FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1931. 'Hertwitta VERNONIA EAGLE, VERNONIA, OREGON PAGE THREE I i here, it was voted to meet with our critics, but it helped some. ed because it “did not work in Helens Mist, which newspaper they should have the whole ex­ the court, they held a closed Now, it is proposed by the league harmony with Gov. Meier’s com- i Mr. Hyde edits, though he says clusive right to settle such prob­ meeting and consulted the court to eliminate the offices of county mittee.” w* Our answer to is I he knew nothing about the uvm w this nun io item lems, but when it comes to taxes « in no way. They would have 'nurse, home demonstrator, coun­ Tax league invited the | which was published stating that we think they are decidedly out that the benefitted if they had met in a ty agricultural agent, fruit inspec­ members of the Meier committee this was the reason for the of their element. The Tax league tor and county engineer, placing spirit of co-operation rather than Pacific Coast Representative the duties of the latter office to join us in the meeting with Meier committee meeting with is not going to dig into the apron antagonism. Arthur W. Slypes, Inc. string problem, but it will tackle San Francisco It would have looked better if with the county surveyor where the county court. One of them, the county court. they had let the governor’s of­ ¡they naturally belong. To this Ira B. Hyde, accepted the invi­ The critics of the Tax league the tax problem, the thing for ficial committee take the lead in I proposal we hear a howl from tation and was present, was el­ would now try to prevent the which it was organized and for plans for tax reduction rather Dan to Bersheba and from hades ected secretary of the committee, county court from appointing as which it still is functioning. Member of National Editorial than to fight that committee and to breakfast. We apprehend that and actively participated in the members of the budget commit­ The Vernonia Eagle makes Association and Oregon State when the budget comes up to be meeting, apparently being in ac­ tee those men which were recom­ light of the “poor” taxpayer. If make its own demands. Editorial Association. If the tax league is to be of I adopted the plaza of the court cord with the recommendations mended by the league. This is the Eagle would not soar so benefit, they must learn to co-op­ house at St. Helens will be used made at that time. Another mem­ asking too much, says Mr. Steele, high, but would plant his auricles Issued Every Friday $2.00 Per Year in Advance erate rather than to demand. instead of the court room and ber, E. E. Wist, of Scappoose, in his Clatskanie Chief. Sure it down, into the grass roots he Winema grange was wholly that the chairman will decide was absent from home at the is too much: If the men recom­ might learn that the taxpayer is Entered as second class matter August 4, 1922. at the post within its rights in making its the vote to suit himself no mat­ time, but wrote a letter favor- mended by the Tax league are in distress, Possibly he has not ing a 20 per cent reduction all named on the budget committee heard of it yet; or it may be office at Vernonia. Oregon, under the act of March 3, 1879. own recommendation, It is sure- ter which way it goes. along the line and wishing us Columbia county is due for a that people over Vernonia way ly their privilege to be heard with The tax league is well aware Advertising rates—Foreign, 30c per inch; local, 28c per inch; courtesy consideration, that its efforts are being thwart­ success. and genuine slash in expenditures. are rolling in wealth and taxes ■ egal notices, lOc per line first insertion, 5c per line succeeding The Columbia County Taxpay-J their recommen- whether or not These men are C. J. Larsen, of do not bother them like they ed wherever possible. For ex­ insertions; classified lc per word, minimum 25c first insertion, ers league went out of its way Warren, farmer; Judd Greenman do in other parts of the county just, 15c succeeding insertions; readers, 10c a line. dations are ample, it is criticized because it —Rainier and Warren for in­ It should be up to the farmers 1 has accomplished so little; then it to work with Gov. Meier’s com-. of Vernonia, lumberman; and O. stance, where farmers spend 1 what do we find? Henry Oleen, Columbia City, con- of the county to decide whether ' is criticized because it goes af- mittee, but RAY D. FISHER, Editor and Publisher the Meier committee ' tractor. It seems that the critics ’ money for gasoline to attend a the county agent is of benefit to ' ter big game: i.e., wants to have We find j xu- taxpayers meeting—even enough them sufficiently to warrant his a hand in the appointment oflholdinK a meeting with the coun- of the Tax league think that the ! to pay for a county agent. retention. They say he is. The the budget committee. And for ‘X court in which they virtual- league is on a par with a ladies The Taxpayers league has its DICTATION OR ADVICE business men on the whole are this act the Clatskanie Chief, com­ ly repudiated the action of the aid society and that its recom- program; that program may not league in seeking salary re ­ Tax I mendations should have no more willing to bear their share of the menting editorially, said: “They ( suit the writer of this article, In another column appear a communication from A. E, tax if the farmer wants it. are demanding too much.” Now ductions. That this was the pur­ weight than said society. Womans who is president of the league, Veatch, president of the Columbia County Taxpayers’ Every organization should have everyone knows that the budget pose of their meeting, there can i clubs and like organizations have but we want to say that we are league, and an editorial from the Clatskanie Chief, both on its say and that opinion recog­ committee prepares the budget ne no question. We have as problems to worry about, such as sport enough to stand back of the __ _ apron __ ____ _______ statement how long strings should __ be nized. This is a democracy and I and when it is once prepared authority for this the subject of tax reduction. (Continued on Page 4) and published it is a difficult none other than the esteemed St. and We are perfectly content that Two weeks ago Mr. Veatch declared editorially in his not a monarchy or oligarchy. —Clatskanie Chief. task to amend it. Hence the bud- newspaper, the Rainier Review, “It seems to the editor . . . get committee is important, and that it would be the part of wisdom on the part of the Wo­ k ’ the league has asked that men man's club, the grange and various other organizations and who be placed on this committee individuals to keep hands off and let the taxpayers’ league know what it is to dig up money DON’T OVERLOOK THE DELICIOUS OLD ENGLISH have an inning so that real tax reduction may be had.” to pay taxes. They asked that With all due respects to Mr. Veatch, who is sincere in men in sympathy with the tax­ his efforts towards tax reduction and feels it his duty to payer be named on this com­ support the entire program of the league irrespective of his personal attitude towards details of it, he has taken a de­ To the Editor:—Inasmuch as mittee. Last year the commit­ was made up of one man cidedly illogical stand. Nineteen of those who attended a Hugh M. Jones of Birkenfeld and tee MADE BY THE VERNONIA BAKERY who clips coupons and plays meeting of the league in Warren a month or so ago voted the editors of the Clatskanie golf; another man on the com­ for a resolution to abolish the county agent’s office, 9 op­ Chief and also the Vernonia mittee was a high-paid official In 1, 2, 3 and 4 pound sizes — Regularly $1.00 a pound posed it and 22 expressed no preference one way or the Eagle have taken a “shot” at the of a power company who had a other, if a report published in the St. Helens Mist is cor­ writer hereof ’n connection with vociferous voice when it came to rect. The desires of those 19, according to Mr. Veatch, his work as president of the Col­ boosting salaries. He may have should be binding upon the entire county. The county umbia County Taxpayers league, been a taxpayer, and even if as the league itself, “we budget committee and the county court should adopt the re­ as well he was, he is not now a resident our pen in hand, etc.” ORDER FROM YOUR GROCER OR FROM commendation without questioning, discussion or objection take Personally, the “shot” never' of the county, and never could from any source whatever. Any such interference would got under our cuticle and its have been regarded as perma­ block “real tax reduction,” in this particular item approxi­ echo is only proof that the work nent. The league does not want mately 19 cents per $100 of taxes. of the tax league is bearing fruit that kind of men on the budget This newspaper agrees with Mr. Veatch in admitting in all quarters of the county, committee, even if the Clatska­ that any slight saving that can be effectively made is for it is the hit pup that yells nie Chief does. worth while—but if the slight saving would cause needless every time. The league is further criticiz- and greater expense in other items (as so often happens To begin with the critics of the when individuals, corporations and governments pinch their tax league remind us of the boy pennies), the policy is foolishly short-sighted. To use Mr. who had a shoe string which cost Veatch’s illustration, avoidance of the use of too much him only three cents. He threw twine is a wipe economy, but if economy in the purchase of it away with the declaration: twine is carried to the point r where __ the __ firm ____ _____ runs ____ out __ of i “Who cares for three cents; not it just when there are a number of bundles to be wrapped 1 1 for one, so here goes.” The while the delivery truck is waiting, the attempted economy critics of the tax league are be­ littling the efforts of the league becomes a costly parsimony. Concerning the other illustration, that of stopping the because the savings (as they leaks, there is no argument. The league has already help­ see them) amount to so little ed plug some of the leaks, and no doubt intends to keep at that the taxpayer is going to be it. More power to it in this respect! In this newspaper’s hung anyway, so why not hang opinion, however, the organization missed an excellent him good and plenty and have chance to avoid waste when it did not even try to head off that much more dirt to bury his the recall election, costing in one afternoon to no advantage carcass, i. e., a little more tax whatever an amount approximately equal to the agricul­ to keep him dead for a long time. the savings proposed by tural agent’s allowance from the county for a whole year. True tax league insofar as elimin­ Finding and mending the leaks is a policy that offers the the ating certain county positions is chance of saving dollars where twine economy at the best concerned is comparatively infini­ saves pennies. tesimal, but the critics of the Mr. Ventch charges the Eagle with making light of league do not give the league due the “poor” taxpayer, but the editorial in which the expres­ credit for what it has actually sion occurred intended to convey no such impression. The accomplished nor what it is going ordinary taxpayer—and the Eagle classes itseji with him— to accomplish, providing the voci­ is at the present time indeed “poor” in more senses than ferous howl of . the pup does not one, hence the quotation marks. As for Vernonia, the not become so profuse as to un­ burden of taxes is felt as much here as anywhere in the do the work of the league. county. The editor had the word of W. S. Roberts, former If a business institution should assessor, to the effect that the same valuation in Vernonia begin to reduce its expenses, we as in Rainier means nearly twice the tax—so that’s that. opine that the first item which Upon the need for reduction there is unanimity, but as to could be cut would meet the ap­ the method of best accomplishing it, there are differences proval of the business executive, whether it was in using too much of opinion. It is to maintain this right of difference in opinion twine to tie up bundles with, or that the Eagle believes that Winema grange, composed of allowing the toilet to leak. If a men and women who know by experience the value of the saving of $5.00 per year is saved 7] “personal guarantee” means very little to you county agent, are assuredly entitled to pass a resolution to thereby, it is our opinion that this C/l unless you know the man who makes it. maintain the office. At that it was a decisive because Would be put down as a reduction unanimous opinion, in contrast with the half-hearted, mostly in expenses. Then the business indifferent attitude of all but the few in the league meeting executive might consider bigger at Warren. Women’s clubs, too, should have the privilege savings, such as the critics of Ninety per cent of the things bought for your home of being heard. Perhaps they know something about taxa­ the taxpayers league doubtless are selected by the lady member of the firm. She tion as well as about apron strings, even though Mr. have in mind. Let us see: The Taxpayers Veatch assures them that they do not. is the purchasing agent. Most men admit that she The taxpayers’ league, as well, has the right to an league met with the county court and made a recommendation that is a capable buyer, and the reason is this: She must expression of its sincere opinion, but it is the right of of­ all salaries of court house at­ fering advice rather than the license of dictating. taches (not fixed by law) be re­ be shown — convinced by proof— that an article is duced and that mileage for county tax league has. what she needs and is worth the price! automobiles be reduced from 10 The league can accomplish good to 6 cents per mile. The recom­ 1 only as it takes its place as one mendation was complied with. *For that reason, she sees the advantage of dealing of the organizations of the coun- Mileage is now 6 cents and court j ty and does not try to dictate. house attaches had their salaries with a local merchant — a man whose “personal It recently demanded that their reduced 10 per cent. This is no guarantee of satisfaction” means just what it says. ' recommendations for the county great acomplishment, we assure budget committee be named by < the court. They are demanding She knows that what he advertises in this paper is We are not surprised at the ] too much. Maybe one of their members should be appointed, but entitled to her consideration. Because she has confi- above article of Mr. Jones*. There are hundreds of people through­ in all fairness to other organiza­ dende in her neighbor—the local dealer—she can out the county who resent the at­ tions not more. They are now demanding that titude of the tax league and its safely invest the family funds in what he guarantees. HAY ------------------------ president in demanding that their recommendations and none they and they alone dictate the others be heeded in tax reduction. I -------- GRAIN --------- so-called tax reduction program. They are making more enemies ----------------------- FEED Mr. Veatch stated editorially than friends by such tactics. PHONE 681 There is a bad taste in the last week that he thought it was time the Women’s League, he mouths of many* by their actions and save yourself money by trading at home grange and various other organi­ when they were supposed to meet zations kept hands off and let with the county court to plan reductions. It was at the same the tax league reduce taxes. The league represents only a time as the governor appointed Agency for small portion of the taxpayers of his committee and a most capable « the county and in this government committee it was. McCormick-Dee ring Although at the tax league of ours every man and every ------ TRACTORS ----- organization has a perfect right meeting in Clatskanie at the time to be heard, just as much as the of the Pomona grange meeting uohvs The Open Forum - - FRUIT CAKE Special 60c lb VERNONIA BAKERY His word is his bond! What Oilier Editors Think FOR Read the Ads in this Paper Vernonia Trading Co