The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-10-01
What They Would do for
Washington County.
They Would Increase the Value of
Taxable Property $96S,000,
And Furnish Employment for all Of
Our Surplus Labor.

ANNBNA ~ NiNAANA W NAiS HAAl ~ N''V
pencil Or a dodge of the compositor's
eye. | intended to write "the amount
the two roads would pay annually to|
the trustee or tax collector would not
fall short OF $4,000" (not $4,000, and
that the fractional interest the county
was asked to take in the two roads was
"a fraction over one-third" (not one
eighth of the value Of the two lines
within the county
Whilst writing let me briefly review
the results foreshadowed by my calcu-
lations:
The two roads, when completed
through the county, would increase
the value of taxable property within
the county S96S, 400. That is, the added
values of the two roads in the county
amounting to $4,000, and the en-.
HANGED value uf the adjacent lands
amounting to $51S,400 In one sense,
it would be, practically, as ii a space
in our territory was created bypush-
ing the existing surface apart so as to
set down $96S, 400 worth OF new taxable
real estate, by no means simply to be
used as an additional source of reve-
nue., but, also, to be employed as a
source Of actual commercial profit to
the owners and to the general public
There is still another item Of added
real estate value which ought to be
considered in this connection, at
which | will make a guess and leave
the reader to correct it ii wrong. The
nine new depots will suppose to be
located on areas Of land now not
valued above $4,000 each. Villages or
towns will spring up as if by magic.
At the end Of five years from the com
pletion Of the roads, what would these
new towns sell for on an average? Not
less than $25,000 and possibly above
$4,000. Suppose we guess 100000.
This would give clear gain in each
case Of $4,000, or an aggregate OF
$225000. Add this to the f)rmer esti-
mate and it makes the total increase
of taxable value in the county, as re-
suit of the road building, amount 10
81 ,193,400. This, at the present rate
of taxation (95c. on the 5000 would
yield an additional tax aggregate
amounting to S11 1857.
1t will be noted that all my figures
are based on estimates Of increased
values along and adjacant to the lines
of road 1t would therefore follow that
the body Of increased taxation
to meet the interest on the 100000 OF
bonds would fall on the lines of roaC
built, and the adjacent real estate
owners. That is so, but such citizen
owners will not complain, for, they
will be made enough richer to enable
them to pay more, as easily as they
formerly paid less
But, in view Of these figures, do, o.
would citizen voters in parts OF the
county remote from the new roads
complain because, so to speak, tht
commercial tightening does not STRIKE
them? Well, they have two sources
of consolation. First, their burdens
of personal taxation will not be in
creased by these new features of gooc
fortune to the county; and second,
the construction and maintenance 0
the roads will extend a general benC
fit throughout the county. Let u
look at some of this class of items.
First, the grading Of the forty-fy
miles of road-bed will cost not les
than $225,0O0. Second, there will b
about 118,800 crossties required, whic
at thirty cents each, will amount t
$35,640. These two items amount t
$260,640. The great body of thi
amount will be paid OUT in the count!
And, il the iron manufacturin
interests progress at Johnso
City, as feel sure the
will, the rails and equpmer
iron for the new roads will be man,
featured and paid for in the count:
This will add over 100000 more to Il
dollars turned loose in the count,
swelling the aggregate to over T45(
600. And note this These amour
are but a part Of the inflow Of none
to result from the construction of Il
new roads. THE COMETS text whe
fully expounded will exhibit the 9th,
items.
Let me only add this for the eye
the citizen voter. The best al
easiest place to make money is whe
there is plenty OF money. The be
place to get good employment at goc
rates OF payment is where a lars
amount OF labor is required, and IL