The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-01
COMMENCED YESTERDAY
The Hearing Takes Place at the
Federal Building.
THE RAILROADS PUT ON WITNESSES
Witnesses From Moore, Wayne, Union and An
son Counties Testify to differentiation,
But Say There is no Regularity as
to Rate Ct Over Valuation.

The taking of evidence in the rail
way taxation case was commenced
here yesterday. Judge James a. Shep-
herd the master commissioner, APP
pointed by Judge Simonton presides.
The State is represented by Messrs.
Simmons, Pou and Ward, of this city,
and George Rountree of Wilmington.
The roads by Messrs. John G.. Shaw, of
Rockingham and Capt. w. II. Day and
Mr. \. b. Andrews, Jr., of this city.
and Mr.. Geo. Rountree, of Wilmington.
waite secretary, was also present at the
sitting.
Twelve witnesses were examined.
They were from the counties of Moore,
Arson, Wayne, Union, and Scot
land They all testified that real
estate in their respective counties was
undervalued. Several of the witnesses
stated that the differentiation was as
great as forty per cent. of the present
value of the land. All said that they
knew of land assessed at a value below
what it would bring at a forced sale.
They ALSO testified that there was no
regularity in the undervaluation. 1t
was brought out on the cross eXami-
cation of each witness that there was
no understanding as to what the rate
of differentiation shall be.
The fact was also brought out that
good and substantial men were on
! the assessing boards. and that those
who have this work in charge are rep
resentative men of the counties.
! Several of the witnesses also testi-
| fled that there was land in their coun-
| ties that would not bring the value at
which it is assessed. This, they testi-
! fled, is not the rule, but such instances
are not infrequent. number OF
witnesses testified to this state of
facts. declaring that there were many
such tracts.
| Others. who on direct examination,
testified that land in their counties
was not valued for taxation at what
it would bring if sold, admitting ON
cross examination that the price of
real estate had risen since the last as
sessment.
The railroads contention is that the
naturalization is systematic. but the
evidence taken yesterday contradicts
this.
The examination of witnesses last
ed from o'clock until 6. Twelve
witnesses were examined. At 6 o'clock
the court adjourned until 10 o'clock
today.
The following witnesses were exam
ined: William Rachels, Oallum, Scot
land County; Sheriff S. NJ. Jones, Of
Moore county; Mr.. ID. A. Mcdonald,
clerk of Superior court of Moore
county; l.. p. Tyson, Carthage, Moore
county: w. l.. Lee. Goldsboro; q. {.
Graves, Carthage, Moore county; r.. +.
Marrow, Monroe. Union county; b. II.
Horne, Union county; H. a. Page,
! Aberdeen. Moore county; &. w. Hunt
! ly Nadesboro, Union county; ID. l..
! Saylor. Wadesboro, Arson county, and
| A. A. Horne. Wadesboro.
/ Mr.. Henry Page testified that unim-
proved land in Moore county was as
ssesed at full value, and improved land
at about two-thirds its value.
Mr.. Lee. of Goldsboro, testified that
property in Wayne county is usually
4 assessed at about three-fourths OF
value, but some is overvalued.
Mr.. L. p. Tyson gave instances of