The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1901-02-01

tax on the New England Telephone COM
pany because II Ia deprived OF tho right
OF local Taxation OF the property. This
propsrty located In Portland earns divi-
dsnua there and enjoys the protection Of
the local laws but pays no part OF the
burden az others do. The telegraph COM
panies do little better. The property of
the Western Union In Portland is esti-
mated to be worth from Slb,B eco to S25, Ocu.
II has no resi- estate, 90 there is no local
taxation. Last year the returns to the
city bassd upon the local holdings OF
stock was SQ3I for the Western Union;
ss5 for the Commercial and 80 for the
Maine; less than $40 in all (rhe Com.
merclal and Maine ars companies con-
troIled by the Western Union.l The
Western Union paid state tax OF $4,000.
Portland got from 1t a return OF $y.3l.
The electric roads are more profitable,
and larger proportion Of the tax comes
lack. In the case of the Portland road 1t
is little over s24O0. The Cape Elizabeth
road with state tax OF ss46, returns all.
The Yarmouth road returns nothing.
The Portland road In addition pays
municipal taxes on valuation of 500,
O00i The Yarmouth road pays ON val
uation OF $500.
These figures l suggest simply as show
ing the reason for the passage OF the or
der. There IL no intention on the part
OF this city council to attack corporations
as such, but 20 call attention TO burdens
from which they ask relief. The state 10
asking more Of Portland and other cities
anu towns than they ought TO give when
It deprivss them OF the right of taxation
in order to benefit other sections of the
state. IL Is believed that this has reached
a point when IL should be called to your
attention, that some remedy may be
given. IL is practicable to leave the
tangible property OF these companies sub
ject to local taxation ana then TO assess
franchise tar at a fair ratio.
In reply TO a question by Mr.. Bodweil
OF the committee, Mr.. SJout said that
the system proposed would naturally in
clude the steam roads, but he was not su-
thorized by the order to speak upon that
branch Of the subject, The present law
in reference to railway. taxation partially
provided for the municipal taxation OF
the local property of the roads.
MIR. Bodwefl suggested that 1t might
be advisable to present bill in tne
House en- bodylng the views set forth by
Mr.. Strout and let 1t reach the committee
by reference. In reply to question by
senator McFaddsn Ar. Strout said that
he thought that a system OF taxation
could be devised to apPortion the tax
equitably and at the same time avoid the
danger OF double taxation.
MIR, DEERING'S REPLY.
MIR. John Deeriug of Saoo, by permits.
sion OF the COMMITTEES, spoke in relation
to the bill taxing express companies.
When General Manager Julier OF the
American Express company appeared last
week, MIR. Deering was kept away by ILL
ness. have learned, said Mr.. Deering,
that very fire gentleman who came
down here from New York told you that
the American Express company could not
pay more taxes because 1t was now pay
ing "a per cent Of It's net income. Well
after reading that statement l looked in
to some other matters. know OF o1e
little farm where the owner last year
raised thirty tons OF hay, worth $3.50. The
expenses of raising the hay would be $500
leaving net earnings OF $50. He paid $50
in taxes or So psr cent OF his net earn :
ings. know Of another farm, u milk
farm, on which the owner has paid tax
equivalent to As IL per cent Of his net
earnings, But It is not question relat-
ing to the farmers alone. know OF q
business corporation in Biddeford which
last year paid $1,000 in dividends and
tax OF $500 or IS per cent Of its net earn
ings. Still, the American Express conf
pany says 1t is too Door to pay the small
advance asked of 1t / am surprised that
the company could bear the expense of
sending this gentlman to Maine. This
com any now owns the Boston and Maine
road and no other express company can
do business there. What did this great
company do when 1t was asked to Fay
war tAxesS DID 1t pay themf No; 1t left
them for you and me and others to pay.
MIR. Desring said that the movement for
equalization of taxation was not confined
10 the farmers. The people of the state
are asking 1t but 1t is not the purpose to
place undue burdens upon any interest.
Mir. Pattangall OF the committee, asked
MIR. Deering If he would favor tax
equivalent to 70 per cent of the net re-
ceipbs OF the railroads. MIR. Pattangall
said that such a levy would make the tax
OF the Maine Central about $780, 600 an
nually.
MIR. Deering said that the railroad hear
ing was past anu he did not know as 1t
would be proper for HIM to answer It,
He said he thought no interest should
I've unduly bnTdened.
MIR. Pattangall asked II MIR Deering did
not think all should be treated alike and
II 1t would be fair to tax the American
Express company "a per cent of its net
receipts II other interests were not so
highly taxed
mir. Deering said that the committee
had thought the express companies could