The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-31
LISTENED TO THE PLEAS
Railroad Men Before the Board
of Equalization.
AN INCREASE WAS MADE
The Great Northern Northern Pacific
and B. A.. d p. Come Ii For 1t,
While the Other Roads
Are Reduced.
Special Dispatch to the Standard.

bPcCidl DlSpdtCn 10 the standard
Helena. July 3o.-The state board of
equalization to-day decided upon as
sessments for 1898 upon the various
railroads Of Montana. This is about
the most important proceeding of the
board, and the duty was no accom-
plished until the board a performed
a vast amount of figuring and listened
to the pleas of the representatives Of
the roads who come here annually to
argue for a low assessment. There
were several conferences with the rail-
road men. interspersed with executive
sessions of the board, before definite
conclusions were reached. 1t was ex-
pected that the total railroad assess
ment would exceed that of last year
by at least $500, 900. As finally decided
upon, however. the increase is less than
$lz0,O0O. The valuation per mile of four
roads was increased and the other four
decreased, so that when the balance
was struck Ii showed an increase Of
$lls, 220.SO over last years figures. AS
might be expected, the representatives
OF the four a that were increased
are not the happiest men in Helena to-
night. The Northern Pacific and the
Great Northern received the largest in
crease. while the Butte, Anaconda IL
Pacific came next.
The morning was devoted 10 hearing
Mr.. Halloran of the Butte, Anaconda
Il Pacific, Mr.. Pollard of the Big Horn
Southern, Mr.. Brady of the Great Falls
q Canada, Mr.. Evans of the Oregon
Short Line and Mr.. Harlowe of the
Montana railroad. Mr.. HalIoran said
he hoped his DAD would not be in
creased over last years assessment.
Mr.. Pollard said that last year the Bur-
lington lost $751; 900 on its Montana CON
nection, and the other two road repre-
sentatives asked for reductions. Then
the board went to figuring. occasionally
calling for some of the railroad men TO
explain their contentious. The result
of the boards deliberations
late this afternoon, makes the total
valuation of the railroads of the state
Sl3, 1913, 2l3.35, against S13, 674, 052.5 5 last
year. The increases were Northern Pa
ciic. $110. 100; Great Northern, 1884. 666;
Butte, Anaconda & Pacific, s51.337;
Montana railroad, S35, 912, or a total IF
$685., o45.s0 These increases were par
TALLY offset by a decrease Of 1852, S25,
divided as follows: Big Horn South
ern, $50,S70; Oregon Short Line. S63, 205;
Great Falls & Canada, S66, $50. The diff
ference gives the increase named $119,-
220.S so.
The assessment of the Great North
ern proper. 41s.63 miles. was placed at
1880 per mile, an increase of 5000; the
Pacific extension, 3S3.40 miles, s $4,000. no
change; Montana Central, 172.55 miles.
$500, an increase of $500. III leading
branches of the Great Northern were
assessed as follows: Neihart, "a. 500, no
change; Sand Coulee, $1,000, Increase
of $500; Barker branch, SO, 900. a de-
crease of 81, 900.
The main line of the Northern Pacific.
1926 miles, was valued at $50 0 per
mile, an increase of 500. Changes were
made in the assessments of the more
important branches as follows, per
mile: Buttd & Logan, s6,250, decrease
of $3.50; Rocky Fork, IS, 900. increase of
$500; Marysville, increase of 81 LOCO. The
assessments of these branches were
unchanged: Occur d'Alene. 81. $50: Bit
ter Root, &.150; Boulder, 5000; Park
and Philipsburg, $4,000 each.
The main line of the Butte, Ana
n & Pacific was assessed at IS, 900
per mile. an Increase of 81 900, and the
spurs increased from 81 500 to Sc. 900.
The Montana railroad was increased
from $3.50 to $1,000 per mile. The Mon
tana Union was decreased from $1,000
10 $4,000, and its spurs from $4,000 10
5000; the Oregon Short Line from
$500 to $4,000; the Big Horn Southern
from $4,000 to $500, and the Great
Falls e. Canada from So 900 to 81, 500.
The total assessment of the North |
ern Pacific system is s 6 1857, PA. 35; Great |
IS, 456, ADJ: the Short Line.
s75S, AGO; the Big Horn Southern, 1885,
900; Butte, Anaconda & Pacific, S3OS. 94S: |
Union, 1865, 400; Great Falls
& Canada, s200, $50; Montana railroad.
$50. Although belonging to the
Pacific, the Montana Union
is assessed separately. The total rail-
road mileage assessed this year is
1888. IL.