The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-06
VALUE OF THE BELT
FURTHER EVIDENCE IN THE UNION
RAILWAY A HEARING.
Tax Commissioners Tell What They
Think the System Is worth
Argument ON To-day.

Argument in the Union railway tax case
will begin to-day. The State closed its
case yesterday afternoon with the testi-
money of attorney F.. j. Van Vorhis. The
witness, in 1891, was employed by. the coun-
ty to represent its interest before the State
Tax Commission. Prior to his connection
with the board the attorney closely in
vestigated the property of the Union and.
Belt railway and formed the opinion that
it must be worth at least $,000,00. He did
not believe that the property had. since
1891, decreased in value. On cross-examina-
ton attorney Van Vorhis admitted that
there was a contingent fee in 1891. His
opinion as to the value Of the property had
been largely formed from the reports sub
mitted by the various railroad companies
as to the cost of construction per mile.
The reports showed that a mile of the
average railroad cost about $4,000. The
witness did not know what it cost to build
the Belt road.
Captain Allen, of Frankfort, was a men,
Der of the Board of Tax Commissioners in
1893. He was called by the State to testify
as to the value of railway properties and
corroborated the statements of attorney
Van VorhiS regarding the Union and Belt
property. He said that the board of 1893
burden upon the linton Rai.way company.
He thought the cash value of the Belt rail-
road, exclusive of the stock yard property,
was about 100000, and Stimated the
value Of the Union Station and tracks at
the same figure. Captain Allen admitted,
on cross-examination, that prior to 1898 he
had no knowledge of the value of railroad
property. He had once officiated as a, rail-
way director and believed the average cost
of a railroad was $4,000 a mile.
Col. i. N. Walker, another member of the
board of 1893, placed the value of the prop
erty under discussion at S6,U0O, 600. Colonel
Walker denied that there had been preju-
1fon On h - 8 ~
the property. He thought the members of
the commission had been actuated by mo-
tives of honesty in all their deliberations.
Mrs. Steinruck's Allowance.
Edward Steinruck was before Justice
Johnson yesterday morning to answer to
the charge of wife desertion. The evidence
showed that since his marriage four years
ago his wife has been living at her parents
home, No. 3s1 South Meridian street: Her
provide for herself and two children. Not
long ago the children became i'll and Mrs.
Steinruok says her husband refused to give
her money to get medical aid. Justice
Johnson gave her a judgment.
Criminal Court Cases.
In the Criminal Court. yesterday, Jesse
Horton, a fourteen-year-old boy, was ar
raigned for petit larceny. On June 10 he
was convicted OF the same offense and re-
uuQC d SuSpCIuSu pukIIltHI lis
guilt being manifest, upon a hearing of the
evidence yesterday the order ~suspending
the former judgment was rescinded and he
was sent to the Reform School for Boys.
William Hurt, indicted for grand larceny,
was released on his personal bono in the
sum Of $1,000.
A Suit Against Walter j. Hubbard.
The Carthage Turnpike Company has sued
Walter J. Hubbard to recover money which
it is alleged came into his hands as treas
urer of the company. and which he failed
to turn over to the company upon his re-
-irement from Office. The amount alleged
to have been withheld is $140.S3.
A Bench Warrant for Guard Green.
John Green, the Michigan City peniten-
tiary guard who was cited to appear in the
Criminal Court for criminal negligence,
failed to appear yesterday and a bench
warrant was issued for his arrest for con-
tempt of court. NAS deputy sheriff has gone
to Michigan City after him. q
Walker Used n Cue.
William Walker and John Lyons, colored,
quarreled in Fred Weiland's saloon, No. 16
Prospect street, yesterday afternoon over
a game of pool. walker struck Lyons on
the head with a cue, making an ugly cash.
He was afterwards arrested by detectives
nnhnrt and ATqCnf