The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-19
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
The Valuation of Stock and
Land Fixed.
MADE. UNIFORM RATE
Stock Cattle Will Be Assessed at $22 so
A Glaring Difference in the Valua-
ton of Land--The Rail-
road Assessment.

Special Dispatch to the Standard.
Helena, July 1S.--The state board of
equalization to-day decided that in view
of the many inequalities in assessment
made by the different assessors of the
state upon cattle and lands a uniform
rate should be decided upon and re-
quest be made to the county boards of
equalization to abide by that rate. The
board accordingly agreed upon a uni
form assessment for all of the classes,
and hopes that the county boards will
accept it.
There appears to be quite difference
in the valuation of cattle. Some asses
sors placed stock cattle at $25 per head,
others at 1923, while many assessed
them at s22 and $3.50. The board be-
leves that in justice to all there should
be uniform rate and to that end will
request the county boards of equalza-
ton to make the rate on stock cattle
$3.50. The county boards will also be
asked to make the valuation Of year.
lings SIS, 2-year-olds $3.50, 3-year-olds
$780, and beef cattle $40.
The assessors have placed the valua-
ton of stock sheep at $2.43 to 49, The
rate of S275 on stock sheep, $2.25 on
lambs and S. on rams.
The board found wide difference in
the valuation of lands and also recon-
mends more uniformity. Some asses
sors have returned hay and grain lands
as low as IS, while others placed them
as high as SIS. The state board con-
siders this wide difference too glaring,
and believes it is the duty to see that
more uniformity Is observed. The
board fixed the assessment of first class
grain lands at $12 per acre; second class
at $40. First class hay lands were val
ued at $40 and second class at 81.
Fenced grazing lands at $3.50; unfenced
at SIPS. The railroad lands in Custer,
Dawson and Yellowstone counties were
placed at so cents an acre and in all
other counties at rs cents.
The board has sent a request to the
county board of Lewis and Clarke
county to ascertain why the net output
of the Drum Lummon mine has never
been taxed, although it is known that
the mine has taken out millions. Sim
liar reminders will be sent to other
county boards wherever the state board
finds the case calls for interference or
suggestion.
During the session the board will
consider the assessment of railroads.
The usual custom of listening to repre-
sentatives of the roads and then max
ing the assessment will not be followed
this year. The board favors the idea
of making the assessment first, then
notifying the roads of its action. II
they have any grievances to offer they
may come before the board at agreed
times and present their objections. The
board will probably decide to hear the
railroad representatives the latter part
of the month. An effort will be made
to assess the sleeping cars separately
from the other rolling stock. The board
threatened to do this last year but did
not get around ITO it. Nearly all of the
| roads in the state claim an interest in
their sleeping cars and maintain that
when they turn in their rolling stock
for assessment they include the Sleep
ers and should not have that property
separately assessed.