The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-08-26
AFTER THE CORPORATIONS
Badham Says They Don't Pay
Taxes on 20 Per Cent
OF THEIR PROPERTY VALUE
While the Citizens of Birmingham Pay Taxes
On From Sixty to Eighty Per Cent
of Their PrOperiy-Mr. Wood
Slys Apps al.

~ ''PPN ~
Back Tax Commissioner II. L. Bad
ham does not appear to be discouraged
by the failure of the county commits
sioners to uphold his increase in the val
uation of the property of the corpora
tions.
- State Tax Commissioner w. ]. Wood
spent yesterday in the city looking over
the ground and inspecting the testimony
and other evidence in the cases that have
been turned down by the court of county
commissioners. rs
Mr. Wood insisted on an appeal being
taken in every case which has not been
compromised by the Interested corpo-
ration. and Commissioner Badham. In
some instances he thinks that Mr.. Bad
ham assessed the property too high, but
as a whole he expressed himself as we'll
pleased with Mr. Badham's work, and
said he would sustain him.
Mr.. Badham is considerably exercised
over a false impression he says prevails
among the people.
81 wish you would set me right In this
matter" he said yesterday afternoon.
'The law creating this office of back tax
commissioner demands that submit to
the county commissioners a list of prop
erty which, in my mind, is undervalued.
After inspecting the list the commission
ers Informed me to ether proceed with
case against the owner, as they believed
the valuation unjust or to keep hands
off. This course has been pursued.
"At first I included some of the city
property in Birmingham and other incor
porated town, but in. every instance the
increase was not allowed. Now do not
deal with that class of property. My
entire work is devted to looking after the
corporations. City property has been in
creased, but this must be attributed to
the county commissioners. Not one of
the increases In Birmingham, Bessemer,
Pratt City. and other incorporated towns,
made by me, has been sustained and
whatever raise made was by the county
commissioners.
Another thing which is very unjust is
Ghe tax paycd by the city people as CON-
pared to the corporations. The former
pay taxes on from 60 to 70 per cent of
the value of their property, while the
corporation do not pay 20 per cent. i
would gladly compromise the corporation
taxes OH a basis of rs per cent, but 1
am unable to have even that eus aimed
would go still further and omit lhe
taxes on their furnaces mills and other
plants, If I could secure a fair adjust
men't of the valuation of their lands
although have received temper
airy set back from the county commits
sioners, the matter is mot settled by any
means The cases will be appealed to the
circuit court"
MIR. Radhnm further said that the Ger
porations refused proposition to select
an experienced mineralogist who would
work with a like man selected by himself
and accept the valuation arranged by
the two.
Decides THE decisions previously given,
che following cases have been disposed
of:
Lady Ensley Coal, Iron and Railway
ompany-or;ginal assessment, $1,000
Present assessment, sS,007. IAN increase
of s3,007 was granted.
Bessener Land and Improvement Com
panyI'rhe original aEsessme MT of $780,
10S as increased to $3.50, a net in
crease of 1900. In this case Mr. Bad
ham was awarded the largest increase
yet allowed
TutWfler Coal IRON AMID Railway Com
pany-The original assessment of $4O,13S
was not disturbed. Mr.. Ba,dham sought
to have it raised to s65,13S
E. M. .Tutwiler-The previous asScss-
ment OF s1S,7 700 on 3,740 acres of m neral
land was not altered. Mr.. Badham's in
crease was s11,S30.
Peoples ice Company-The original as
sessment OF $4,000 was not changed. Mr.
BadhaTn desired to have 1t assessed at
$40, 900.
Warrior Machine Works-The present
assessment of $1,42S, which MIR. Badham
wanted to increase ito $4,000, WAS not al
tered.
Birmingham Gas Company-The orig
inal assessment of $4,000 was increased
by Mr.. Badham TO 100000, which rep
commissioners have the case under ad-
yisemenr.
The Birmingham Water Works Com
pany-Origina1 assessment was 1925, 900.
Mr.. BadIham increased it to $4,000 As