The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-03
HOW IT WAS DONE.
One Explanation of the Way
Taxes Were Reduced
On the Santa Fe Railway, by
the POpulists.
PROPOS OSITION MADE
BY the PopulistS, 1t is
Alleged
And Modified by the Santa te,
is Accepted
A BUSINESS DE A l.
That No Railroad Financler
Would SneeZe At.
And Modified by the Santa Fe,
is Accepted
A BUSINESS DEAL
That No Railroad Financle1
Would Sneeze At.
But 1t Looks Bad for the Re
FORM Administration.

The manipulation of the figures Of the
last state railway assessment, by which
the Santa Fe was given a reduction OF
81, ,792, ,523.O9, was not done with the
knowledge of the whole board of rail-
road assessors. A few members, one in
particular, did the work after the board
had adjourned, and Lieut. Gov. Percy
Daniels, in letter published in connec-
tion with this article, tells what he
knows.
The original figures left the as
sessment as compared with a year
ago about the same. The board merely
revised their former assessment, making
slight increases and decreases where it
was deemed advisable. The total de-
crease did not exceed $4,000 The final
report after the manipulations shows
q decrease of more than $2,000,O00.
A prominent Rock Island railroad man
said to JOURNAL reporter today 81
know the facts regarding the deal by
which the Santa Fe got its 81, 10000 re-
duction. 1t should be stated, in justice
to the Santa Fe officers concerned, that
they d id not seek the doubtful alliance
with the state administration After the
they were confronted with proposition
which, as officers of the road, they
thought was worth considering. They
are business men and as such they act
on business principles.
THE people at the state house wanted
money, whether for themselves or the
campaign fund was not stated, but more
likely both Tax Commissioner E. J.
Cartilage, went to Chicago twice to see
49, -.
of the Populist administration, and the
last time they both went on to New York
10 confer with the higher officers of the
road concerning the offer 1t was de-
cided finally that the road being in the
hands of receivers, and Judge Caldwell
so particular about such things, that no
money could be given over for
political purposes or any other
The Santa Fe then made a propo-
compelled to accept. As the Populists
had made the first offers they were pecu-
liarly and delicately situated, and to
certain extent were at the Santa Fe's
mercy. as the Santa Fe was in position
to tell about the crooked proposition
made to its officials.
THE Santa Fe, however, went SO far
as to keep out of the campaign, Gt was
then in the middle of the summer). and
hOe OuAg 0CoASb run LnS HODu-
lists, but refrain from extending the Re
publicans any sort of aid OF encourage
menL In return for this pledge, which
was kept in good faith by the Santa Fe.
the auditor turned the assessment rolls
over to the Santa Fe tax commissioner.
who changed them to suit himself He
changed them nearly $2.000,000 worth.
"It was further agreed that in case the
Populists were successful last fall tho
Santa Fe might have a still greater re-
duction next time.
lover $1,000, 900 of the reduction ia on
the main line alone. The balance made
after the board had fixed sall other pro-
perty the same as last year. The final
report shows that it isn't the same as
last year by about $6OO,OO0 The assess
ed value latter the manipulationsl on
side track alone was decreased over
100000. The value of buildings was
decreased $4,000. The value on rolling
stock was reduced 100000 Telegraph
lines were out $4,000 and tools. material
and supplies were cut nearly $75. QUO.
Another fact which NAV or NAV not
be Intentional, is an error by which the
total assessment in print is made to an
pear over $145,000 greater than the
figures in the details warrant. This is
either an attempt to cover up the crook
ed work or very bad and inexcusabIe
clerical work.