The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-05-01
asport of the Legislative Committee Of
the Pennsylvania State Grange,
on the Tax Bill,
TO THE PEOPLE OF PENNSYLVANIA /:

TO THE PEOPLE OF PENNSYLVANIA
The Legislative Committee beg
leave to report as to matters which
they have been directed to consider
and the information they were desired
to collect on the question of taxation
m the State.
They should say that after the de-
feat of the tax bill prepared by them
in accordance with the instructions
and wishes of the State Grange, the
whole subject Of taxation has been
carefully and laboriously investigated
by the commission appointed by reso.
luton of the legislators.
The various leading interests of the
State were specially represented in the
membership of this commission, and
all were given a hearing and due con-
sideration.
The majority of this commission
have reported bill which they be-
heve will secure substantial equaliza-
ton of taxation upon all classes of
property, and will remove measurably
the unjust burden which the present
system entails upon real estate.
Your Committee offers some statis-
tics gathered by them for your con-
sideration as showing the aggregate
amount of the different species of
property belonging to the people of
this State, the taxes collected there
upon. and the proportionate rate of
taxation thereon.
We regard these as necessary fac
tors to enable us to ascertain the
actual results Of our present system
and indicate the best methods of re-
vision of taxation.
First, as to the amounts owned and
invested in Pennsylvania belonging to
the various corporations of the State.
We will take the amounts of the capi-
tai stock and bonds, representing the
interest bearing Indebtedness as af-
fording a means of fairly estimating
the value of the railroads and other
common carriers, the transportation
and transmission companies.
Taking the official reports Of the
Secretary of Internal Affairs 1888
authority:
Railroads paid up Capi-
tai Stock, (P. 71a).... sT6,O66,3l5
Railroad funded debts,
etc, P. 71a)....... s65,7as,eas s1,6i1 ,7so,els
Passenger X. r. Capt.
tai Stock Pd. (P. 1O6a) 1s,52s,OOO
Passenger X. X. Bonds,
etc, P 106a)......-. 1O,126,OOO S,653,0OO
Canals capital stock,
paid, P. 135a). ...... 5025g,000
Canals bonds, etc., P
rs6a) ~................ 47,4O6,OOO a,o65,ooO
Telegraph and tele-
phones capital stock
paid, (P. 145a) ....... :. 92E 900
Telegraphs and tele-
phone bonds, etc.,. 12,6960O 105,267, 600
Total transportation and transmits
SION Co., .............. $l,SI3,5'b,uOO
ELIMINATES OF AUDITOR-GENERAL TO TAX COM
MISSION AS TO PERSONAL PROPERTY.
Merchantle property
eStInaJe ............ $oUUU.WW d..
Money on interest .... 5000OO,000
Manufacturing Co., 150,0OOOO
Banking capital ...... 100OOO,0O0
Salaries and occupat'n S5,0OO,OOO
building and loan as
s0ciations. .......... 75OOO,OOO
Horses...... ........... 3OOOO,OOO
Cattle. a.. ............. 12OOc,OOO
- 81, te5, 900
....... -------
Total, ....-.......... s,a26,OOo,O
This is the gross aggregate Of perso-
nal corporate property and interests
in Pennsylvania. 1t is, beyond ques-
tion, the most valuable as regards the
rate of income and the gross receipts
thereon. Much of it is now exempt
ed from all taxation by law in def
ance of the ninth article of the Consti-
tuition. None, of it, except horses