The Great Assessment Scam: How King County Taxpayers Were Fooled by 'Blunders'

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

A May Proceed to Straightening Out Blunders.

In reply to a question as to what the Board of County Commissioners had accomplished during the day, Clerk Twitcheil replied: "The day has been chiefly devoted to straightening out Assessments. Owing the multiplicity of blunders in years' past, a great deal of property which was erroneously assessed has gone delinquent, and owners are now receiving cards from the Sheriff that effect. When some gets one of these cards out of the postoffice, he looks at it for an instant in mute astonishment, for the chances are he has paid up all his land, and then he starts on a keen jump for the assessor's office to interview the commissioners. The members of the Board are neither surprised nor nonplussed when the irate taxpayer enters the door, puffing and panting and wiping the sweat from his heated forehead, for they have become accustomed to such visitors on Monday afternoons, and have met perhaps a thousand of just suchirate with some.

Whenever the Board is advised that an injustice has been noted, usually every one laughs, loving the mistake, and sets the taxpayer right.

The following business was transacted yesterday: Petition of Helen Grover to have her assessment the real estate of 1882 returned as an error granted. Petition of Carrie Burke to have the assessments Lots 11 and 12 Block 11 returned as an error omitted. Petition of J. Yates for return of county poll tax, assessed to a man in his county granted. For Sheriff ordered by the Board to create the roll of 1881 returns at Anthony's. The petition of J F M N to have rate of tax on mortgage rejected. Ordered that the sum of $500 yearly assessment be returned as an error for May 2, 1894. Burk ordered II W D to Port May 2, 1894. Burk 11 W Wave May 6, 1894. Cut at 1 p.m. For the first time was towed in at J T's and found Mr. R I at 1 p.m. Clear. High wind was.

The street committee has been directed to seal two widths thirty feet wide, total of Third Street, as reported yesterday. The ladies of First Baptist gave a delightful tea last night at the hall in that parish, which was nicely decorated. The ladies looked all well, and Carried on whom they chose. Mr. F. O. Roberts, formerly of St. Mary's, Russia, will arrive in Seattle at an early day by the Laffee of the first Grand Oriental Society here. Time and place of lectures and courses will be given later. At the meeting of the City Council Friday evening two plats of Jackson Street addition, and one of First Road Addition, were filed for approval, but were referred to the City Surveyor. At a meeting of the members of the Methodist Protestant Church yesterday afternoon it was decided to build an addition of forty feet to the church to make room for the rapidly increasing congregation. Mr. Kirkman, of Walla Walla, State, said that the office of Thomas would be long open there by D. A. S. Pella Co., $10,000. He had a talk with a reporter.