The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-08-04
NOTICE ON COMMISSION
WAS SERVED BY COMMISSIONER
OHIO WILSON.
HE FAv0RS A GRADUATED SYSTEM
The Commission Finishes Hearing Exceptions
as to Tax Valuation Southern
Got All the Reduction it Asked
The Seaboard Part.

The railroad rate question, freight ana
passenger is to be again opened up Ior
a rehearing before the Railroad Com
mission. :,
"Since assessments are now made,
said Commissioner Ohio Wilson, 1 give
notice that | shall as soon as hscal re-
ports are in, move to readJust the rates
in accordance herewith.
The annual reports, which are made
m June Both. will be out about the
middle of September. Therefore, unless
Mr.. Wilson changes his mind before that
time. the rate question will come before
the Commission at the October meeting
and q time then be set for hearing.
1t will be remembered that when the
question was considered several weeks
ago, Mr.. Wilson dissented from the opin-
ion of the Commission that rates were
now high enough. In dissenting, how
ever, he stated that he desired to await
the action of the Commission in regard
to tax valuation before discussing the
rate question further.
Only a very small increase, less. than
$4,000, 600, has been made in tax yalua-
ton of railroad property, and yesterday
Mr.. Wilson gave notice that as soon as
he was able to examine the annual re-
ports of the various roads of the State
he would move to again take up the
rate question.
He thinks rates ON many roads now
none too high. but on others he considers
them much too great. He says he is in
favor of q graduated rate-low on roads
that pay big dividends and high on those
that are struggling to keep out OF the
hands of receiver.
The Commission yesterday concluded
the hearing Of exceptions as to over
valuation Of railroad property. Some
slight. reduction was allowed the Sea-
board and the entire reduction asked
by the Southern was granted.
Mai. John d. Shaw, of Rockingham,
appeared for the Seaboard. He argued
against the general increase OF valua-
ton in railroad property, declaring that
the cry for an increase was not directed
at any other species Of property. And
this disproportion of taxes, he said, was
creating a sentiment over the country
that is unhealthy and dangerous.
He asked that the Raleigh and Au
gusta road and the Carolina Central be
allowed to remain the same as last year
$4,000 per mile each-instead of $4,000
for the Carolina Central and S11, 900 for
the Raleigh and Augusta. He did not
think the earnings of the road justified
such a valuation.
1.-THE low valuation of private property
to-day is a fight of the people against
the high rate of taxation fixed by the
Legislature. But | never expect to see
the tax rate reduced. 1t has not been
the history of taxes to go lower, they ever
tend upward. L think it will be some
time before / hear a clamor in this State
for an increase in the valuation of pri-
vate property"
II think you will hear it very soon"
said Commissioner Ohio Wilson.
''Well, l want to see the man who
starts it." replied Maj. Shaw.
Maj. Wilson said the Raleigh and Gas
ton and Seaboard were placed at lower
valuation than other roads in the State
for the reason that these lines have to
pay the losses on the Carolina Central
and the Georgia, Carolina and Northern.
This Maj Shaw said he realized and
appreciated, but he thought too much
was put on some of them.
AT the afternoon session, after con-
sidering the argument, the Commission
made slight concession on the Georgia,
Carolina and Northern Railroad, reduc-
ing it from $4,000 per mile to $4,000. AS
to the other requests of the Seaboard
they were denied.
Atlantic and Charlotte Air Line was
reduced from $4,000 per mile to $11 800.
The Western North Carolina Railroad
was made $500 all the way through,
instead of $500 and $4,000. These are
the Southern They mean a decrease in
valuation of about $4,000.
FARMING JANDS WANTED