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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (May 9, 1952)
Medford United press full Leased Wire -t. rTMr-3r ' Tribune United Prass Full Leased WUe Second Section MEDFORD, OREGON, FRIDAY, May 9, 1952 Pages 1-6 Phoenix Businessmen Debate Proposed Tax Phoenix More than 20 bust ness owners of Phoenix ap . peared Wednesday night before the city council over a proposed $10 business tax. They protested it on the general grounds that it was unfair as a "class tax." J. M. Cook, a fountain owner, asked the council what the extra money was to be used for, "as the business owners already pay such a high tax to other levels of government." Others said they wouldn't mind paying the pro posed $10 tax if they knew what the money was going to be spent for, and that "if the burden .would be equal on all busi nesses." 1 ' Seek Lower Burden Councilman Cecil Norris told those in attendance that the council was seeking to lower the general tax burden on the entire city and was considering the business tax as a method generally recognized by other municipalities for raising need ed revenues. He stated that the council and citizens' budget committee had already cut about 20 mills, or one-third off the next fiscal year's taxes from the present 50.4 mills and was seeking another means of rais ing money. He explained that "we are WE SELL 5 Makes ZIG-ZAG Stitch SEWING MACHINES .warn 177 up Avoitabl It many btoutlfi tabintti and ponablth DAVENPORT APPLIANCE SHOP 21 BLOCKS OUT WEST MAIN Phone 2-5144 Biggest Trade-in Allowance! in Town Bank Terms only trying to put ourselves on a par with the other communi ties, and with the 49 Phoenix businesses we could raise about $500 annually." Tells of Needs Mayor E. R. Claflin said the town will have to have another water tank to replace the pres ent 60,000 gallon tank and six inch pipe line. "At the present time our main source of revenue is from our water money and state gas tax returns," he said, adding that the .additional 50 cent charge effective July 1 on the base water charge would cover the water expansion and maintenance, but that more was needed for the general fund. "City affairs are just like any rjther business," Mayor Claflin pointed out, "we have to find money to meet needed improve ments." Norris added that a sew age system is contemplated, along with better streets, which aren't covered from gas re ceipts. The latter also said he believed that in the long run the benefits from the tax would increase the property values from . the associated improve ments and that if the city was "going to progress it had to plan today for tomorrow." Explains Theory In reply to the question of why businesses should be taxed and not the general public, 'At torney Frank Van Dyke, Mid ford, explained that the business tax was generally accepted be cause "it is reasoned that such property receives more benefits from police, fire and insurance reductions than .the residence property owner who has a small er Investment and not as much at stake." He said this was the "theory" behind the tax as al most "universally" applied. The mayor directed the city attorney to draft an ordinance which will be submitted at a pecial meeting in the near fu ture. The council, In other business, amended a pinball machine or dinance to assess a $3.5Q tax monthly on only "reel and pin ball machines which the public ia permitted to play without consideration." The amendment was made after a report that the old ordinance applied to juke boxes and other amuse ments which didn't make enough profit to cover the tax and which will now be free from city assessments. New Dog Law A new dog ordinance was passed, effective from April through July of each year. It requires the confinement of dogs to owners' premises, with dogs on leash and controlled when off the owner's premises. , Fines ' that may be Imposed include $5 for the first convic tion, $15 for the second, and $50 for each subsequent conviction. A resolution was adopted by the council commending the late Councilman Earl Briscoe for "untiring efforts in public serv ice to the community." The council unanimously ap proved appointment of Mrs. Earl Briscoe to the unexpired term of her late husband after they were notified that she would accept the office. The mayor appointed Council man Norris as president of the council, a position held by Mr. Briscoe before his death. FORMER TAX CHIEF RETICENT-Joseph D. Nunan Jr. (right), former chief tax collector, accompanied by his attorney, Richard Burke, arrives to testify before the House ways and means sub committee in Washington. Nunan, who pleaded illness on two previous occasions, said he was appearing against the advice of his physician and declined on constitutional grounds to answer questions regarding his financial affairs. Eisenhower Opposes. Cut in Foreign Aid Washington ttl.R) Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower said Thursday that a congressional cut of $1,000,000,000 in foreign aid would "seriously" affect de fense of Europe. Eisenhower made his views known in a cable from Europe to Chairman Tom Connally, D-Tex., ot tne senate Foreign Relations Committee. He said it is up to Congress to balance the risk of Communist attack against the risks of "ruinous spending." But the $1,000,000,000 cut voted in the $7,900,000,000 fore ign aid bill by Connally's com mittee "would be heavily and seriously felt," he said. 10 Medford -Area Men Named to Pear Group Ten residents of the Medford area were elected trustees and alternates on the board of the Orgon- Washington- California Pear bureau at a recent meeting of the organization in Portland, according to a bureau release. Trustees include Joe Naumes, David Holmes, H. B. Murphy, Floyd Baker and Don Root. Al ternates named at the meeting are Harry Holmes, J. J. Fine pan, David Lowry, Martin Lu ther and Lyndel Newbry. Murphy was also' elected fourth vice-president of the pear bureau at the Portland meeting. Tax Commission May Uncover Many Dollars Of Unreported Stock By WILLIAM WARREN Salem tfJ.R) State Tax Com missioner Robert Maclean has revealed that the tax commis sion may uncover $100,000,000 of unreported values of merchan dise stocks in Oregon this year. Maclean, who heads the com mission's assessment division, said in a single case the com mission dicovered $1,400,000 ad ditional value of merchandise stocks unreported to the county assessor. The present "honor system" of reporting personal property became effective in 1942, during World War II. No Police Attempt Maclean said all attention at that time was devoted to the war effort and no attempt was made by assessors to "police" the reporting of personal prop er t y, including merchandise stocks in trade. By the time the war ended, assessors had be come used to accepting the tax payers returns as correct. An other reason some firms failed to report their entire merchan dising stocks was, that the as sessment ratio used by county assessor on personal taxes was far higher than the ratio used in assessing real property. Ratio Cut Recommended Because of this, the commis sion has recommended a reduc tion of the ratio on personal property, and most of the coun-. ties have followed the recom mendation. The break-down of the "honor system" of reporting was dis covered when the tax commis sion early this year assigned one man to "spot check" merchan dise stocks in two counties. The results, said Maclean, were start ling and much worse than ex pected. So three additional men were placed on the job and "spot checks" hSve been made in every one of Oregon's 36 counties. Results of those checks are j forwarded to the county asses sor wnn recommendation that immediate attention be given the list and other firm checks. This recommendation has been followed. Maclean stressed that the pro gram was not likely to bring in more money in the way of taxes but was expected to even the load. He said: "While the program we have launched is not likely to bring in more tax dollars, because 'of the lowering of the assessment ratio, it will tend to equalize the tax on all merchandising stocks. Many merchants have been reporting 100 per cent value of merchandise and so have paid more than their just share of the tax load. When we get those firms up to true ap praisal on stocks, all will pay their equal share. We Intend to make a pracl?e of continuing the checks on merchandise stocks." WONDERFUL MIX! Cherry & Cider FAMILY CARRIES ON Proctor, Vt. (U.R) One for mer governor has succeeded an other as head of the Vermont Marble Co. The new head is Mortimer R. Proctor, who was named to succeed his grand father, Redfield Proctor. Both are former governors. Washington U.P.) Rep. Henry M. Jackson, (D.-Wash), said Thursday he would suggest that a proposed new foot and mouth disease labortary be lo cated in the Caribbean or the south Pacific. JUST A COINCIDENCE Winston-Salem, N.C. (U.PJ Mrs. M. W. King and Mrs. M. W. King occupy desks side by sids in the business office of the For syth county welfare department. They are not related. YOU UNANDERAND OREGON i a V wtRIEHCED . jf 'W.ibi,,;., Z ' " - w Jf ) J" 8 tj , I AM KEEP A GOOD MAN ON THE JOB! Vote for Paul for District Attorney In the Primary Election May 16 His record for sound, efficient, honest administra tion of this office it his best recommendation. Paid Adv. Havlland for District Attorney Com. WANT LONG DEPENDABLE, LOW COST TRANSPORTATION K-At 'These with Lifetime Guarantee! 100 USLSD'CAR BUYS T.l.jt?. '"tK aWW "- TunSetiS Vertical Front Buildings for low-cost implement storage, repair shops, cattle shelters, roadside stands Bare h the fastest end easiest bond ing to erect you ever saw. It's a per mameia building, too, which will last without cosdy maintenance. , Side and roof are formed by one piece curred Timberib rafters. These are made of thoroughly seasoned lumber "welded" together with waterproof glues which are aa strong end permanent as the wood. Simpler end stronger than old-fashioned fram ing, these Timberib rafters are pre-cnt for easy, fast erection, t Timberib vertical front buildings t't available in widths of 16, U end 92 fectf bUk! in eHiy (ftsifpd length. From can be open or dosed according IP your wish. Interior partition! arc easily installed For prices and ocber detailed Mo TIMBERID CONSTRUCTION Route 1, Box 1364 GRANTS PASS . Phone 5309 ' DOWN f ER MO. 1951 RAMBLER COUNTRY CLUB S565.17 S61.55 1951 NASH AMBASSADOR CUSTOM S710.40 S77.43 1951 HENRY J "4" . . ; S345.00 S37.59 1950 HASH STATESMAN SUPER 2-DR. S450.00 S49.04 1949 BUICK ROADMASTER 4-DR. S540.00 S58.85 1949 STUDEBAKER CHAMPION TUDOR S375.00 S40.88 1948 FRAZER 4-DR. SEDAN S270.00 S29.43 1949 WILLYS STATION WAGON S375.00 S40.88 1950 HASH AMBASSADOR CUST. 4-DR. S600.00 S65.38 MOTOR TUNE-UP ANY CAR ADJUST CARBURETOR SET TIMING ADJUST DISTRIBUTOR POINTS TIGHTEN FAN BELT CLEAN AND REGAP SPARKPLUGS CLAUSS MOTORS With This Ad 5TH and BARTLETT MEDFORD PHONE 2-6185 1950 Chevrolet Pickup Va TON 4 SPEED W 9 DOWN HU PER MO. 1951 Rambler Station WAGON $565e DOWN $61 55 PER MO. DOWN PER MO. 1941 NASH AMBASSADOR S225.00 S20.96 1940 DODGE SEDAN S200.00 S18.73 1939 CHEVROLET TUDOR S 85.00 S11.18 1937 NASH AMBASSADOR S 65.00 S 11.18 BRAKES ADJUSTED 9c WITH THIS AD AND INSPECTED CLAUSS MOTORS 5TH end BARTLETT PHONE 2-6185 NICK RINDT, Used Car Sales-Manager AL ROOT & MARVIN ROSE, Salesman REMEMBER PHOENIX FESTIVAL, MAY 24 MflDTdDDBS NEW CAR SALES & SERVICE 5th & Bartlett Phone 2-6185 SELECT USED CAR DEPT. 4th & Central Phone 2-6342
