Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-09-06
JOHNSON
Made an Argu-
nent
To the Board of Rail-
road EquaIizers.
The Republican Officials
Were 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-
tion proportionate to the farm lands
and other real estate.
The Board Is composed exclusively
of Republican State ofiicals--Auditor
of State Gullbert, Treasurer Cameron,
Railroad Commissioned Morris, and
Attorney General Sheets.
The Ohio state Journal, the Repub-
llcan 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 in
iucnce 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 aud Johnson
appeared in 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 gcntleman's name, pleaseT
Johnson smiled, and replied, II am
Mr.. johnson of Cleveland. What
might be your name pleaseT'
Mayor Sam Jones arrived mt the
meeting at IL Il. IN. He seemed as
much OF stranger in this nssemblage
Of corporation people as johnson. He
was recognized only by Johnson.
Colonel kilbourne came in later
There was a big array of high feed
railroad lawyers present.
Professor Bemis consumed the entire
morning session In Il report of the IN
vestlgation of the railroad tax ques'
tion made at the request of Mayor
Johnson. He showed that the rail-
roads of Ohio are appraised only at
81 per cent. OF their salable value,
while real estate is appraised at &C
per cent II would only he fair, there.
fore, TO multiply the total railroad val
uation of the state of $l17,O00,O00 by
three.
1t 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 than
the entire car IL returned for.
1t was shown by comparison that
Ohio roads are appraised per mile OF
main line only about one-thlrd of what
they are appraised for in both Indians
and Michigan. while In those states
the roads have much less proportion
of sidings and terminals.
A table presented by Mr.. Bemii
shows that the counties of the stat,
are losing $i,o82, ,255 annually that they
should receive from the railroads Ac
cordng 10 these figures Lucas county
Is losing in taxes each year S140,566 b,
reason Of an undervaluation OF til,
. railroads.
l Among the spectators were Oolone
| James Kilbourne and state Chairman
Daugherty.
. Now suppose this Board" saiC
Mayor Johnson. In the course Of hi
I address, refuses to equalize thes
s appraisements by assessing all tn
I. roads at GO per cent of their true valu
In money. what remedy have the peo
pie? None If you do not do you
= duty there is no higher body to whlcI
the people can appeal. But that 4