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Show THE Ogden Livestock Show Bigger and Better! January 11 to 16 OGDEN, UTAH, FRIDAY, JANUARY VOLUME 4 VALUE OF LANDS BLACKHAM SAYS Williams Libel Suit to be Tried MONEY IN BANKS Here February 27 . AND BUILDINGS WILL BE FOUND Only Could Accomplish Task; Large Increase Expected What U the value of ell the lands and buildinga In the United States? Not a tool in the country can aay, or even hazard a guess, laments the National Aatociation of Real Estate Board in calling attention to the fact that the new cenaua will release the first figure on property values avail- -' able since 1922. But right now the U. S. government does not know, the different states do not know, and tax officials themselves do not know the present worth of the lands on which this country is built. So the real estate interests are looking forward eagerly to the results of the decennial compilation of the nations wealth and are predicting that many billions of dollars will be added to the 1922 figure. ' For if the impartial and incidentally backbreaking survey of the government shows the tremendous realty appreciation expected by the real estate interests, this will make a new case for the advisability of investment in the land. Evaluating Property Gigantic Task It is no simple job to ascertain the dollars and cents value of American real estate and the structures resting on it, points out the real estate as-- r sociation that has been looking over past work along these lines to see if it can get an inkling of what the new census will reveal. Indeed the association itself recently undertook to make a survey of present property values throughout the U. S., receiving from the various commonwealths a mass of statistics, data and information so confusing that realised that only government mac- it hinery could libel uit The wherein City Commissioner Fred E. Williams is suing the Ogden much-discuss- New Census WiU Release First Figures on Property Values Since 1922; National Association Decided That Government . POST attempt this task. ed for $100,000 set for trial been has damages, District Standard-Examin- er Thursday, February 27, by and George Judges Eugene Pratt S. Barker. The calendar for the next term of court was made up late last week. A. E. Pratt is attorney for Commissioner Williams, and George C. Buckle has been retained for the A. G. Horn been engaghad died who recently, Taxation problems that face Weber county took a new turn yesterday ed to defend the daily newspaper E. when County Attorney Samuel and its editors. Blaekham recommended to the board of county commissioners that the count)' assessor assess all monies, notes and credits as provided for in the constitution of the state of Utah. If the county commission sets on the recommendation of the county attorOgden members of the recently or- ney and directs the assessor so to ganized ski club are making prepara- act, money belonging to the individtions for the sport program for winter ual in banka, building and loan comis booked for February panies and kindred businesses will be sports which 15 and 16. It is the opinion of Presi- taxed for 1930. dent E. R. Alton, of the Ogden chamThe commission did not act on the from ber of commerce, that visitors county attorney's letter of recommenall parts of the world will visit Ogwhile dation they were in session yesMr. den during the winter program. Chairman F. W. Stratbut terday, Alton also states that the members ford announced that the commission affiliate of the ski club are happy to would consider the recommendation with Ashton, Idaho, and Tahoe, Cali at a special meeting today. fornia, in the new sports undertaking notes and solHeretofore the much in money, and says that it promises have vent credits should proescaped taxation in way of amusement and to due the fact that taxpayers a Utah, at vide new business for merchants not have declared their are money as taxconditions ordinarily time when and also on the ground that to able, That Ogden Alton Mr. says quiet. waa quick to accept the offer to join tax money would be a violation of the provision that all prophands with Ashton and Tahoe last constiutional erty be taxed equally, taking into June when the triangle plans were account real property has been first mentioned. Since that, time Og-an assessed that lf about its at only for to direct plans organization value. now is and den have been named, L Mr. Blackham'a letter of recommenfunctioning. It is headed by G.time dation follows: v. Becker. This will be the first in the history of Ogden that these To Board of County Commissioners, events have been scheduled under ofWeber County, and to Mr. Burdelt ficial sanction in. Utah. "Fifteen of Smith, County Assessor: the world's greatest ski jumpers will be on hand for the two days' show, Gentlemen: On last I appeared beand at least 10 dog teams will com- fore theMonday board of commissioners and are made pete in the dog derby. Railroadsshows certain oral recommendations the granting special rates for which board the desired to have made at the three cities, and we are anti-of in writing and in compliance therea fine attendance. - Preparations Being Made for Sports one-ha- For when the department of commerce made the 1922 report on the cipating estimated national wealth, the public debt, and taxation, as authorized by the permanent census act, it wrote more than 6,000 letters in order to secure the value of tax exempt property alone.. Nor did the census officials of 1922 announce their figures on property values as final, approved, and hard and fast ones. In a foreward to the report in which these figures are con-tame-d, Dr. Wilford L Kin of the national bureau of economic research, who assisted in planning the methods of compilation admits that the reported values for real estate might be too low. The foreword itself is titled, The Dificulties of Wealth Measurement and was transmitted on June 20, 1924, by the director of the census, W. M. Steuart, to Herbert Hoover, then secretary of commerce. Our Worth Seven Years Ago The report set the national wealth at the close of 1922 at $320,803,862,- 000. Of this amount, $176,414,440,000 was reported as the value of real prop- erty nd improvements, both taxed and tax exempt. Thus, real estate and the structures on it constituted more lf of the total national than one-ha- wealth. Chief among the difficulties conf- ronting the census officials when they began this work was the impossibility of adopting new methods that might have given more accurate results, but which might have produced figures that would not have been comparable with previous censuses. It is apparent that there must be some continuity in the methods used in arriving at or their in order to see if or so many and such .largo figures, the various censuses would not have the same meaning. Moreover, chief value lies in comparing them with earlier figures the country has lagged gone ahead iu the various activities reflected in such figures. Worked From Assessment Rolls The valuation placed on private real estate was based on the assessment rolls of cities and towns throughout the United States. - Every effort was made to determine and utilize the correct multiplying factors in order to bring the- - assessors figures up to the true values for December 31, 1922. The adjustment ratios, however, were based largely upon information furn- ished by local and state tax depart- ments and tax officials are psually conservative and assessments are not made every year. In other words, the government nad available, in many ins- tances, only the values reported to tax officials, that in many instances, are admittedly low. From such figures the government had to evolve a uniform method of ascertaining values. true therefore, 'that despite calculated figures often represent the market values current at dates preceding the census by a considerable interval," says Dr. King's report. tin most states, says the report it-ithers were no records of the value of tax exempt properties which includes exempt churches, hospitals, educational institutions, etc, in addition to federal, state, county, and municipal properties. The most exhaustive research was necessary to secure the figures contained on tax exempt property la the report. It waa in connec- It seems, the corrective factors applied, the w, People with I submit the following: Ogden, Weber county and Utah are There are now pending in the invited to join hands with visitors on fed- 15 and 16. We believe our eral court, actions instituted on beFebruary half of the banka of Weber county show will be one of merit.' against David W. Evans as county to enjoin the collection of treasurer, tion with this part of the work that the taxes levied against the banks for more than 6,000 letters were written the year 1929. to county and municipal officials. But the complaints in these acsays the 1922 report, no accurate es- tionsBy certain information is alleged value such of the of timate properties (tax exempt) can be made until in their complaints to the effect that the state and local officials undertake there are large sums of money in the to assemble 'the data with the same state of Utah and particularly in Wecare that they undertake the assess- ber county that have for various reasons throughout the past escaped taxment of property for taxation. ation, and it is a well known fact that Should Know Their Values certain monies and credits have not , "Exempt properties in a way represent community holdings and it would been taxed in Weber county, and inseem that the communities, large and asmuch as these matters have been small, should be supplied with an in- brought to our attention by these ventory setting forth such values in suits it is the duty of the proper ofdetaiL The report gives a figure of ficers to correct this situation in the $20,505,819,000 as the value of tax future and insofar as they are able. exempt property and improvements Constitution Quoted for 1922. Section 2 of Article XIII' of the In determining the value of taxable Constitution of the State of Utah proproperty which amounted to $155,908,- - vides: All property in the state not 625.000 the census bureau was unwil- exempt under the laws of United ling to accept the preliminary reports States or mder this constitution shall in view of the difficulties known to be taxed in to its value to be encountered by assessing officials be ascertainedproportion as provided by law. The in their efforts to assess property at word property as used in this article its full value, where required by law is hereby declared to include monies, to do so, and the likelihood of error credits, bonds, stocks, franchises and through underassessment in attempt- all matters and things (real, personal and mixed) capable of private ownering to avoid overassessment. Thus the most careful verification ship; but this shall not be so conwas undertaken and an average ratio strued as to authorize the taxation of between assessed and sale value of the stocks of any company or corporproperties was ascertained. An a ation when the property of such comsessed valuation is necessarily an esti- pany or corporation represented by mate on the part of the assessor, says such stocks has been taxed. the government report. A sale price Section 5866 of the Compiled Laws of yesterday may vary considerably of Utah, 1917, provides: 'All taxable from the consideration that a pur- property must be assessed at its full chaser may pay today or tomorrow. cash value. Land and the improveThe average ratio between the assess- ments thereon must be sepaartely as ed and sale value of properties was an sessed. essential element in the computation I am not aware of all of the propof the true value of real property. erty or the kinds of property in Weber county that has in the past escaped Figures Are Pretty (Hose In describing economic changes that taxation, but it has been called to my occurred between 1916 and 1922, Dr. attention that certain monies and the valua- credits such as bank deposits and King states that tions given in thealthough in the government report monies of individual investors on farm lends might be too high, as hands of building and loan finance ! In value between companies and banks and similar in 1916 and 1920, that the values on city stitutions have not been assessed and property might be too low. There is taxed. Admitted in Answer every reason to believe, he says, in the report, that city real estate has Under the laws it is the duty of increased in value rather steadily since the assessor to tax such property and 1916; hence, in so far as the assess- I, therefore, recommend that the asment rolls, with adjustments, failed to sessor for the year 1930 ascertain the keep pace with the actual movement amounts of money and other solvent of real estate prices, the census esti- credits such as I have indicated above mates are too low. And although the located in Weber county and that they value of agriculture real estate con- be assessed on their actual value as stitutes roughly but one-thiof the of January 1, 1930. In the answers submitted in these value of urban real estate during the same period, the various factors af- tax cases we have admitted that such fecting each class of property was property has escaped taxation, but such as to cancel each other that the assessor is endeavoring to asso certain the amount of such property if this assumption is correct, thethat, ure of 156 billions reported as figthe with a view of taxing the same. value of taxed real estate on DecemRespectfully submitted, SAMUEL E. BLACKHAM, ber 31, 1922, may approach rather County Attorney.1 closely to the actual market value of the land and buildings of the country not exempt from taxation at that timates that the actual increase of date. physical wealth was about 11 per cent Big Increase From 1912 the years from 1912 to 1922, The wealth of the country increased theDuring value of real property and imrom 2186,299,664,000 in 1912 to $320,- - provements, both taxed and tax ex383.862.000 at the dose of 1922, a rise empt increased from 1109,236,926,000 f 72.2 per cent. But as the values in 1912 to $176,414,444,000 in 1922, an it the dollar diminished greatly dur- addition of $67,177,518,000. ing this decade. Dr. King roughly es- - What will it be in 1932? rd January AFOOT TO FILL VACANCY WITH ELECTION In view of the fact that the county commissioners of Weber county have asked Governor George II, Dem not to call a special election to fill the senatorship in Weber county caused the resignation of Charles R. Hollingsworth, the suggestion has been made that the service clubs and newspapers of Ogden join in helping to conduct a special election to fill the vacancy. Under the plan proposed, the service clubs would provide volunteer election judges to serve without pay and the newspapers donate the necessary legal advertising so that the special election could be held without depleting the county treasury. last night Governor Dern said that political leaders of both parties and county officials had importuned him not to call a special election, giving the sole reason that the expense would fall heavily upon the taxpayers. The governor stated that if a plan can be devised that will keep the burden from falling on the public treasuries and one that will meet legal requirements, he can see no objection to calling a by special election. When advised of the plan President Trace A. Turner of the Exchange club said: It is a very fine idea. Such a method of holding the special election would give the service clubs an excellent opportunity to live up to the name of service clubs'. Dr. L. S. Merrill, president-eleof the Kiwanis club, declared: Of course I have not had an opportunity to think the matter over, but my first opinion is that it presents a fine opportunity to the service clubs. W. C. Carnes, president of the Lion's club, when appraised of the plan, said: A very good idea. President Ernest Ford of the Ogden Rotary club could not be reached last night, consequently an expression from him could not be obtained. ct Leader Opens Fine New Womens Store After months of careful planning to 16 Weber Farm Women MORE PAY WITH To Meet Saturday for home management workers of the Weber county farm bureau is called for Saturday. January 4, 1930, at the federal building. Miss Kllen Agren, home demonstration agent, will preside. At 13:30 o'clock she will meet the executive committee of the county and the four ladies who attended the training school at Utah Agricultural college during the past term. At 2 o'clock p. m. these ladies will meet the officers of the various local organizations of the ladies' farm bureau. This directors meeting will be for the purpose of planning a program for the work of 1930 ami to decide the date for election of new county leaders. At this latter meeting the presence is requested of all officers of the ladies' farm bureau local organizations, including presidents, secretary-treasurerand project leaders. An invitation is also extended to anyone else who may desire to attend the meeting. A meeting vice-presiden- ts, s, Moose to Give Charity Ball on January 17 A charity ball will be given in the American Legion chateau on Friday, January 17, by Ogden lodge 1314 Loyal Order of Mosse. This part of a national chain of charity balls to raise funds for the erection of houses at the boys' village camp, Mooseheart, Illinois. W. C. Camp, local dictator, said that the original plana called for 1700 of these balls to be given the night of December 81 in lodges all over the continent, from Alaska to Panama. Due to local conditions which made it impossible for the Ogden lodge to hold its ball Tuesday night, the date was changed to January 17. The money raised from the 1700 balls will be donated to Moose-hea- rt to build more homes for the children. Produce Men Guests At Luncheon Monday George Bush, retiring manager of the Pacific Fruit and Produce company and his successor, Raymond P. Morrissey, were the complimented guests Monday when P. II. Mulcahy entertained at a luncheon honoring them. The guest list included Eugene R. Alton, president of the Ogden chamber of commerce; J. Francis Fowles, manager of the Wasatch Investment company; J. B. Hunter, general freight agent of the Utah-Idah- o Central Railroad company; Robert II. Hinckley, of the Robert II. Hinckley, Inc.; Fred A. Kuhlman, manager of the Continental Baking company; L. S. Beckett, western manager of the and preparation, The Leader, Inc., haa opened one of the largest and finest women's and millinery i to res to be found anywhere in the west. Fourteen years ago The Leader Pacific Fruit and Produce company; opened for business in Ogden. The new store, located just north of the S'. Fred Norton, manager of the BadGeorge A. Lowe company store, is ger Coal and Lumber company; James three times larger than the original Fergus Orr, district manager of the Utah Power and Light company, and store. has Lehman pro- Lester F. Whitlock, manager of the Manager Irving vided in the new store every conven- Ogden Union stockyards. ience for the feminine shopper. Especial thought was given to the modernistic decorations and the lighting equipment. The color scheme is from ' Beautiful, large ivory to rose-tawith rooms special lighting fitting According to a report made to the equipment have been provided. An commiasion on Monday afternoon city fine for the arrangement especiallly status the of past due accounts for debeen millinery department has water rentals in the city water devised. The Ogden store is the head of a partment shows a better condition chain of thirteen branches, located in than for many years past. Deputy Utah, Idaho and Montana. They main- Auditor Marcus Critchlow reported tain purchasing offices in New York that water collections on accounts City and only just recently has a pur- had been showed that $10,383 more collected during 1929 than esbeen in office Los Angeles chasing in 1928. He further reported that tablished. We have added quite a few new there was but $1600 past due on meter accounts. departments, Manager Lehman deMayor Francis and Commissioner Leader's The will continue clared. We commended Commissioner Fred Peery in merchandise newest the of plan E. Williams for the excellent showing millinwomen's wearing apparel and in his department of good ery, always popularly priced, At meeting the commisquality, with our guarantee behind sion, yesterday's m report, subafter considering every article sold. mitted by City Engineer Harry t, ready-to-we- 11 NUMBER 3 County Attorney Writes Letter Service Clubs Are Suggested as to County Commission and Media to Furnish Judges and Assessor Recommending That Clerks Without Cost to Conn All Monies, Notes and Credits ty; Governor Dem Can See No be Assessed; Commission to Objection If Cost Argument Is Consider Recommendations Met; Presidents Give Opinions Standard-Examine- r. Bigger and Better! 3. 1930. PUN SHOULDBETAXED Ogden Livestock Show ar , Water Collections In Good Condition n. non-met- er Er-ret- FEWER JOBS IS CITY DADS PLAN Stanley Robins to be Secretary to Commission and Purchasing Agent; Consolidating in the Treasurer's Office; Wilfong Will Head Police Department; Savage to Remain Ogden's new city commission has agreed on the assignment of departOra Bundy will ments. Mayor-eletake over the departments administered by Mayor Frank Francis, viz., public affairs and finance, public safety and the cemetery. Commissioner-eleWilliam J. Itackham will be commissioner of streets and public improvements, which Includes the engineering department and will have the city health department under his jurisdiction. Mayor-elec- t Bundy and the commission have definitely decided to appoint Stanley Robins city purchasing agent and secretary to the mayor and He will replace F. P. commission. Gridley, present purchasing agent,, and Miss Leah Folkman, secretary to Mayor Francis. Miss Folkman will lie assigned to other work in the city hall. By combining these positions, able to the administration will compensate Mr. Robins with a fair salary, and at the same time save several hundred dollars per annum to the taxpayers. It has also been determined to conduct the city treasurer's office with two men instead of three and to allow a alight increase in salaries to the two men who will serve as treasurer and deputy. The personnel in the treasurers office has not yet been ct ct announced. Combining positions and more work appears' to be stop by the new commission ing up efficiency and getting requiring the first of buildthe most for the taxpayers dollar. The commission has taken the stand that the city should require highest efficiency from city employes and that the salaries shall be commensurate with the service rendered. Commissioner-elec- t Itackham said not yet ready was he last night that to announce appointments-.- in the street department or in the engineering department, lie said, however, that the health department would be headed by Dr. N. 11. Savage, incumbent. Commissioner Fred E. Williams, the holdover commissioner, will retain hia present departments of waterworks, parks and the airport. He will retain Fred Packard as superintendent of the waterworks and George Carey as chief clerk in the waterworks depart, ment and commission The mayor-elehave agreed upon A. E. Wilfong for chief of police. Wilfong is a lieutenant-colonel of the 222nd field artillery, the Utah national guard unit lie is a veteran of the world war. For many years he has been in the U. S. postal service. He is allowed five , years leave of absence without prejudice to his civil service priority. Stanley Robins leaves the employ of the D. II. Peery estate to accept the city hall position. He is no stranger to public office, having been chief deupty county assessor to Owen M. Sanderson, and also to Arthur G. Barrett Robins was educated in the Ogden City schools and at the University of Utah. Alter graduating from the university he taught school here, later being employed as cashien at the Utah Power & light company, from which place he was appointed chief deputy assessor. He is married and has five children. ct Government Positions to Engineers showing the amount of construction of public works during his tenure Open to Legion of office, extended a vote of thanks to 13 the city engineer for his excellent The United States Civil Service Becker public service. Mayor Frank Francis commission announces the following commended Errett very highly. state-wide A open competitive examinations: rally of the American be Junior observer in meteorology, will the held at chateau, Legion to $1,740 $ year, weather bureau clubhouse of Herman Baker post No. Commissioners 9 in Ogden, the night of January 13, City throughout tile United States. Associate aeronautical engineer, it waa announced Wednesday night 1930 $3,200 a year; assistant aeronautical by Commander V. J. Harrop, upon receipt of a telegram from G. L. BecMonday afternoon the city commis- engineer, $2,600 a year, bureau of ker, who is spending the holidays on sion' adopted the 1930 budget. Ac- aeronautics, navy department and other branches of the service, for duty the coast. cording to the new financial set-u- p The event will be the occasion of a for the year, the tax levy will remain in Washington, D. C., or in the field Associate ecologist (foreign plant testimonial for Mr. Becker, author- the same as for 1929 unless the budget ized by the last department conven- is amended by the new $3,200 to $3,700 a year, , introduction), commiscity bureau of plant industry, department tion. Mr. Becker will return in a sion at the expiration of a few days and will be on hand to be period. The budget resolution is as of agriculture, for duty in Washinghonored by legionnaires of the state follows: ton, D. C., or in the field. AH states except Maryland, Virfor his support of and interest in the WHEREAS, on or before November first, 1929, the City Auditor of ginia, Vermont, Delaware and the DisLegion. Commander Harrop has named a Ogden City, as budget officer, did file trict of Columbia have received leas committee, of which R. L. Olsen Is with the Board of Commissioners of than their share of appointments In chairman, to arrange the program. aid Ogden City a tentative budget, the apportioned departmental service Department Commander Cecil D. setting forth in detail the revenues at Washington, D. C. Full information may bo obtained Pope of Helper will participate in the and expenditures of the preceding calendar the revenues estimated be to made A. R. Ward, secretary of the from Efforts year, will program. and expenditures for the current cal- United States civil service board of have posts in the department endar year, the department requests examiners at the office or. cusfor expenditures for the present and tomhouse in this post city. the next succeeding calendar year, her estimate of the required amount of and the estimated financial condition, revenue for the next calendar year, by funds, at the close of the current . together with her detailed estimate of year, which tentative budget was made the essential expenditures of the City available and on file with the The management of the Hotel Big for the next succeeding calendar year, City Auditor placed for public inspection, clow entertained the employes of the accompanied by the detailed estimate and continued to be so available and hostelry and their guests New Year's furnished by the various departments, on file for a period of at least fifteen night with a buffet aupper and dance. and a statement showing the financial (15) days prior hereto; and, ' Nearly two hundred attended the condition of the City, by funds, as of WHEREAS, said Board of City function. September SOU: of the current year, (Continued on page 8.) Honor January $1-4- Adopt Budget six-mon- th . Hotel Management Entertains Workers 40 V. |