The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-08-24
.BADHAM ON THE WAR PATH |
He viii Appeal to a Higher Court
In Regard to
INCREASED VALUATIONS
In Which the County Commissioners Failed to
Sustain Hm-0ver $780, 900 Increased
Assessments to His Credit

Most of the cases against the larger
corporations in the county commission
ers' court, arising from the effort of Back
Tax Commissioner H. L. Badham to in
crease the valuation of their property
have been completed. In the ajority of
them the increase has not been sustain
ed, and in several instances the original
assessments were reduced
Interest in these cases continues to
spread and the little court room is daily
crowded with onlookers. Every decision
is carefully discussed as to the effect upon
other property
Mr.. Badham, in speaking of the decis-
ions so far rendered, said that he has
not fallen down in his efforts and that
he would show that he had not before
he finished with them. He said the cases
would be appealed to a higher court
probably to the circuit court, where a
the merits of each case.
The cases so far decided are the fol-
lowing:
Sloss Iron and Steel company-The
original assessment was ss47,O0O and Mr..
Badham sought to have it~increased to
$1,104,O00. Not only was the increase not
sustained, but reduction of $24, $50 was
made The reduction was in the valua-
ton of $3.50 tons Of pig iron at So per ton.
which, the court held, should not be
taxed. =.
Howard Harrison Iron company-The
original assessment of $7S, 1875 was raised
by Mr.. Badham to $25OO00. The court
sustained raise to 100000.
Bessemer Land and Improvement COM
pany-The original assessment of $122, 900
was increased to $1S0,0O0 by an agree
ment between the company and the COM
missioners.
Decatur Car Wheel works-The orig
inal assessment was 1850 Mr. Badham
asked for an increase of $780, 900 and was
accorded one of $4,000. The present as
sessment is 81, $50.
Birmingham Railway and Electric
company-The original assessment of
s16S,195 was increased by Mr.. Badham to
$3.50, 1876. The increase was not sustain
ed.
Consolidated Electric Light company
Badham was not sustaiend. The origi-
nal assessment was $4,000.
Pratt Coal, Iron and Railway company
MIR. Badham sought an increase of ST.
900 over the original assessment of $685.
900, and was awarded new valuation
of $4,000. The increase was $4,000.
Harde-Tynes Foundry and Machine
company-An increase to SIS, 900 had been
accepted by agreement but the court
failed to sustain 1t. The original ASSESS
ment was $4,000.
Pioneer Mining and Manufacturing
company-The original assessment of
1911, $40 was not changed. Mr.. Badham
requested an increase to $610,303 1t was
STATED that the company put In the valu-
alton at first at $3.50 per acre, but was
told by the board of equalizers to reduce
that to 81 per acre and the valuation
would be sustained. Naturally that was
done, but there is some property upon
which taxes are paid at a valuation of
$3.50 pr acre.
Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad
company-Mr. Badham requested an in
crease to $2,225, 600. This case was finish
ed late in the afternoon, but the court
adjourned without announcing its decis-
ion. 1t is expected this morning.
; 1t Is thought that the first case to be
taken up this morning will be that of
the Birmingham Rolling Mill company.
The original assessment for 1897 was $685.
600, but Mr.. Badham seeks to increase
it by $4,000
The total amount of the increase grant
ed or sustained by the county commits
sioners is $134,S05 A reduction of $24.-
$50 was granted, however. which gives
the net increase to date as s110,355.
: The cases in which Mr.. Badham has
not been sustained, or in which the in
grease does not come up to his expecta-
tions will be appealed to the circuit
court. With the increases sustained or
Levied by the county commissioners and
the voluntary increase of $1,000,O00 the
work of Mr.. Badham shows rails. of ST.
'11D, 1856.
q