National Republican., 1880-03-30
TIE RAILRoAp rAx CASE.
Terms of the CompromISe--A Speedy Settle
nient In Prospect.

Terms of the Compromise--A Speedy Settle
nient In Prospect.
= The House District Committee yesterday
adopted resolution instruotlng tho chairman
of tho committee to report bill or Joint rcso-
luton to the House for the approval and ratf-
cation of the settlement mado by the Com
mlssionors Of the District with the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad Company Of the taxes past due
and unpaid upon the part OF said company TO
the District Of Columbia up TO July l, 1879.
Tho proposed settlement Is explained at
length by the District Commissioners in q
letter to Chairman Huuton, which, after re-
ferring to the obstruction to the collection of
taxes from the railroad by litigation since 1858,
says:
"The amount now standing on the books Of
the assessors office, rs due from the Baltimore
Ohio Railroad to July TO- 1879, is $9O,54526;
with interest aud penalties included TO March
l. 1880, the total Is $l36S26.12. The company
claims that the assessments against the road
and upon its real estate and improvements
have been excessive and ask that they be
reduced. The Commissioners 1ud that by Il
Joint resolution Of City Council approved
May 30 1879, the track OF the railroad COM
plny was exempted from taxation for thirty
years The State tax of Maryland is one
half Of one per cent. upon tho gross receipts,
and the county taxes are on the basis OF
Sl2,5OO per mile for double track main line
$500 for singlc-traclt main line, and $500
per mile for sidings. Tue Commissioners are
of the opinion that the road and rollingstocl
may be equitably assessed within the limits
of the District at S15.500 per milo for the
dOuble-tnck main luc at $500 for the
single track, and $4,000 for spurs that the
| real estate may be placed upon the mean OF
| the valuation of the adjoining private prop
crty. eXemptug such ground as is used purely
as right of way, and that buildings and i'm
provemcns may be assessed at three-Glths of
| original cost. A readiustment of the assess
| inent valuation as accurate rs eau bo made
within the limited time allowed, adding six
| per cent. interest from the date at which such
interest occurs, gives total of S69,5246S.
Considering the past history Of the case and
the prospect Of future litigation the Commis.
siOners think that the sum Of $4,000 repre-
sents Il fair basis of compromise for the in
debtcdness of the road up to July l, 1870.
The company have placed in the hands of the
| Commissioners the sum of $4,000, which
| amount Is TO be turned into the treasury Of
tho District when the District Committee
shall have approved of the proposed settle
ment, and shall have agreed to recommend to
the House the passage of resolution author
| izng the compromise.
Before the House adjourned Mr.. Hunton
| introduced the following in pursuance OF the
instructions noted above aud it was referred
| to the District Committees
| That the settlement made by tho Commits
sioners Of the District Of Columbia with the Bal
timore &c Ohio X. Il. Co. of the claim of said
| District upon said company for aud on account
| OF taxes due by the said company to said Dis
| triCt up to July /, 1879, be, aud the same is
hereby, ratified aud confirmed, aud that tho
said Commissioners be, and they arc hereby,
authorized 10 execute any vouchers or papers
| necessary 10 the iual consummation of said
settlement, and as evidence that the same is
| concluded and clOgcl.n