spent ln making and renewing acquaint ances. Music by the Spanish Students. All members are cordially Invited to attend. S. M. MEARS, President. LEWIS RUSSELL, Secretary. WILSOii