Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-09-07
JOHNSON
Made an Argu-
ment
To the Board of Rail-
road Equalizers.
The Republican Officials
We're Indifferent.
Some Cheap Sarcasm Drew the
Mayors Fire.

Columbus, Sept 5.--Tom L. Johnson
appeared before the State Board of
Railway Equalization yesterday to
present the data collected for him by
Prof. Edward Bemis, the expert, tend
ing to show that the Ohio railroads
are greatly undervalued, In fact are
paying on millions less than valua-
ton proportiOnate to the farm lands
and other real estate.
The Board Is composed exclusively
of Republican State oticials-Auditor
of State Guilbert, Treasurer Cameron,
Railroad Commissioner Morris, and
Attorney General Sheets.
The Ohio State Journal, the Repub-
lican organ here. yesterday printed
what seemed to be an inspired article
to the effect that Johnson would be
listened to for appearances sake, but
nothing that he might say could i'll
fiuence the Board to add anything to
the valuation of railroad property.
The matter came up today on de-
sire OF the Ohio State League of Mu-
inequalities to be heard and Johnson
appeared Iii his capacity as Mayor of
Cleveland, by reason OF which office
he Is interested in the burden of tax
alton being equally distributed In
stead of the real estate owners bear
ing practically all the burden and the
rich corporations all but escaping tax
alton entirely.
In the preliminaries Of the meeting
Mayor Johnson arose and said he had
been selected by the Municipal League
of Ohio as one of those to present the
matter.
AS he was sitting down State Treas
urer Cameron asked: "What might be
the gentleman's name, pleaseT
johnson smiled, and replied, Il am
Mr.. Johnson of Cleveland. What
might be your name pleaseW
Mayor Sam Jones arrived Mt the
meeting at II a. III. He seemed as
much Of a stranger In this assemblag'
of corporation people as Johnson. H'
was recognized only by johnson.
Colonel ISilbournc came in later
There was big array of high feet
railroad lawyers present.
Professor Bemis consumed the entire
morning session In report of the IN
vestiGation OF the railroad tax ques
tlon made at the request of Mayor
Johnson. lie showed that the rail
roads OF Ohio are appraised only at
II per cent. of their salable value
while real estate is appraised at 6t
; per cent. 1t would only be fair, there
fore, TO multiply the total railroad val
uation OF the state of $l17 100000, by
three.
II was shown that the rails alone are
worth more than the entire tax ap
praisement Of the roads, and the coup
, lers on the freight cars cost more thar
the entire car is returned for.
1t was shown by comparison tina
!, Ohio roads are appraised per mile o
main line only about one-third of wha
they are appraised for in both indiana
; and Michigan, while In those state
, the roads have much less proportion
! or SidlngS ana terminals,
A table presented by Mr.. Bemi
shows that the counties OF the stat
are losing 81 062, ,255 annually that the,
should receive from the railroads. AC
cording to these figures Lucas count
: is losing IN taxes each year S140,566 h.
, reason of an undervaluation of tn
o railroads.
a Among the spectators We're ColonC
i James Kilbourne and State Chalrma
Daugherty.
Now suppose this Board" sal
Mayor Johnson. In the course Of hi
II address, "refuses to equalize thes
s appralsements by assessing all tn
= roads at 60 per cent of their true valu
In money, what remedy have the pee
pie? None. II you do not do you
! duty there * no higher body to whlc
| the people can appeal. But that i