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About St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 7, 1908)
CICty ST. JOHNS REVIEW t I IT'S NOW UP TO YOU J GET IN THE HABIT Ot advertblnt In The Review and you'll nerer rtfret It. De lia at ones and keep right at It t t To Mbacrlb (or Th Rtvhw. AHjlh mwi white It U n( b oar motto, CaH In and enroll J t Devoted (o (he Interest of the Peninsula, the Manufacturing Center of the Northwest VOL. 4 ST. JOHNS, OREGON, FRIDAY, I'BBRUARY 7. 1908. NO. 13 STEP TOWARD SINGLE TAX THE CITY FATHERS IN SESSION STATE C. CONVENTION Eighteenth State Convention Meets at Eugene This Year-Fire Chiefs Visit School Oregon Tax Reform Association Files Petition with Secretary of State Signed by Thousands The petition for the submission of the constitutional amendment drafted by the Oregon Tax Reform association litis just been filed with the secretary of state. The signers came from nil parts of the state in such numbers that it is the strong est petition ever submitted. That these signatures, numbering several thousand more than the number required by law, were obtained more easily than other petitions, indicates widespread interest in this amendment. It proposes a decided step toward the single tax; as far in that direc tion as conditions in Oregon arc thought to permit taxing laud values (not acres) and exempting (the text of the amendment reads) "all dwelling houses, barns, sheds, outhouses and nil other ap purtenances thereto, nil fences, nil machinery and buildings used ex clusively tor manufacturing pur poses, and the nppurtcuauccs thereto, all fences, farm machinery and appliances used as such, fruit trees, vines, shrubs and Some object to the proposition because It exempts buildings and machinery of manufacturers from taxation. It docs so. In this con nection, say well informed men, Oregon is asked to follow well trodden paths. It is pointed out that Oregon has most favorable natural opportunities and conditions for the establishment of mauufac luring enterprises. Other states have exempted manufacturing buildings from tnxntiou because it was found to aid development, en banco laud values, attract other forms of capital, as well as populn tion, and worked to the general good without a single exception. some think the farmer would nnvc to pay as much taxes as ever because, to exempt improvements, live stock, machinery, etc., would simply double the tuxes 011 hU laud and thereby leave the producing agriculturist where he is now. That would be so if the farmer owned the land values in Oregon all j but to bciu with, two-thirds of the all land values of Oregon are in cities. other improvements on farms, all Laud for purposes of taxation is live stock, nil household furniture measured by n dollar. A section in use, and all tools owned by, of laud in some parts of Oregon workmen and in use, shall be ex empt from taxation." Many of the greatest Americans of all political laitiis, nave en dorsed the principles embodied in this umcudmeul. Among them, Senator LaFollctte, Gov. Folk, Tom Johnson, Henry George, Win. Lloyd Garrison, Lyman Abbott, and ex-Governors Douglas and Garvin. They sympathize with the idea of raising the needed rev enues for carrying on our govern ment, and at the same time dis courage laud monopoly, by taxing land and franchise values more, and exempting improvements and personal property. would be dear ut 640 but n few square feet of land in Portland arc worth more than many sections of such lauds. Recently reul estate transactions in that city showed that there ure 80 acres, woitli on the average ft ,600,000 each. An acre of this land is worth as much as 33,000 acres of the best farming land in the state, estimating it, devoid of improvements, ut $50 er ucrc. Farmers now pay more than 50 per cent of state taxes while num bering less than 25 per cent of the population. nut as long as the farmer's improvements arc taxable, they cannot escape, as they are not OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Regular Weekly Accumulation of Municipal Business Taken Up and Disposed of as Seemeth Most Wise to the Dads o o THE TROLLEY WAY Is the only way to secure immediate delivery of your goods at the most reasonable of transportation rates. Therefore ring up the PORTLAND & SUBURBAN EXPRESS GO. Operating electric freight cars between St. Johns and Portland. We call for uud check your trunks direct to destination. Turn your trunk checks and shipping receipts over to us and your goods will receive prompt attention We have teams connecting with cars at St. Johns and Portland. Get our rates before shipping. Special rates on car load lots. Experienced and courteous employes. Phone Main 358, Portland office. Phone Main A 3358. First and Flanders Streets. The 45th session of the city council convened in the council chamber Tuesday evening and after the preliminary sparring the mayor suspended the regular roti tine and gave some visitors an opportunity to display their oratory respecting the merits of their schemes: Mr. Ireland representing Heal & Co. manufacturers, agents for road machines and rock crushers was the first victim and spent about an hour explaining the merits of his various machines and stated he had rock crushers varying in prices from $1300 to 4000 and of all styles. Mis stock of road rollers was not so varied and he did not give prices. He was followed by Mr. Hick- man for the Pacific States telephone company, who asked permission to ay underground conduit for his wires from New York street to about the French block along Jer sey street and from Jersey street west along Philadelphia and Utir- iugton street to Hayes. 1 he coun cil granted the request by resolu tion, as it was in accordance witli the terms of their franchise. The recorder reported that the Home telephone company had com plied with the terms of their fran chise in the payment of the $200 compensation for the same, but has done no work toward cstab- isliing an office here or erecting tics. The Pacific States has begun the work of hauling poles and Mr. Hickman stated that the work would be pushed vigorously aud a central office put in here as soon ns possible. Tins should give St. Johns vastly better service than she has been used to aud wc hope t will be done for the service now is abominable aud is in fact almost worthless. A petition was presented asking for an arc light at the intersection of John nnd Grcsham streets and was referred to the committee on water aud light. A deed from Nancy Caplcs con veying an extension of Tyler street to the city was read and referred j to the street committee for the necessary action. On motion of King the following bills were allowed and ordered paid: W. K. Godscy, ironwork on doors, $6; C. 15. Whecloek, rent of wagon in work about the city hall, $3; Hendricks Hardware Co., stove, etc., $4.70; St. Johns nice- trie works, wiring, etc, $2.20: St. Johns Review, 559.25; C. II. Der- ric, 3.50,' Couch Co., S2.35; Potter & Goold, $16.85; St. Johns Lumber Co., wood for sick family, $4; K. 13. Goad, labor, $7; I?. A. Hulsey, $7; Jas. McClenuaii, So. 'ivi.i r ... 1. in.. .. o. n.. ..... auiiii vi i 1)1113 ruiioi jn iiiu tion of Dobic after some discussion the bill of $538 for the heater of the city hall in favor of McPhcrson Co. was allowed. The report of the ferry commit tee was deferred until next week. Alderman Leggett reported that he had been to sec the commissioners, and as usual Judge Webster was 1 "busy" another member was nwnyi iu Culifomia aud one was out of second to the motion and it passed to ballot, Walker and Leggett vot iug for tbc ordinance aud the other five voting no. Ordinance controlling the con struction ot cement sidewalks was presented and railroaded through to publication. It aptrcars in this issue. The city engineer reported that he had completed fire hydrant maps and also city boundary maps for the use of the department and voters respectively. There was nothing doing in the way of improving the streets and if wc might be able to suggest that the time is rapidly drawing near when the utmost activity will be necessary in order to meet the re quirement!) of the city iu this line, it looks like all arrangements for gravel or crushed rock should be completed as early as twssiblc. If I this is not done another summer is , liable to pass like to last without .anything substantial being done ! on these streets. One thing we will have nueugiii town. The board is to meet todav Placed in llie - - ' I 1 T and Mr. Leggett cxikcIs to sec them then. It was the sense of the council that the bill of Mr. Whyte for wir ing the city hall should stand as recommended by the committee, aud the recorder was instructed to so inform him. . 1 1 lie pool room ordinance was ccr to superintend t lie work nnd will not have to defer any work on that account. The principal streets along the car line aud particularly u the business section should be very best possible condition, Jersey street should have some kind of pavement. The streets leading into it should be graded and graveled for several blocks each side at least nnd many other streets such as I'illmorc, luli son, Tacoma, Haltlmorc, Chicago, l'csscudeu, New York and others that have not been improved should Plans for the eighteenth state convention of the Oregon Christian Endeavor union to be held iu Ku gene, February 20 to 23 inclusive, arc well under way. The state president, Rev. C. T. Hurd, of Corvallis, announces that a strong set of speakers is being secured for the'eonvention. The list includes Rev. L. R. Dyott, pastor of the First UCongrcgational church of fire in the stairway the pupils would not be cut off from nil exit. While there Professor Alderson gave an exhibition fire drill and cleared the building of every pupil in a little over three minutes aud assured the boys that the next time they came they would clear the building iu less than three min utes. The fire boys think the pro- lessor nnu tne school nave the fire- Portland; W. II. Poulks, pastor of I drill down fine, and with the fire the Pirst Presbyterian church of Portland; President P. L. Cuinnbell ot tne university ot Oregon; Pres ident Kerr ot tne Oregon Agricu tural college: Revs. J. I. Kvans. D. A. 'Ihompson, A. A. Winter and others. The program is not vet complete. but it includes conferences for the delegates, and open meetings for the people of Kuuene: also three simultaneous meetings for Sunday afternoon, the last day of the con ventionone each for men. women and children. The railroads have granted the usual one and one-third fare to all delegates, r.ugeiie hudcavorcrs have oruiiti- i.ed the necessary committees, aud will provide entertainment for all accredited delegates. II. A. Scul- leu is chairman of the entertain ment committee, and all names of delegates should be sent to him. 1 here are between 200 and ioo of the Christian Kudeavor societies u the state, aud an attendance of fully 200 delegates is expected. presented by motion for its final , "' Rrniica and graveled. If this passage by Councilman Leggett. 1 can be done in the early spring and After cons derail e sou rm Itur ami hummer, next winter Will not mm insistence upon the part of the w streets iu the disgroceful con mayor, who insisted tipoti some dltlon so much iu evidence this sort of action, Walker gave his winter. Phone Woodlawn 818. W. STEARNS Agent at St. Johns. Office 105 E. Burlington street. OOQ( KUtUihc4 1681 a New York City A. U N G E R MAKKK OH THK FAMOUS LA CADIZA, 10 cent nd EL ROYAL, 5 cent Full line of Smokers' Supplies Central Cigar Store, Next to Bauk. Cigar ST. JOHNS BRICK CO. Manufacturers of Clay Brick and Pressed Brick. Plastering Sand on bauds at all times. Orders solicited. ittttttttfttttt tttttttttttti H. HENDERSON 205 Jmcy st Real Estate, Loans, Insurance Abstracts of Title Prepared. Accurate Work Guaranteed of the nature to be hid. If the farmer has anything exempt, it must be exempted ocn and above board by law. The laud held in cities, for water power, for timber and minerals, for speculative pur poses and rights of way iu various forms, far exceeds the value of the laud owned by the working farmers of Oregon. The main tax burden will be shifted to valuable locations iu cities and railroad franchises, which values are mainly made up by tribute paid by the industry and improvements of the rest of the state, aud should justly bear the burden. The proposed amendment is practical, up to date, its provisions have been tested and worked. The people of Oregon will have this question before them for four months. They will hear much of it. The headquarters of the Ore gon Tax Reform association arc at room 705 Marquam building, for the present, nnd they are glad to give out information to all who may ask for it. "The Alan From Oregon." Delegates from all over the Unit ed States were assembled iu con vention of the National Grand Lodge of Good Templars last July in Seattle. Mrs. h S. Vander voort of Salem, Ore. uud Francis J. McIIcury of Portland, were the sole representatives of our Mute iu that notable convention of eminent men uud women. Mr. McIIcury first attracted attention therein in seconding the nomination of the Hon. Geo. F. Cotterill, as National Chief Templar. That nnd other good work for the cause of temper auce during the convention caused him to be hailed as the man from Oregon uh later selected as the national grand marshal, which po sition he still holds, which was, however, an honor that Oregon's small membership hardly entitled it to at the time. Since returning from there he has been iu constant demand, aud answering as much as his business will permit to con. slant culls for talks on temperance, even having made u trip back to the Sound country at behest of the Washington Grand Lodge. Sev ernl of the St. Johns temperance workers Dave arranged with Mr. Me Henry to give an address here next Tuesday night in Ilickner's hall. Everybody is invited, His subject will be "Intoxicants His torically Treated." Don't fail to hear him. The Fire Chief Barnev Noonan. first assistant, Adam Kaeinlein aud second assistant, W. 15. Coon, vis ited the Central school last Friday and inspected it from a professional standpoint ond reported that the building was within the pale of the law iu all resects, except that there should be fire cscutcs from me upper uoor so mat in case of a escapes so that the pupils could make an exit even if the stairs were on fire, there would be no possibility of the young jniople being burned, but these fire escapes are necessary for safety and that if the stairs should be burned so ns to cut off exit there the pupils would have to jump from the upper win dows and many would be injured or killed. Vote Against Annexation. At n meeting of the citi.eus held iu Woodstock last week to discuss annexation with representatives from Creston, Arleta. Woodinere. and Woodstock the vote tnkun after the discussion resulted iu 1.1 against annexation to ti for it. 1 his from n section where thearuu- uients iu favor of annexation are too to one as compared with St. Johns. When these people, who have some chance to gain some thing, and nothing particularly to lose, vote ugajust annexation what must one think of the sucrlativcly idiotic idea of St. Johns votinir for annexation. A man who would wish to vote uwuy his birtlirluht iu such n manner should have a guar dian appointed to shield him irom the consequence of his own incom petence. J. C. Aiken, who has been ill with the grip for the past two or three weeks returned to his work again this week. Al. L. 1 101. It ROOK C. li. HAIUiV If you want job printing once, bring it in now. done at r Whitwood Court The grandest view in America To Sce Whitwood Court 's t0 Buv Lots . . . $100 to $300 Acre tracts 200 to 300 RICHARD SHEPARD & CO. HON. Jersey Street, St. Johns, Oregon j St. Johns Land Co. The Largest and Oldest Real Estate Firm in St. Johns. East St. Johns The center of the great development now taking place on the Peninsula. We have only a few business lots left on Columbia, Boulevard, which for a short time only will be sold at present prices. Some fine residence lots still on sale. Choice manufacturing sites adjoining the 0. R. & N. railroad for sale on reasonable terms. Holbrook's Addition We have some choice lots in the vicinity of the new $20,000 school building now in course of construc tion. Call at our office for prices aud terms for either of these desirable tracts. St. Johns Phonc Union 3104 QregOIl ' . O ( t L t . s i ft t i EDMONDSON CO., Plumbing and Tinning . Phone Kast 6311 203 Jersey Street St. Johns, Ore. --- t Clark & Wilson Lumber UNNTON, OREGON Lumber Manufacturers PRICKS QUOTKD ON APPLICATION