The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1895-04-27
R4xLROAD ASSESSMENT

RAILROAD ASSESSMENT
In another column will be found
an account of the meeting of the
Board of Assessors. The board
met for the purpose of fixing the as
sessment on the property of the
railroad, telegraph and telephone ,
companies doing business in the
parishes composing this district. In
the assessment of Morgan's Louis
lana and Texas railroad running
from Alexandria to New Orleans the
board reduced the rate $500 per
mile; instead of keeping it at last
years figures, $1,000, it was lowered
to 5000 per mile.
Messrs. Duchamp, Dupont and
Buchanan voted to have the assess
ment remain at $1,000. Mr.. Blu
chanan has had much experience in |
railroad matters and his opinion
in this case is entitled to considera-
BILE weight.
In this action we believe the
board was clearly in the wrong.
Last year the assessment of this
road was fixed.at $1,000 per mile,
and it was then deemed just and
fair by both the railroad and asses
sors. We are unable to see by
what process of reasoning the men,
bers who made this reduction will
explain their votes to their con-
stituents. 1t can not be On account
of the hard times, for if the hard
times have affected the business of
this road it was not caused by a re-
duction of freight charges. If such
thing has taken place folks in
these parts know nothing about it.
S. IF there has been any reduction on
few articles, it has been imper.
ceptibly small. And as the freight
traffic from this section last yeal
was very large the revenue of thu
road could not have been on the
decline. The railroad can not en-
ter the plea of hard times in thu
advocacy of a reduction of then
taxes.
Mr.. Kruttshnitt said that tn
Texas and Pacific had been assessed
$1,000 per mile, and unless the sam
assessment were placed on his roa
it would not be in position t
compete with the Texas and Pac
fic. If there has been any comp
tition between these two roads, tt
have so far failed to perceive ar
difference in the freight charges.
This board had nothing to {
with the action of other board
Its members were appointed to
the assessment at its true valuatit
irrespective of what other boar
might have done with the proper
of other roads, and they failed
do so and were derelict in the pr
Torrance of their sworn duty.
Mr.. Kruttschnitt claimed that t
superiority of his road and its fin
improvements were no reason to
sess it at higher figures than
Texas and Pacific. The Gaze
would like to know why the Pre-
ertv of other people should be
sessed according to the value OF
improvements, if the same rea
does not hold good with the P
perty of railroad people.
The commissioners Messrs.
chanan of Lafayette and Bryan
Calcasieu, who voted on the ass
ment of the Louisiana Western r
very properly fixed it at the reas
able figures of $1,000 per mile.
railroad people naturally wal
this roads assessment reduced
same as that of the. other n
For .his no one will blame TT
They would be fools if they
not try to have their assessor
lowered as much as possible.
The Gazette believes that
railroad people should be tire
Nth the utmost fairness, more
henefactors than like enemies;
should be encouraged, rather
discouraged, but they shoul
treated like other property-hol
The assessment of private cit
was not reduced, and it is
tight injustice to reduce the
Eoad's