The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-08-22

posed of ana the case of tho Birmingham
Gas company was called for trial. In this
case the commissioner asked that the as
sessment be raised from $780, eco to $S55.0O0
The state announced ready as did the
defendant. President Roden and Secretary
Bivns of the Gas company and Tax Com
missioner Wetmore were sworn as wit
nesses for the state, the oath being ad-
ministered by Captain Ward of the board,
who acted In the capacity of senior judge
of the court, being the only lawyer on the
board.
Mr.. Tillman. for the Gas company, moved
that the "alleged" increased assessment be
quashed on the ground that it was not
specific and did not name the separate
items on which the assessment was
claimed.
He proceeded to dissect the commission
er's list and denied that the good VIII of
a corporation was tangible taxable value
or that taxes had ever been paid upon such
property in the state.
Captain Ward, of the board, asked for
the original return which was furnished by
Tax Assessor Mclaughlin. showing that
the company had assessed all its property
at sS0,0OO
Mr.. Cabaniss called attention to the fact
that the company last year paid taxes on
$190,000 including the increase made by the
board of county commissioners.
Mr.. Roden was placed upon the stand
and was Intercepted by Mr.. Cabaniss re-
garding the income, expenses and other
items pertaining to the business of the
company statement furnished by Secre-
NV bo Witness in
answering the questions which showed that
the gross income of the company was $780,
COZ 90, and the net income after paying
fixed charges about $330O0
Admitted Bonded Indebtedness
Mr.. Roden admitted that the bonded in
debtedness was 100000, on which 1t PAID
6 per cent. and That its capital stock was
$500 600, on which 3 per cent. was paid last
year. He denied that he had received any
offer for his stock except from Sig Steiner,
which offer, he said, he did not consider,
believing that Mr.. Steiner was simply try
ing to raise taxes in order to strengthen
city bonds of which the firm of Steiner
Bros. were large holders.
Mr. Roden further stated that only
small proportion of the stock was held in
the hands of Isidore Newman and assc-
ciates of New Orleans. He stated that in
his opinion the stock was not worth so
cents on the dollar and stated that Mr..
Newman had refused $50 shares which were
offered by Mr.. Hillman at 35 cents
He stated that he did not to dis
pose of his own shares as long as he was
president of the company, the salary of
which office was the only incentive which
made him thong on"
He explained the expense and process Of
manufacturing gas, and stated on cross
examination that before the raise in the
price of iron the plant of the company
could be duplica ted for s150,000.
The case was briefly argued by both
sides, the state centending for an assess
ment of not less than s450,e00. 1t was then
submitted and after a short consultation
the board announced a raise of 900,
making the assessment 900, from which
decision the state appealed.
The corpora ton cases will be taken up
again this morning and continue until all
are disposed of.
Yesterdays session was decidedly in ia
vor of the corporations.