Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Lexington wheatfield. (Lexington, Or.) 1905-19?? | View Entire Issue (Dec. 20, 1906)
Proposed Oregon Tax Law (Continued from last week) (Assessor to give notice of meeting of board of equalization.) Ruction 3(1. That section 3000 of the Codes and Statutes of Oregon, compiled and annotated by Hon. CharleH B. Bel linger ami William W. Cotton, bo and the mime hereby is amended to read us follows: Each assessor shall give three weeks' public notice In some newspaper print ed In IiIh respective county; if there be no such newspaper, then by posting up notice In six conspicuous places in his county, setting forth that on the first Monday In October the board of equali zation will attend, at the court-house In his county, and publicly examine the nsssesment rolls, and correct all errors in valuation, description, or qualities of lands, lots, or ot her property assessed by such assessor; and it shall be the duty of persons interested to appear at the time and place appointed. l'rool of such notice, if published in a news paper, shall be made by affidavit as pro vided by law, filed with the clerk of the county where the newspaper is printed, on or before the first Monday in Octo ber in the year when such notice is printed; if such notice be posted, proof 'thereof shall bo made by the aflidavit of the assessor or his deputy, setting out the timo, manner, and place of post ing such notices, filed with the clerk of the county on or before the first Mon day in October in the year when such posting is made. (OliaiiKfH the dato of meeting of the hoard of equalization an Hponillod in the notice, from the last Monday in August to the firm Monday In Octuher; provide fur perpetuating the fact of JuriHdictlou of tho board by requiring proof to lie filed on the kIvIiik of notleu, and preserlb 1 n K the form, suction HOfiO contain laiiKuaj?e rucitliiK the duty of the board to make correc tioiiH, utc.wlilch In almost a literal duplicate of suction WiHO, 11. & C. Comp. Thin lias been omitted an not properly belonging in anuction which merely prescribes what notice shall be given of the meeting.) Word "assessor" Bhall include his deputy.) Section 37. The word "assessor," as used in this act, shall be taken to in clude his deputy. (New) (County court may appoint special as sessor in event of failure of assessor to act.) Section 38. In event of the fail ure of the assessor to commence or con tinuously and vigorously prosecute the making of the assessment in the manner provided by law, the county court may summarily appoint a special assessor, who shall qualify in the same manner as the assessor, and who shall have all the duties, rights, privilgees, and emol uments of the assessor in making the assessment for the current year, and whose acts shall have the same effect as if the same had been done by the as eessor. (Intended to provide a way to escape from the situation in which one county of the Btate found Itself in l'joa, when the assessor did not make th assessment and the county court undertook to appoint a deputy who actually made the assessment. The validity of the assess ment was assailed by heavy taxpayers, but has not yet been determined. This contingency may occur in any of the counties of the state, and the public should not be prejudiced by the failure of an assessor to act as neither mandamus nor removal from oftice would give speedy and ade quate relief as against a recalcitrant assessor.) (Repealing section.) Section 39. That sections 2709, 2710 , 3041, 3042, 3044, and 3059 of the Codes and Statutes of Oregon, com piled and annotated by Hon. Charles B. Bellinger and William W. Cotton, be and the same hereby are repealed. That all acts and parts of acts in con flict herewith be and the same hereby are repealed. (1. Sections 2709 and 2710 have long been obsolete; they provide for the assessment and collection of taxes, and equalization by the city and its officers. Compare section 8008. 2. The assessors of the state in annual conven tions have twice recommended the abolition of the tl noli tax. or ita transfer to the S3 road poll tax. 8. Laws of 1903, page 286, covers the same ground as section 304; and see sec tion 6 of this act. 4. Section 3044 is included in section 8056, providing for the assessment of all lands, which, pt course, includes that ot corporations. 6. Section 8059 is merged with section 8070 in drafting section 23 of this act.) (Saving clause as to assessment for cur rent year.) Section 40. ' That, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this act contained, the provisions hereof shall not apply either as to the property sub ject to assessment or the mode of assess ment thereof, to the assessment which but for this act would be made in the year 1907 upon the basis of ownership and valuation of property March 1, 1907 ; but the statutes which have here tofore been in force shall continue in full force as to the assessment for that year until all things in and about the same, necessary to a valid assessment for taxation, shall have been done as fully as if this act had not been enacted A BILL. For an act to provide a more efficient and equitable system for the assessment of bank stocks, shares and banking capital for taxa tion; to define what bank stocks, shares, and banking capital shall be subject to assessment and taxation, to whom assessed and taxed: to define the duties of the county assessor in reference to the assessment of the same; to prescribe the manner of determining the cash value of such banking stock, shares, and banking capital; to prescribe the duties of the companies, corporations, associations, copart nerships, and persons subject to the pro visions of this act, and the cashier, manag ing officer, or accounting officer of either of them; and to provide penalties for the vio lation of such duties; to create a charge for the payment of taxes on dividends, stock, shares, and banking capital; to provide for the sale to pay delinquent taxes thereon of shares, stocks, and other interests; to amend an act entitled "To fix the place of assessing national bank stock and private banks, loan and trust companies," approved February 24, 1003: to repeal sections 8042, 8008, 8004, 8005, 3007, and 8008 of the Codes and Stat utcs of Oregon, compiled and annotated b; lion. Charles B. llellinger and William Cotton, and to repeal ail acts and parts of acts In conflict herewith Be It enacted by the people of the state of Oregon; (Assessment and, taxation of stock and shares in national and state banks.) Section 1 . The stockholders or share holders of every corporation bank locat ed within this state, engaged princi pally in the business of banking, lend ing money, receiving money on deposit, buying or selling bullion, bills of ex change, notes, bonds, stocks, or other evidences of indebtedness, a view to profit, whether such bank be organized for banking purposes under the laws of this state or of the United States, shall be assessed and taxed on. the value of their shares of stock therein. Such shares shall be assessed only with re gard to the ownership and value thereof on the first day of March, at the hour of 1 o'clock a. m., in each year, at the place required by law. ' (Statement to bo furnished assessor by cashier or accounting officer.) Section 2. To aid the assessor in de terming the value of such shares of stock, the cashier or other accounting officer of every such bank mentioned in the first section of this act is hereby re quired to furnish a statement to the as sessor of the county where the same is located, between the first day of April and the fifteenth day of May in each year, verified by oath, showing the amount and number of such shares of the capital stock of such bank, the amount of its Burplus or reserve funds, and the amount of its undivided profits at the hour of 1 o'clock a. m. of the first day of March preceding, the actual and cash value of all real estate owned by it in this state, or elsewhere, and the location of the same ; also the cash value of the securities of the United States owned by it. (Ascertainment of value of stock De ductions for real estate and exempt property.) Section 3. Real estate owned by such bank and situate in this state shall be assessed and taxed as other real estate is assessed and taxed. The assessor shall deduct the amount of all. investments in real estate from the ag gregate amount of such capital stock, surplus fund, and undivided profit, and the remainder shall be taken as a basis for the valuation of such shares of stock in the hands of the stockholders sub ject to the provisions of law requiring all property to be assessed and taxed at its full and actual cash value. (Shares of national banks not located within state exempt.) Section 4 . The shares of capital stock of national banks not located in this Btate, held in this state, shall not be required to be assessed or taxed (Bank to keep and furnish, list of stock holders.) Section 5. In every bank and bank ing office mentioned in section 1 of this act there shall be kept at all times a full and correct list of the names and residences of stockholders, owners, and parties interested therein, showing the number of shares and the amount held, ownea, or controlled. Dy eacn party in interest, which list shall be subject to the inspection of the officers authorized to assess propeity for taxation. It shall be the duty of the cashier or other accounting officer of each bank or bank ing institution to furnish the assessor with a copy of such list annually, be tween the first day of April and the fif teenth day of May in each year, show ing the facts in this section specified as of the hour of 1 o'clock a. m. on the first day of March previous. (Assessment of foreign banks, etc., and local companies and persons not prin cipally engaged in banking.) Section 6. Every company, associa' tion, building and loan association, trust company, or other corpora tion, joint stock company, or copart nership, or person, not incorporat ed for banking purposes under the corporation laws of this state or of the United States, who shall keep an office or place of business and engage in the business of banking, lending money, receiving money on deposit, buying selling bullion, bills of exchange, notes, bonds, stocks, or other evidences of indebtedness, with a view to profit; and it is hereby made the duty of the cashier, managing officer, and account ing officer of every company or associa- tion, including building and loan and trust companies, incorporated under the laws of this state which engages in, but not as its principal business, the business of banking, lending of money, the receiving of money on deposit, buy ing and selling bullion, bills of exchange, notes, bonds, stock, or other evidences of indebtedness, with a view to profit, between the first day of April and the fifteenth day of May in each year, to make out and furnish to the assessor statement, setting forth and showing such reference to such banking business in this state on the first day of March of the current year at the hour of o'clock a. m.: 1. The amount of money on hand and amount of money in transit. 2. The amount of funds in the hands of other banks, bankers,' brokers, or others subject to draft. 3. Tho ainountt of checks or other cash items not included in any of the preceding items. 4. The amount of bills receivable, discounted, or purchased, and other credits due or to become due, including accounts receivable, intereHt due and unpaid; also the value of such bills re ceivable, notes, and credits. 5. The amounts of stocks and bonds of every kind, and shares of every kind, and shares of the capital stock or joint stock or other companies or corporations held as an investment, or in ary way representing assets, showing and deducting therefrom se curities of the United States and other such stocks, bonds, and shares which are exempt from taxation, if any, and also showing those subject to taxation, and the amount of each ; also showing the value of such bonds, stocks, and shares. 6. All other property pertaining to its business other than real estate (which real estate shalfbe assessed and taxed as other real estate is' assessed and taxed). 7. The amount of deposits. 8. The aggregate amount of the above first, second and third items shall be listed, and the aggregate amount of the taxable property embraced in the fourth, fifth and sixth items "above shall be listed, and from the aggregate sum of said first, second and third items, and the aggregate sum of the taxable prop erty embraced in the fourth, fifth and sixth items, there shall be deducted the amount of the above seventh item, and the amount remaining shall be assessed to each company, association, or person at its full amount as money and credits, the same as other property is assessed, at the place required by law. (Taxes to be a charge on dividends, stock and banking capital Sale for tax.) Section 7. To secure the payment of taxes on bank stocks or shares, or upon banking capital, such taxes are hereby made a charge upon said shares of stock or banking capital or interest against which the said taxes are assessed and levied, and upon any dividend or divi dends thereon. It shall be the duty of every bank, or the managing officer or officers thereof, to retain so much of any dividend or dividends belonging to such stockholders, shareholders, or owners as shall be necessary to pay any tax assessed and levied upon their shares of stock or interest respectively until it shall have been made to appear to such bank or its officers that such taxes have been paid. Any officer of any bank who shall pay over, or autho rize the paying over, of any such divi dend or dividends, or any portion there of, contrary to the provisions of this section, shall thereby become liable for such taxes. If such taxes shall not be paid before the same become delin quent, on or immediately after the first Monday in May in each year, the tax collector of the county where such bank is located shall proceed to sell such share or shares, stock, or interest to pay the same, together with interest, accruing interest, penalties, and other lawful charges, in the same manner other personal property is sold for de linquent taxes, and In case of such sale the provisions of law in regard to the transfer of stock when sold on execution shall apply to such sale. (Penalty for neglect or refusal to furn ish statement required.) Section 8. The cashier, managing or other accounting officer of any company, association, copartnership, or person who shall neglect or refuse to make and furnish any statement required by this act of such person or such company, as sociation, copartnership, or persons, within the time and in the manner by this act provided, shall forfeit the sum of $1,000 for each offense, to be recov ered by indictment, for the use of the county in which said bank is located. (Penalty for making or furnishing false or fraudulent list or statement.) i Section 9. The cashier, managing or other accounting officer of any company, association, copartnership, or person who shall willfully present to or furn ish the county assessor with any state ment required by this act, which state ment shall be false or fraudulent, shall be deemed guilty of perjury, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by law as otherwise provided for such crime. (Repealing clause.) Section 10. Thatsections 3042, 3063, 3064, 3065, 3067 and 3068 of the Codoes and Statutes of Oregon, compil ed and annotated by Hon. Charles B. Bellinger and William W. Cotton, and all acts and parts of acts 'in conflict herewith, be and the same hereby are repealed. (To be continued next week) Stealing a March. "Ilang it all I" exclaimed Mr. Sububs, arriving home from the office, "we'll have to call on the Dubleys to-night." "Why, George, you said you wanted to stay home with me In comfort to night," exclaimed bis wife. "Yes, but Dubley told Balklotz he and his wife meant to call on us 'to-night. We can leave their house earlier thaa we could make them leave ours." Philadelphia Press. IMPROVE COAL LAW Congress Will Endeavor to Help Situation This Session. MANY DEFECTS IN PRESENT LAW Was Passed for Benefit of Individual. Who is Unable to Work Land After Taking It. Washington, Dec. 15. Strenuous efforts will be made at the present ses sion of congress to secure the repeal or modification of the coal land law along the lines recommended by President Roosevelt in his message. That some thing will be accomplished seems quite probable, but what form of law will be substituted for that under which gi gantic frauds have been perpetrated has not yet been made apparent. The in fluence of the administration will be behind a bill proposing to cut off fur ther sales of government coal land, though permitting them to be worked by individuals or companies on a royal ty plan. The president, like every other prac tical western man, knows that the ex isting coal land law is not sensibly framed. That law was built on the theory that the individual could take up and develop a quarter section of coal land, just as the honpestead law gives the individual a like area of agricultur al land. But no individual can develop a quarter section or a whole section of coal land. He could not afford to in stall the necessary machinery, or . if he could, his profits on a quarter section would not recompense him for the out lay. Moreover, no railroad would think of building a spur onto an isolated quarter section of land and the owner of the land could not afford to assume that expense. So the individual with a quarter section of coal land in his possession would have a white, or rath er a black, elephant on his hands. The mineral wealth might be there in abundance, but he could not get it out and could not get it to market. How to cure this evil is a question for congress to decide, and some solu tion is likely to be forthcoming this winter. Some favor a change in the law increasing the area of coal land that may be purchased by individuals or by companies or corporations to such size that they can profitably invest and put the coal on the market. These men would increase the price of coal land so that the government would reap a larg er benefit from the sales. EVILS OF CHILD LABOR. Miss Adams Declares America Class with Russia. Is In Cincinnati, Dec. 15. Before the first session of the child labor , convention here last night, Dr. Felix Adler, chair man of the national child labor com mittee and professor of political and so cial ethics m Columbia university, spoke on "The Attitude of Society To ward the Child as an Index of Civiliza tion." Professor Adler spoke of the inadequacy and inefficiency of state laws and urged the necessity for a national law to furnish a background for effective state and local activity and make the enthusiasm of the people contagious in its effect on local bodies, thus inducing greater efforts for the child and a more glorious future for the republic. Addresses by Miss Jane Adams, of Hull house, Chicago, and United States Senator Beveridge followed. A resolu tion was adopted emphasizing the be lief that it is the duty of the several states to correct evils of child labor in local manifestations, . but indorsing "cordially the principle of the Bever-idge-Parsons bill for a national child labor law." Miss Adams urged the desirability of uniform legislation against the evils of child labor, and declared that the cen sus reports show America behind every European country except Russia in so far as child labor and its effects are con cerned. ' ' Urges Immediate Action. Washington, Dec. 15. Senator Flint, of California, talked with the president today about the break in the Colorado river, which has resulted in such a dis astrous flood in Imperial valley, Cali fornia. When he asked that proper representations be made to Mexico, with a view to securing financial redress for those persons whose property had been injured, the president told him that the State department had already addressed a note on the subject to the Mexican government, but that thus far no reply had been received. Why l Lumber, Costly? Washington, Dec. 15. The house today after some discussion, adopted a resolution of Mr. Miller, of Kansas, authorizing the secretary of Commerce and Labor to investigate the cause of the high price of lumber in tho various stages of manufacture and sale, with the object of ascertaining whether pres ent high prices are the result of a trust. SHOWS BIG DEFICIT. ' Postal Department Runs Behind $10, 616,995.94 in Year. Washington, Dec. 11. The annual report of Postmaster General Cortelyou shows receipts for the past vear were $167,932,782.95, while expenditures were $178,449,778.89. The deficit is $10,516,995.94. Th postmaster general discusses the deficit but says he is less concerned about that than about the efficiency of the department. He attributes the failure to show a profit to the growing public demand for increased postal fa cilities. The deficit is not charged to any one branch of the service. The remarkable efficiency of some departments is commented upon, par ticularly of the registry service. For half a century all causes of loss, in cluding burglary, theft and fire, have shown a loss of only three one-thousandths of 1 per cent. Mr. Cortelyou recommends that a deputy postmaster general be appointed, who shall relieve the burden borne by the postmaster general and his four assistants. The department has 320,000 persons in its employ and it is recommended that the deputy's position be made permanent and that he shall be general manager of the postal service. Greater accuracy in statistics is recommended and Mr. Cor telyou asks that provision be made for expert statisticians and accountants. The congestion of mail in New York City is indicated and attention called to the new postoffice building, a site for which has been acquired at the pro sed terminal station of the Pennsyl vania railroad. PRESIDENT CASTRO ILL. Chief Executive of Venezuela Removed to Seacoast Town on a Bed. Fort de France, Martinique, Dec. 11. Reliable advices here from Venezuela set forth that President Castro was moved down to the little seacoast vil lage of Macuto, near La Guayra, last week. The president is described as being very ill. He made the trip from Caracas in a bed. When he arrived at Macuto, he appeared to be absolutely unconscious. It is generally believed that he has no chance of recovery. Violently worded posters have been circulated in Caracas declaring that no one is today deceived regarding the gravity of President Castro's illnesB, and insisting that the exercise of the executive power be assured through a vice president, which is provided for in the constitution. For a long time past the poster continued, only routine government matters have been attended to, and important questions are being hel in abeyance. General Parades, an ex-revolutionists, now in exile, is organizing a seri ous insurrectionary movement, and de clares that he will soon take the field. He claims to have 15,000 rifles at his disposition. FROM PRESIDENT'S VIEW. Gives Reasons for Dismissing Former Ambassador Storer. Washington, Dec. 11. President Roosevelt tonight made public a long letter addressed to Secretary Root, giv ing correspondence between the presi dent and ex-Ambassador Bellamy Stor er, in which he says that Mr. Storer's refusal to answer his letters and the publication of various private letters justified the ambassador's removal; that Mr. Storer's publication of private correspondence was peculiarly ungentle manly and that he (the president) had stated with absolute clearness his posi tion, the reason why it was out of the question for him as president to try to get any archbishop made cardinal, though expressing his admiration for Archbishop Ireland as well as leaders of other denomination. The president's action follows the publication of a "confidential pamph let" which Mr. Storer last week sent to the president, the cabinet and the sen ate and foreign relations committee. Shinamura in Command. Victoria, B. C, Dec. 11. The steam er KaguMaru brought news that Ad miral Shinanmura will probably com mand the Japanese squadron, consisting of the cruisers Matsushima, Itsuku shima and Hashidare, which will leave Japan next month for Honolulu, San Francisco and the Puget sound. The vessels will be commanded respectively by Captains Nawa, Nomaguichi and Yamagata. Reports are current that Rear Admiral Tomerka, president of the Yetajima naval college, may also accompany the fleet. Sampans Sunk in Squall. Tokio, Dec. 11. A number of sam pans (small harbor boats) belonging to the Japanese cruiser Chitose were sunk in a squall here today while she was returning from a trip. A number of the boats were overturned and 60 men were drowned.