Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-08-03
STILL EQUALIzING.
The State Auditor Confers With the Board
of Equalization on the Subject of Taxing
Bank StOck--Some Minor Matters.

The State Auditor Confers With the Board
of Equalization on the Subject of Taxing
Bank Stock--Some Minor Matters.
The board of equalization met again yester-
day morning, and spent considerable portion
of the session In talking over the vexed ques-
ton of assessing the banks and the relative
assessment of real estate in Ramsey county
when compared with the assessments of other
counties. It appeared from the investigation
made in connection with the latter question
that Ramsey county had for years back
four times higher than any other
part of the State. That six years ago she was
assessed three times as high as Hennepln and
four times as high as Scott. That at the pres
ent time the assessment was much higher than
any other, and the question was seriously en-
tertained of reducing the assessment to put it
par with other counties.
State Auditor Whitcomb being present de-
sired to put himself right with the board. He
thought the board did him too much honor In
estimating his influence with the State board,
and as to the assertion that he had always
used his influence against Ramsey county, he
wished to say that he had no feeling against
the county of any kind; on the contrary he
was always we'll disposed towards it. All he
wished was the law to be carried out by all the
counties IN respect to assessments. There was
a great deal said by bank managers about
double taxation, but it was all nonsense.
| None of their real estate is purchased with the
original stock OF the bank, and there is no
| doubt that according to the law bank should
! be assessed at the real value of the stock.
| not the par vaIue. OF course if
| the banks are all agreed to be
| assessed at par, and if the board think in the
aggregate that will be the full value of the
| whole bank stock, he could see objection to
| it, but he, if he were president of some banks,
would object.
| Mr.. Rhodes knew the banks were assessed
much higher than any other class of property,
except rea! estate. He knew of firms, with
1926, 900 paid up capital, that were not assessed
for one-fourth; another, with $800,00O, assessed
at less than one-ffth.
| Mr.. Whitcomb would not say that the State
| board did justice to the banks; he hardly
| thought it did.
Mr.. Dawson-Have you received returns
| from outlying counties!
Mr.. Whitcolnb-Only small counties.
Mr.. Dawson-Would it be possible to get VI
the real estate to it's full value?
Mr. Whitcomb-You know what we did las
! year-the board was anxious to see the law car
ried out
Mr.. Dawson-Real estate in St. Paul is as
sessed at its full value.
Mr.. Rhodes-I would sell all my real estat
at the assessed value and would be glad to d.
it. A gentleman holding real estate in Henne
pin county told me the other day that they ha
the advantage of us-they assessed low ant
rated high.
Mr. Whitconb objected to the wa
of one assessor following suit with other
and make false returns. If Ramsey count
makes full return the State board he wa
certain, would see that justice be done an
other counties raised in proportion.
Mr.. Rhodes-The county has paid MOI
money into the State treasury than any othe
part of the State.
Mr.. Dawson hoped Mr. Whitcomb woul
consider this in connection with the tictitiou
debts he carried against Ramsey county.
Mr.. Rhodes-Caryer county as assessed las
year at 1914 per acre, including Improvement
and the land is worth anywhere from $50
$50. Ramsey county assessed at SIG
and the land in Carver is superior.
MIR. Whitcomb, after some further convers;
ton relative to the real value of bank stock an
its assessment, withdrew, assuring the board
, his friendly Offices when the State board meet
MI. Austrian, who had been requested by tt
board to attend, presented himself, and w;
questioned upon the return of his persons
, property. He does not carry a large stock,
said; he handles goods by the car load; he ha
a large lot Of flour on his premises the 1st
May, but it was not his; he had advance
money on it. but it belonged to other parties.
By Mr.. Wagner had shipped out lars
quantity before the LIST Of May. 1t does nj
require mucn money TO run my business.
get accommodation in Chicago. 1 ha,
an arrangement with the Chicago house, bl
do not do business for them, but pay throue
/. them; guessed my stock to be worth 1926
did not guess my credits. The board expresse
5 themselves surprised that SO large a busine
+ as Mr.. Austrian is doing could be run on
9 small capital.
The assessment on sw114 of nwA of see.
a town %, range %, was raised $500.
s A petition from Mary j. Hall for reductio
of $500 Of assessment on her property, w
: laid over.
S The board adjourned to 10 o'clock til
/ | morning.