The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-17

Pursuant to the order Of adjourn
ment issued by Judge Willis two weeks
ago, the January grand jury convened
yesterday forenoon in the criminal
court room. MoritZ Helm was also on
hand
Addressing the grand jury, Judge
Willis announced that he had been in
formed through a communication from
a highly respectable source, from Nor
itz Helm, that serious abuses existed
IN the matters of the assessments and
taxation which were alleged to be I'M
fair and discriminating. The court de-
sired to call the attention of the grand
jury thereto
BY direction of the court the deputy
clerk then read Mr.. Helms commune
cation, which The Globe published
at the time it was submitted to the
court.
Judge Willis instructed the grand
jury that it's duty was to examine each
charge and report whether these charg-
es could be sustained.
1t was to be wished that the jury
would find DO foundation for the
charges, since the court and all good
citizens would indulge the hope that
no such abuses existed in this state,
vailed to so pre-eminent an extent.
If the grand jury should find that
there was foundation for the charges,
it would become their duty to proceed
by preSentment or Indictment against
those officials whose malfea sance, mis-
feasance or non-feasance had permit
ted such abuses to arise. Mr.. Helm
had prepared data in support of his
representa- tions to the court, and would
give the jury the benefit of his work.
The court would do all in its power
to assist the jury in their investiga-
TORS.
The jury then retired, and remained
in session for the remainder of the
forenoon and for an hour in the after
noon. Mr.. Helm was not summoned to
appear before that body yesterday, but
will be asked to do so this forenoon.
The grand jury devoted its time to
considering Jail cases. among them
that of G.. w. Dye, the indictment of
whom on the charge of forgery was
dismissed by reason Of insufflciency in
form. In ALL eight cases were consG-
cred.
Moritz Helm, speaking about his ac-
ton in the matter, said, yesterday:
believe that should have the support
of all honest and law abiding citizens in
this matter; without that my efforts may be
in vain. 1t is a subject which is liable to
take up all the time and means within
persons command. | don't expect for the
present to take up anything more than, per
haps, the taxes of the St Paul City Rail
way company; the reason desire to make
a start upon that company is because be-
lieve it to be the most offending tax-evader.
The company pays over $4,000 year to The
state of New Jersey for the privilege of hav-
ing it's articles of incorporation filed there;
of course, 1 say the company, but it is the
people of the Twin Cities pay it; it takes
$1,000 people of the Twin Cities to step on
and off the cars to pay the companys taxes
in the state of New Jersey.
They do not have TO go to the Klondike to
make million dollars. They have cleared
net profits not less than $1000,009 in both
cities annually ever since 1891; and, they
claim that their operating expenses annual
ly amount to 81, 090 GOO also. They must
necessarily make a net profit in this city
annually of at least 100000 g.
How will you get at The value of their
property" he was asked.
l will ask some of our railroad magnates
in this state; and they may say, by the net
profits which the company has made an
nually, and will surely make as long as we
live here. The company has not paid one
cent of taxes on its valuable franchise prior
to last year; and only after judge of the
district court charged the grand jury to in
vestigate whether they were paying; and,
then our assessing authorities put them
down, l think at $500, 900 valuation which
means about $4,000 in taxes; where their
franchise enabled them to clear $500 000 in
that year in this city alcne The poor widow
whose husband left her $1,000 and she in
vests it in a st. Paul real estate mortgage,
is required to pay thereon tax of $21 into
the county treasury; now, then, why should
not this company pay 10 the county taxes on
the basis of a valuation of at least s., 900 600,
which would mean at the rate of 8 per cent
a profit of what they make here now $780,
600, and on the basis of such valuation the
county would receive annually $100, GOO in
taxes.
Yes, l have seen some people sneer at
me. 1t is not my fight, but the peoples
I claim that during the past six years the
company evaded paying at least from $50
600 to $75, 900 per annum and wish to wake
up the authorities who have in charge the
assessments of property in this county and
receive good salaries to perform such du
ties, 10 compel the company now to pay into
the county treasury what the company,