The Great Seattle Tax Fight

A promised suit for an injunction against the extension of the tax levy of 1 mill upon the tax rolls of King County was brought in superior court yesterday. It was set for hearing on a motion for a temporary injunction today, having been submitted to Judge Langley yesterday afternoon. No taxpayer showing a disposition to bring the suit, and the county commissioners wishing to get the matter before the supreme court as quickly as possible, Attorney S. H. Piles was asked by the board to bring the action on behalf of himself and other taxpayers. The question to be decided is whether, under Section 64, page 351, of the laws of 1893, the county commissioners must levy the tax for road and bridge purposes on all property in the county, including the city, or whether they should levy only on such property as is situated outside the city limits. The commissioners, Auditor Twichell, and many others were of the opinion that it was unfair to compel the people living within the city to help pay for county roads and also construct and keep in repair streets and bridges within the corporate limits at their own expense.