SAMTLR REPORT 79 



No restrictions, no rc-arrangement of prices. Little is to be said or 

 done about this Contract ; it was a mistake financially, the stuff is 

 worth twice what he pays for it. 



3. The J. & R. Co. have right of way for their Logging Rail- 

 way through Sect , about ten miles in all ; they paid for all 



timber cut, but were not comijelled to clear up brush. They banked 

 all tops on both sides of right of way right into edge of timber. 

 Also, they make no effort at fire protection by spark arresters or 

 patrol. This should be remedied and arrangements for this should 

 he made with the Company. Tt is v/orth $2ono to the property to 

 get this done. 



I. Expenses and Present Organization used in taking care of 

 the Property. 



1. Taxes. Assessment at full value (by law) is as follows: 

 Hardwood and Hemlock timber. 15000 acres at $15 — ^$225,000 



l^ine timber 5000 acres at 30 — 1 50,000 



Swamp timber 4000 acres at 5 — 20,000 



Cut over lands 26000 acres at 2 — 52,000 



$447,000 



Tax rate 21 per jooo .'. Taxes total $9387. 



Assessments are still on increase, and even the rate may in- 

 crease considerably, as it is now up to 35 per Mill in some parts of 

 the county. The average tax rate for county is 21 per Mill, for the 

 State 17 per Mill. The State has not begim to consider a rational 

 system of forest taxation but is expected to do so in near future. 

 The preferred form as at present' discussed is the fiat rate on soil, 

 together with a 10% stumpage tax at time of cutting. 



2. Other expenses, yearly : 



a. Local attorney as agent, retainer per year $2000 



Looks after timber contracts, tax affairs, trespass, and 

 engages cruiser, etc., to examine lands at times. 



b. Cruisers and others engaged as needed, average for 

 three years 2000 



c. Improvements : Cottage at lake, roads and trail aver- 

 age per year 2500 



d. Trespass suits and incidentals, average cost per year. . 600 



$7100 



