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

$57,029. OF pianos there are 1887,
valued at s12O,521. Cass county has the
greatest number, 329, and Grand Forks
comes next with 297.
1t is a peculiar fact that the residents
OF Missouri slope country are longer on
diamonds and jewelry that the residents
of the valley. Burleigh county returns
the highest valuation of these valuables
at sl,l4O, while Cass county, the resting
place of numerous dazzling sparklers,
figures their aggregate value at only
1925, which would indicate that there is
considerable Of paste in that neighbour
hood. Kidder county returns 50 worth
of diamonds and jewelry, but whether
it represented a solitaire diamond Or a
Waterbury watch lis not specified. In
the matter of gold and silver plate,
Stutsman county heads the list with
Sl,2lO worth, while Cass reports only
$3.50, and LaMoure county has but SIS
worth within her boarders.
1t is interesting to note that there are
l7,O81 dogs reported. Pembina county
has the largest number of them, 1,494,
Walsh second with 1,463. Billings has
the smallest number, 25, and the other
fourteen thousand may be heard in a
sweetlya blending chorus on any still
night, in the suburbs of the city of Bis
marck.
Real eetate was not assessed this year,
nothing having been returned but addi-
tons to the taxable property which have
been made since last year. The total
of these additions is 377,456 acres, and
the total value $~1,351,295. The largest
increase in acreage comes from Mclean
county, in which 1866 acres have been
added, and the largest increase in value
is from Cavalier, $147,962.
At the. session of the state board of
equalization Tuesday afternoon, the
time was principally occupied in hear
lug the statements of the representatives
of the several roads, as to their ideas of
the question of taxation. The remarks
which were made by T. P. Crandon of
the Northwestern we're followed by those
of George S. Fernald of the Northern
Pacific, D. W. Cassidy of the 500 and
T. S. Mcdonald of the Chicago, Mil
waukee and St. Paul. The addresses of
all the representatives we're in about the
line of the remarks made by Mr.. Gran
don, an outlining of the large expenses
and proportionately small venue of
the roads, and a request for a basis of
taxation in accord with these facts.
Mr.. Fernald, speaking for the North
ern Pacific, brought up the matter of
exemption from taxation, which he said
was provided for in the charter of the
Northern Pacific road by the govern
ment, in what were the territories at the
time the charter was granted. North
Dakota was included in that exemption,
and he thought there was a question as
to the power of the state to tax the road.
But. he said, the Northern Pacific was
friendly to the people of the state, as
they we're to the road, and it was desired
that the relations of the two be har-
monious. The road had had enough of
litigation, and it was desired to escape it
if possible. The road was willing to
compromise on a fair valuation, and
escape litigation over the payment of
tax.
Mr.. Fernald spoke too upon the matter
of branch lines. He referred to the cost
of operation and earnings of the road,
and said that upon the LaMoure branch
of the road a tax was paid equal to Is
per cent Of the gross earnings; upon the
Jamestown and Northern extension the
tax equaled so per cent of the gross
earnings, and upon the James River
Valley 16 per cent.
In this connection, Mr. Clifford brought
out the point that the branch roads were
not to be reckoned upon the earnings
only along their W lengths, but were
additionally valuable as feeders of the
main line.
The addresses of Mr.. Cassidy and Mr.
Mcdonald were brief, but in about the
same line, asking that the comparative
expenses and earnings be considered
and a fair valuation be levied on this
basis.
After these remarks had been heard
the board decided to put over further
consideration of the matter until Wed.
nesday.
LIvE sTOCK EQUALIZATION.
Upon the "postponement of the discus
sion as to railroad taxation and valua.
ton and valuation, Mr.. Guptil moved
that the equalization of values in horses
be taken up. For convenience in equal.
i%zation, the state was divided into three
districts, the counties of Cass, Grand
Forks, Pembina, Richland, Steele, Trail
and Walsh comprising the first district:
the counties of Barnes, Benson, Cavalier,
Eddy, Foster. Grivgs. Nelson. Ramsay