The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-03-24
IDAHO'S ASSESSORS
They Meet the State Board of
Equalization.
DISCREPANCIES IN VALUATIONS
Assessment of Railroad Property-Higher in
Idaho Than In Kansas, Iowa and
Other Western states-PocateIIo News.

BOISE CRY, Idaho, March 23.-fSpecial
telegram to THE HERALD. The assessors
OF the various counties met the state board
OF equalization in the senate chamber this
morning. Quite number of Citizens were
present. General Roberts made some ad-
dltlonal statements as to the objects of the
meeting, which were to change ideas as to
assessments Of various classes of property
In different parts of the state. 1t seems
That according to the decision of the
supreme court, the board erred in revising
the superintendent of the assessors. Moth
Ing in the decision of the supreme court
1oroids the board from originally making
assessments of railroad and telegraph
lines running through more than one county
In the state. Had the board gone On and
equalized such taxes without any refer
ence to the assessors, it is probable that
no difficulty would have occurred. The
BOARD Will meetin April and proceed origin
ally TO make new assessments General
ROBERTS says he is in favor of putting all
property at its fair cash value. The fol-
lowing resolution was passed:
RESOLVED, That each assessor be in
structed to assess all property, including
railroads, telephone and telegraph lines in
his county, and that he use his best efforts
TO assess equally and uniformly all prop
erty in his county.n
The roll was then called and the assessors
were Intercepted as to their assessment
OF various classes of property and the basis
on which they made their estimates Great
variance was observed in the assessments
o. the same classes OF property in different
parts of the state.
Governor Wiley called attention TO the
TACT mat In Elmcre county cattle were as
sessed at Sll.27 and in Logan, an adjoining
county, at Sl636 head Sheep had been
put all the way from 81 to So a head. 1t
thought that assessors should come to an
agreement on uniform value in the same
classes Of property.
Much discussion was had as TO the apor-
Torment OF Railroad property by the state
board. This body has been uniustly crit
clsed Tor difference of opinion between
themselves and county assessors on this
SUBJECT. The discussion. throWed much
Lght on this matter, and the assessors are
disposed TO think the state board had done
about right. The difficulties arose from
not knowing the true value of railroad
property. Mr.. Scribner, the tax agent of
the Union Pacific, said that the branch
ROADS We're being operated at loss to the
company. Thirty per cent. of the amounts
derived from Idaho traffic goes for taxes in
ldaho. The gross earnings of the branch
INES were S24, % 0, and they paid in taxes
81, ouO, about 90 per cent In addition to
this, about 20 per cent. of the gross earn
lngs was paid out for operating expenses.
Mr.. Scrlbner thought St, 500 a mile about
right. The state board of equalization had
put the main lines at $1,000
per mile, $1,000 for the branch lines
In Kansas their lines had been
put at 50, 200 per mile, in Iowa S., 300. in Ne
oraska S5,4OO, in Montana 50, 200, IN Wyo-
mlng $500, in Oregon 81, 800, in Washing
ton 500. Comparison of these figures
with the estimate of the state board will
snow That Idaho has put assessments far
ABOVE the average, and this howl about the
state board being subserVient to the rail
road interests is the merest twaddle. Mr..
Scribner had no fault to find with the
county assessors, as he thought they acted
up TO all the light they had.
w. L. Carson, tax agent Of the Northern
Pacific, in short speech created a favora-
bic Impression for his company, and showed
the assessors in some instances in MAKING.
estimates, failed to consider the expenses
OF running q road.
I. Is. Horton, assistant superintendant
of the Western Union Telegraph company.
also addressed the board, giving the cost OF
building, running expenses, etc., of their
lnes. Attention was called to the fact that
the law made 1t the duty of assessors to
make out lists of all persons liable to mill
tary duty. The board adjourned till to-
morn ow at 9 o'clock 1t was thought that
harmonious action will be agreed upon.