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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 18, 1908)
1 TIIE MORNING OREGOXIAX, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1903 3 " i - 1 - li ....... : : X . I RAILROADS WANT TAXES SEDUCED Washington Lines Appeal for Cut in Valuations of $30,000,000. LEVY IS NOT EQUITABLE Claim Made That Other Property Is Xot Taxed at Full 60 Per Cent of Real Value, While Railroads Are by Own Figures. OLYMPIA. Wash., Sept. 17. (Spe cial.) Reductions that will aggregate at least 80.00000 In the assessed valuation of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific Railways, as fixed by the Tax Commission, are asked by at torneys for the two railroads of the State Board of Equalization. Approximately J3.000.000 of this is claimed as a flat reduction on the ground that to leave that amount stand would result in double taxation. The balance of the reduction is asked on the ground that the Tax Commissions valuations are fixed at n per cent of the true value of the railroads, while other property In the several counties traversed is not assessed at so high a proportion. The Tax Commission, in assessing railroads, adopted as the basis the figures fixed by the Railroad Commis sion as the market value of the roads and fixed the assessed valuation at 69 per cent thereof. The Railroad Commission placed the market value of the Northern Pacific in this state at Jlll.00n.000, and the Great Northern at 59.JO0,O0O. Allege Double Taxation. It is claimed by the railroad attor nevs that the Railroad Commission, in making up these values, put in ap proximately $13,000,000 on account of facilities offered the railroads by com mercial property owned by them in Spokane, Seattle and Tacoma. It Is asserted that the three counties have listed this commercial property also and that to retain it in the value of the rallroa.ls by the state board would result In double taxation. The prop erty in controversy, assessed at 60 per rent, constitutes nearly $8,000,000 of the Tax Commission's figures. The railroad attorneys claim that a flat valuation of 60 per cent, or any other percentage, of the true value of railroad property is unjust. They propose to the State Board of Equaliza tion that the true value of the rail roads, determined by excluding the $13.000.)00 worth of commercial prop erty ahove mentioned, be adopted as the basic valuation, and that this valuation be segregated by counties ac cording to the mileage In each county. That thereafter the valuations be fixed In each county in the same proportion as other property Is valuu for taxa tion purposes. The adoption of this plan would, it is claimed, result In a reduction from the tax commission figures of millions of dollars. Great Northern attorneys as sert that in Spokane County other property is valued at from 35 to 40 per cent of its true value, and that in other counties traversed by the road, with the exception of King, the proportion is from 25 to 35 per cent. King County, they claim, is assessed at a higher pro portion of true value than any other county In the state. It was asserted before the state board that It King County's last year's figures were adopt ed this year, the county would still be assessed at a higher proportionate valuation than any other county In the state. Higher Rates With Higher Taxes. B. S. Grosscup. counsel for the Northern Pacific, presented the argu ment to the state board that the rail roads themselves were little interested in the actual amount of taxes they had to pay. He claimed that under present day conditions the managements of the railroads were but trustees of the prop erty and were held down by state and Government supervision to a standard rate of income. High taxation would mean Increased rates In order that this standard of in come might be realized and tlte people would actually pay the bills. The assessing officers of King. Pierce and Spokane counties are also object ing to the listing of what is claimed to be commercial property In Tacoma; Spokane and Seattle as operating prop erty of the two railroads. The value of the property aggregates about $2,000,000 in each dev. If classed as operating property Its value will be spread over the entire state on a track mileage basis. If classed as distinctly commercial property the entire value will be assessable In the counties where It is located. State Board Has Xo Plan Yet. The State Board of Equalization has not yet adopted a plan for the segrega tion of the railroad values by counties. It seems be conceded that the board cannot legally adopt the tax commis sion's flat valuation of 60 per cent of the true value of the. railroads. If the railroad company's plan is not adopted, it is likely that the average percentage of true value of other prop erty throughout the state will be the basis for determining the assessable value of railroads. The law apparently requires the state board to adopt fig ures representing the assessable value of each rallrpad in its entirety and then to segregate by counties according to track mileage. To average the entire state would result in a lesser reduction from the tax commission's figures than If the railroad company's plan is adop ted, for the reason that King County, having nearly one-third of the total state valuation and a high percentage, would bring up the general average in the other counties. KING COUNTY'S COMPLAINT Assessed Valuations Higher Than Any Other Except Spokane. OLYMPIA, Wash., Sept. 17. (Spe cial.) This was King County day be fore the State Board of Equalization, and arguments were made to the Board by Assessor Parrish, by M. J. Carkeek. J. S. Goldsmith, Attorney Gorhamand John Schram, representing the Seattle Chamber of Commerce; by Chairman Dan Abraham, of the Board of County Commissioners, and Commissioner Al Rutherford and by John I Snapp, tax agent of the Great Northern. The Seattle representatives In brief Insisted that the valuations reported by King County this year, despite the 20 per cent cut, are relatively higher than any other county in the state ex cept Spokane, and the speakers asked that either King County's gross valua tions should be reduced for state levy purposes or that all the other counties be raised to the same level. Snapp submitted a tpyewritten state ment giving what he claimed was a correct statement of the proportion of assessed valuations to real value. Tax Commissioner Frost Insisted that this statement was simply a conclusion and that it should not be considered by the Board unless evidence was submitted to show upon what the conclusiqns were based. Mr. Snapp said that for about a year 11 men have been employed in all of the counties of the state making records of considerations named in ac tual transfers and in other ways secur ing actual valuations, and In this work more than 41,000 transfers have been checked up. The figures shown as actual prices paid have been compared with the assessed valuations this year, and these, he claimed, show that property in the several counties have been assessed at the following percentages of real value: Adams 3 per cent, Asotin 3), Benton 35, Chehalis 20, Chelan 25, Clallam 26, Clark 31, Columbia 32. Cow litz 31, Douglas 28, Ferry 25, Franklin 26, Garfield 25, Jefferson 33, King 40, Kittitas 27. Klickitat 27, Lewis 33, Lin coln 30. Mason 27, Okanogan 25, Pacific 25, Pierce 32, Skagit 25, Skamania 31, Snohomish 33, Spokane 40, Stevens 22, Thurston 27, Walla Walla 25, Whatcom 25, Whitman 18. and Yakima 39. ARREST JAP HIGHBINDER Oriental Secret Society Member Ac cused of Los Angeles Murder. ASTORIA, Or., Sept. 17.(SpecIal.) T. H. Zeigler and T. N. White, detectives connected with the Los Angeles police de partment, arrived here at noon today after Ito, the Japanese, who was arrested by Policeman Wilson on the arrival of the ship Berlin from Alaska, on a charge of murdering K. Okazakl in . Los Angeles on February 4. last. White has known Ito for several years and immediately identified him as the man wanted and Ito made no attempt to deny his Identity. In fact, in conversa tion with the detectives he admitted com mitting the crime, but said no one had paid him to do it. He claimed that Okasaki had tried to get him to kill T. Uyehara, who Is king of the Japanese Highbinder society In Los Angeles, and for that reason he shot Okazakl, at a supper which Ito gave and Invited his victim to come as a guest. Ito, who Is a noted highbinder, is said to have killed two Japanese in the State of Washington, but escaped capture. It Is a rule among the highbinders that when one of the number accepts a com mission to commit murder, he cuts the first Joint of his little finger on his left hand and gives It to the society king as a pledge. Ito cut off a portion of his little finger last January, and the officers believe it was a pledge to the society that he would murder Okazaki. Ito will be taken to Los Angeles for trial, but the detectives will remain here for a few days before starting on their re turn trip. MAM FRS' MISTAKE) PEOPLE'S GAIN 25,000 Stock New Fall Style Shoes Labeled Incorrectly. Adrr.lt mistake ana order shoes sold. Bannister. Kneeland Slater and Moral, $6 and $7 grades, $3.85; $4 and $5 grades, $2.85; women's $3.50 and $4 grades, $2.4o. Dellar. 291 Morrison, bet. 4th and 5th. PORTLAND IS BE CORD BREAKER Over 25,000 People in Attend ance at State Fair Grounds at Salem. CROWD PULLS UP FENCE Impatient to Enter Grandstand. Track Lined With Spectators for Quarter of Mile Trotting Record. Is Broken. SALEM, Or., Sept. 17. (Special.) Over 25.000 people attended the State Fair to day, Portland cay, thus breaking ell pre vious records. The crush at the grand stand this afternoon exceeded that of yes terday, and not only was the grandstand packed by about 6500 people, but the race track on both the outside and Inside was bordered with a dense mass of people for a distance of over a quarter of a mile. And with this immense throng at the track, all other parts of the grounds were crowded at the same time. Early this morning all the main roads leading into Salem assumed the appear ance of a line of march for a farmers' procession. The visitors came by team from as far away as Independence, Dal las. McMinnvIlIe, Silverton and Stayton, and by the time each city, village and hamlet had sent its quota, the total made up an almost continuous stream of vehi cles coming into Salem. Arrive by Wagons and Trains. The excursion trains from Portland brought several thousand, the exact num ber being unknown. The day was perfect, the fair at its best, the races unusually Interesting and everybody in good humor. Fortunately a very large proportion of the visitors brought lunch baskets, otherwise many would have gone hungry, for the restaurants and lunch counters were crowded till long after the noon hour. As it was. all were provided for. To greet Oregon's athletic heroes who recently returned - with laurels won in the world's Olympic games; to see the Lone Oak track trotting record and the 3-yar-old pace records broken and to wit ness a parade of the prize-winning live stock, the best and most valuable assem blage of stock anywhere in the United States, were the special privileges en Joyed by the visitor to the fair grounds today. The livestock parade took place this forenoon. Heretofore the parade has been held on a small track east of the pavilion. This year the crowd of spec tators was so ,great that it was necessary to conduct the parade on the racetrack. New Track Record Is Set. The breaking of the Lone Oak track trotting record occurred In the 2:14 trot for the Lewis and Clark purse of $500. The previous record was that of R. Ambush, 2:11, in 1907. The record was broken In the first heat of the 2:14 trot today, when Joe McGuire's Day Break made the mile In 2:llj. In the second heat the same horse reduced the record to 2:W. The Olympic victors were the special guests of the fair management, and dur ing the races were Introduced to the audi ence by Governor Chamberlain. The crowd went wild with enthusiasm, and after greeting them with hearty applause gave three cheers as a further expression of appreciation. There were numerous calls for speeches from Smlthson, Gilbert and Kelly, but the calls had no other ef fect than to cause the athletes manifest embarrassment and to induce them to get off the judges' platform as quickly as they could. Impatient Crowd Pulls Up Fences. lTp to a late hour tonight nothing had occurred to mar the pleasure of the day, except that in the 2:14 trot a collision be tween Berta Mac, driven by Helman, and Delia Derby, driven by Whitehead, result ed In Helman being thrown from his sulky. He was somewhat bruised, but after resting for a few moments was in condition to resume his place in the race. The crowd refused to be controlled, and as good-natured In its unruliness. Be fore the gates to the grandstand were opened a crowd had gathered large enough to fill the vast structure. Many of those who came early became impatient and pulled up the fence, but they will ingly paid their admission fees. During the races many people stood in the aisles so that those seated could not see. The Judges and other officers tried In vain to keep the crowd seated, but whenever a race was in progress every body stood up, laughed at the officials and enjoyed the race. Had the day been hot Instead of cool, the crowd, under the circumstances, would very likely have been in poor temper. Starter R. L. Har riman, who has been criticised for being slow in getting races started, has al ways had the drivers in good humor and AT TRADE-BUILDING SAM Ai. t 3MS am-:. v:$. MA 3 - V? There are no secret reasons for the wonderful growth of this business everything is well defined and apparent to even the most casual observer. . "Everlastingly giving the best values," "Selling absolutely dependable merchandise at all times," "Making good every spoken or printed statement," are some of the things that have placed this store at the front in clothing selling on the Pacific Coast. Necessity compelled us to double the size of the store.. We want to be placed in a position where we will be obliged to en large our quarters again and again. To gain that point we are simply outdoing any and all our previous efforts in value-giving. What we are doing is told in a few bold words. Read on: AH Our $15, $17.50, $18.50, $20, $22.50, $25, $27.50 and $30 Suits on Sale at 1: l'r- ,?.fW'-;-i hift: 1 G-473 . rownsvme THIRD AND STARK STS. 21 A Style for Every Taste If your desire leans to the novelty effects, cuffs, welt seams, flaps on the pockets, and so on; or if your taste runs to the more unobtrusive lines, you'll be able to find just what you want in the collection. There are blues, blacks, browns, grays and pin checks; in short, no matter what your suit fancy may be, you can gratify it here at very small cost. But no matter which suit you select, it's certain to be a bargain in the best and truest sense of the word. Our Fall and Winter Catalogue Is Ready If you live at too great a distance to visit this store in person, why then, send for onr new Catalogue. It is filled from cover to cover with splendid bargain news. A postal - card reauest brines it to you. Don't delay in getting a copy, for it's worth your while. w ooien ore "MILL-TO-MAN CLOTHIERS" PORTLAND, OREGON there has apparently been good feeling among them. The 2:14 trot was, of course, the big event of the day. For some reason the impression had become general that Warlo & "Walton's Nogi might be a win ner, though Berta Mac was probably the favorite, and up at the beginning of the home stretch in the first heat it seemed that the expectations of Nogi's admirers would be fulfilled, hut by a phenomenal burst of speed McGuire's Day Break forged to the front, winning by a length with Vallejo Girl third and Berta Mac seventh. In the second heat Day Break won by a length, with F. E. Ward's Emmy W. second and Berta Mac a close third. Nogi fourth. The third heat, though the slowest of the race, was the most exciting at the finish because of a spurt by which Delia Derby came within a few Inches of defeating Berta Mac for second place, Day Break again leading by a length. In the first race, the 3-year-old pace, E. S. Train's Ray o' Light reduced the Oregon record for 3-year-olds from 2:16 to 2:09. In the 2:16 pace Joseph ine won in three straight heats, but in the third had a lead of but a nose over Tom Murphy, who made a terrific spurt In the last 200 yards. The summary of today's events fol lows: Three-year old pace, toOO Ray o' Light first, Mnrtrix and Cora second and third. Pet Palestine third: time. 2:0"4. 21 pace. $S(0 Josephine first. Tom Mur Bhy second. Kenwest third: time, 2:09. 2-14 trot, $oOOO Day Break first. Bertha Maik second. Nogi third; time. 2:10. Running, three-fourtns mile, $100 Forest Rose first. Galves second. Ransack third; time. 1:U. GREAT REJOICING IX BENTON' Winning of State Fair Prize Second Time Is Occasion of Joy. CORVALLIS, Or., Sept. 17. (Special.) "When the news reached here that the Benton County exhibit at the State Fair had again been awarded first prize, gen uine enthusiasm was manifested about the Commercial Club, and now there is talk of celebrating this victory In proper style. Today flags are flying from pub lic buildings and prominent business houses, and last night the news of the victory at the State Fair was flashed on the curtains of the electric theaters in this city. Booster Bob Johnson has been beside himself with Joy and Is planning to utilize the award to great advantage in a new advertising scheme. Frank Groves, who has a "Hood River" apple orchard at the edge of Corvallis, worked up the Benton exhibit this year, and is certain of a royal welcome on his return. MOSES WILL HOLD OFFICE Ex-Clerk Vincent, of Benton County Loses Contest Case. CORVALLIS, Or., Sept. 17. (Special.) The election contest proceeding filed by ex-County Clerk T. T.- "Vincent has been dismissed and' Victor Moses declared elected Clerk of Benton County. The de cision was handed down by Judge L. T. Harris Thursday morning. In reaching his conclusion Judge Harris passed upon about 250 ballots, with the result that the majority of Moses was increased from three to ten votes. The trial developed that there was more or less carelessness on the part of election Judges and finally on the part of Clerk Vincent, who was custodian of the ballots, but Judge Harris makes it clear that he found no evidence of any ballots having been tampered with. This case occupied the court's atten tion fully two weeks about two months ago, and the costs are considerable. These are taxed up against the plaintiff. HISTORIC SITE SELECTED Proposed Location Bishop Scott Academy Is Hallowed Ground. McMINNVVILLE, Or., Sept. 17. (Spe cial ) The announcement that the Episcopal Church intended to re-establish the Bishop Scott Academy in this county is hailed with a great degree of sentimental pride here, since "iamhill County Is the mother of Episcopalianism In the West. . It was in 1848 that Bishop Richmond came to what is now the Torrence place near North Yamhill, and held the first regular Episcopal service in Oregon, if not the first West of the Rocky Moun tains He contemplated starting a church school at his home, but was forced to give that up. The site of Bishop Richmond s home was near the 1016-acre Oak Hill farm, which the county records show has been purchased from Blandherrlng by Dr. Morrison, rector of Trinity Episco pal Church, Portland. The Episcopal Diocese It Is understood, has acquired 100 acres of this farm, upon which the academy will be established. CAME FROM OREGON CITY Man Killed by Train Was Lost Last Summer for Days. . OREGON" CITY. Or., Sept 17.-(Special.) Henry Nelson, who was killed in Fort land last Tuesday by a freight train, is the same man who created a sensation by mysteriously disappearing from his home at Clackamas Heights about two months ago. Nelson was Just recovering from an attack of typhoid fever, and his mother Raw him iu the yard at their home and called him to come in doors. Surprised to not find him In the house a little later, she made a vain search- for him. Nel son had disappeared, and for nine daya his anxious relatives searched the coun try for miles around, and after they had concluded he was dead. Nelson returned. He had been in the timber not more than a mile from the house, and had subsisted on berries. His mind was not clear and he had no recollection of his actions while he was absent. He will be burled tomorrow afternoon, the funeral being held from the family residence. TO CONTROL FRUIT OUTPUT Applejrrowers of Walla Walla Pro pose to Organize Combine. WALLA WALLA, Wash., Sept. 17.-. (Special.) A special meeting ' of apple-! growers of the Walla Walla Valley has)1 been called to meet in the Courthouse, at' 1 o'clock Monday, for . the purpose of j organizing an applegrowers' combine td secure better prices for fruit and plan efforts to successfully combat any ad)-; vanceg in transportation rates. The plan is not a new one here, as itj has been discussed by growers for some time. With the exception of some new; ideas for operation, the organization will probably adopt a method of procedural similar to that now in force in fruit-j men's combines in Wenatchee and North)! Yakima. , It has been prominently brought to thai; knowledge of applegrowers here that Walla "Walla fruits are equal in flavor, and Quality to any grown in the state, but they do not sell as well as those! from more widely-known districts. 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