Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1895-08-23

WV yOdlo VI = were oqudllAou dO SO.
On motion of Mr.. Dryer COWS two years
old and over we're equalized at sl2. On
motion of Mr.. Guptil, all other cattle
were equalized at 500, and on motion of
Mr.. Briggs, range cattle we're e4ualized
at $40.
Mr.. Wallace moved that mules be
equalized at $50, and the motion was
carried, all members voting aye. Hogs
we're equalized at $3.50.
When the question of sheep values
came up, there became apparent quite a
difference OF opinion. Mr.. Briggs moved
that they be equalized in value at 81.
Mr.. Dryer moved as an amendment that
they be equalized at S1.50. On the
amendment, Messrs. Stevens, Dryer and
Cowan voted yes, and Messrs. Clifford,
Widmyer, Guptil, Strickler, Wallace,
Allin and Briggs voted no. The amend
ment was lost, and the original motion
carried. A motion to reconsider was
afterward carried, and MI. Cowan moved
that they be equalized at S1.15, which
motion was lost. Mr.. Dryer then moved
that they be equalized at S1.10, which
motion was also lost. Mr.. Briggs then
renewed the original motion for equaliza-
ton at 81, and the motion was carried,
all members voting aye but Messrs.
Dryer and Cowan.
MI. Guptil then moved that all other
personal property be equalized as re-
turned and equalized by the county
boards of equalization. Before the mo-
ton was carried there was a discussion
as to the right of the board to equalize
bank stocks, and G. H. .Anheier adj
dressed the board. No action was taken
i n the matter, and Mr.. Guptil's motion
was carried. 1t was also decided that
all increases or decreases in percentum
Of valuation be in five, or multiples
thereof.
The matter of railroad taxation was
again taken up, and Mr.. Crandon of the
Northwestern line renewed his argu-
ments of Tuesday before the board.
Mr.. r. A. Wilkinson, representing the
Great Northern line, also appeared and
addressed the board, presenting figures
to show the same facts as to profits 8
alleged by the other roads, and asking
that the valuation be made in considera-
ton Herewith. The board is meeting
this afternoon, and the valuation of the
several roads will be fixed before an a d.
journmert is taken.
The state board of equalization COM
pleted its duties and adjourned Wednes-
day afternoon. The work of fixing the
valuation of the railroad property in the
state occupied the afternoon session, and
atits opening MI. Wilkinson of the Great
Northern made another address to the
board, upon about the same lines as
those already made in behalf Of the other
roads. The Northern Pacific was the
first road to be considered, and it was
moved by Mr.. Dryer and seconded by
Mr.. Strlckler that the road be assessed
per mile upon it's 1854 miles of main
line as follows:
) 1OC
5OO
l,UOu
Rolling 900
This made a total of $4,000 per mile.
Attorney General Cowan, in discussing
the question, said he thought the figure
was too low. He wanted to see it assessed
at a value proportionate to the value OF
other property in the state. He said
other property had been assessed at from
one-third to one-half it's value, and
wanted railroad property assessed the
same. The question of exemption, as
urged by the road, or of the legal status
OF the matter, was not to be considered
by the board. They were not there tc
determine as to the title of property, but
to fix it's value. The assessment he die
not believe to be equitable, as compared
to the value which would be placed on
the main line Of other roads, in which
no question was involved, and if the
values we're not equitably fixed, the tax
might not stand.
Messrs. Guptil and Stricken thought
that in consideration Of all the facts the
valuation was a fair one. They did moi
wish to provoke any complications OF