The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-09-10

Columbus, Sept. 6.-Ther5 was
lively session of the state board or
equalization here Yesterday, when
Mayor Tom Johnson, Attorney Bakcr,
Professor Bemis and others came
here to try to get the state beard TO
/ axe the railroads pay thei" just share
CT taxation, thus relieving iii" farm.
err, the mechanics, the merchlp;s and
other smaller taxpayers of somy cf the
burdens. The state hoard was donli.
mated by Attorney General ShcHtS and
State Treasurer Cameron, the latter
acting directly for the Republican
committee. Little progress was made
for the reason that it was insisted on
tile part of the board that It hal net
tho authority to raise the taNat''n
fixed by the various county auditors,
tut that it was its business only u
oaualize the valuations.
During the progress Of the hearing.
however, it developed that every year
for some years the amount has been
increased, showing the power Of the
beard If it cares 70 exercise il
Several representatives, OF the Re-
rut ,ioau state committee were on
hand, including n man sent there by
General Charles Dick
While the rcsult Of the men:iIS IL
supposed TO be in doubt, by reason Of
the board having set future date for
hearing the railroads before reaching
q decision, not even Mayor Johnson
himself entertains the belief ttar the
hoard will do other than ignore every
Gcmand he made.
II had been agreed ny the board
10 hear Prof. 3emis AMI one other
Attorney Baker took a hand early in
the proceedings but said:
LANDED ON. CAMERON.
81 am not present as the representa-.
tive of the League of Ohio Municirali-
tcs." said Attorney Baker, rising, 'bIt
n citizen of Ohio. You have agreed
- hear Prof. Bemis and one other.
am not that one other but at the same
tine ask of this board that it give
me an opportunity to be briefly heard
on the law defining the powers o; this
board and tire present metho!3 of tax
ing railroad PROPERTY 20 member of
the hoard made any answer to Mr..
Baker and Mayor Johnson then stated
tngt he had been selected as the one
o.her" by the chairman of the com.
iifttee appointed by the league.
SJhat is the gentleman name"
asked State Treasurer Cameron turn.
Ing toward the mayor with an cXpres-
sion intended to be aarcastic.
My name is Mr.. Johnson returned
the mayor promptly. WHIT is Your
name?'
cameron" answered the state
treasurer, flushing.
Indeed" retoTted the mayor with
his suave smile, II am glad to meet
you."
BEMIS TALKS.
Prof. Bemis first adGrc6Gcd the boar
ana said;
As it was apparent tat 40 defGitG
understanding could be got Cut of ,he
board, Prof. Bemis began iiis state.
ncnt.
"The boards of county auditors, he
said, "haye added to the valuation of
railroad property in Ohio, total of
about S8,OOO,000 according n the re-.
potts which they have submitted to
ttis board this year. OF course this
addition was made on the 3titemcnts
made by the roads 10 the auditors oi
the betterments made during the past
year, but these same roads ih their
statements to stockholders confess to
having made improvements for
amounts far in excess of this $4,000,
900. take it therefore that this board
will feel justified In adding to the re
turns at least the difference between
the valuation fixed by the auditors and
the valuation as stated by the roads
themselves to their stockholders"
II beg your pardon interrupted At
torney General Sheets. "We don't as
sess anything. We are here only t.
equalize the assessments made by th'
boards of county auditors.
"Is there any doubt about the au
thority of this board IN the minds c
it's members?" inquired Mayor john
son.
I'VE are here to hear from you gen
tlemen," replied Sheets.
1T seems to me that poiat ought t,
be settled right here" persisted tn
mayor.
"Well," began Sheets. his voice ris
ing. and then he caught himself an
stopped.
After = few moments silence Pro-
.u !. =; Z. Z.