The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-03-04
ESPECIAL TO THE PREssJ

Augusta, March 3-The eminent at
torneys who are here to look after the IT,
terests of the railroads arc being kept de.
oidedly busy this winter. There was
added one more to their list Of troubles
today. IL came in the shape of bill to
increase the tax paid to the state by the
railroads companies, and it is as much Of
a sensation in the way as was the intro
duction of tho mileage ILLS. Young Mr,
Gardiner of Pntten introduced the bill but
the question of increasing the tax paid by
the railroad ccm panies has been discussed
for some time by members who are not
practically interested in the mileage
movement In fact, the question was
raised teiore the mileage bills had been
introduced. The system of taxing rail-
roads in Maine Is based on the gross earn
ings per mile of road in the State, the
amount to be paid being graded In pro-
portion to tho amount Of the earnings.
MIR. Gardeners bill amends tho existing
law by changing these rates in such a
way that the tax would probably be about
doubled The presentation of the bill
created discussion all over the building
and 1t was decidedly the topic of the day.
Mr.. Manley, who besides being a repre-
sentative OF Augusta is a director OF the
Maine Central, takes the ground that the
leading Maine railroad Is now paying in
taxes an amount equal to two per cent,
the per eentage being reckoned on the five
millions of capital stock. Judge Foster,
In his speech on the mileage question.
said the Maine Central paid one half of
one per cent In making his calculation,
Judge Foster based his figures on the
money invested in the road and with both
stock and bonds, that foots up to twenty
millions and over. Mr. Manley says tn e
corporation should not bs taxed on its
debts and that the bonds are debt. $50
is the mortgage on my house, debt, =
was the reply of member to whom the
remark was addressed, but l have not
noticed any decrease in my taxes since
the mortgage was put on.
In tine discussion of the matter after the
adjournment of the House, the statement
was made that neither the Bangor and
Aroostook nor the Washington county
roads now pay taxes. Their charters
exempt them in consideration of an agree
time of Gar.
The introduction of the bill was not
favored by all who favor.a mileage law.
Some at least of the men in that move
mert do not believe 1t wise thing to
stir up the tax question at this time.
When MIR. Gardner introduced his bill
he moved that after 1t is printed, 1t be
referred to the committee on taxation, Sc
II this motion prevails, the railroad COM
mittee will not be called upon to act on
the bill. The committee ON taxation con
sists of Senators Hodsdon of Cumberland,
Pike of York. and Fernald of Aodroscog-
gin. and Representatives Hutchins OF
Brewer, Boawe i of Hallowell, Jordan OF
Lisbon, G.rdie Of Mercer. Sawyer oi
Limington. kallook of South Thomastor
and Gai oeion of Lewiston. 1t has practi-
cs!ly had nothing to 10 this year hut now
gets one of the important measures CT the
session.
In introducing the bill this morning.
Mr.. Gardner spoke briefly. lie said tha'
the matter WAS in a certain sense in the
rough and he had not had an opportunity
TO make caieful estimates Inc effect oi
the blll as he figured it would he to raise
the taxes on all railroad properti In the
state. 1t would either be necessary tC
raise the state tax or tn procure mott
revenue from some other sonrce. Mem-
bers must face their constituents eltnel
on one ground CT the other.
at is a fact no map can gainsay, SAID
Mr. G irdner, "ihat the railroads do moi
pay just propiItT tax. ID is also fac'
that no railroad official Sill move Il
remedy this state OF things. There is 4
suspicion that The rule has Ceen 10 sac no
how much but how littlo tie roads vii
pay. The present method OF the taxation
of railroad property Is only an artibcia
one. Outside of the moderate sums pait
on buildings and GROUNDS, tee railruad
pay only on earnings.