Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-10-12
HERRIoIT VS.. SHAW.


The Introduction of joint debate IN
effect If not in formal action between
Messrs. Shaw and Herriott upon the
question of railway assessments may
serve 20 enliven an otherwise quiet cam
raign even il it does present an anomaly
in party history to have leading party
men supporting the same ticket with
speeches presenting two opposing argu-
ments The republicans of Iowa. thru
sen and Martin and at Cedar Rapids
last August, have rendered a verdict
empha tically in favor of John Herriott,
plaintiff. The defendant Shaw may con-
tinue to argue, but his efforts will be
wasted. for there is no court OF higher
resort in this matter.
At Marengo last night Mr.. Herriott
talked of railway assessments at some
length He reiterated his previous state
ments that past assessments have not
been equitable, whether based upon
gross earnings. net earnings, physical
property value or stocks and bonds
value. III am unable to convince myself
that the Iowa Central. the Great West
ern and the b., c. r. & n. railways are
better able to pay higher rates of taxes
than the Milwaukee, c., B. & @. or Rock
Island systems. These unjust assess
ments are much more marked in the
case OF the smaller railroads. yet we
have for years enforced such inequali-
ties"
Then manifestly referring to Governor
shaw's argument he said There are
some who maintain that the existing as
sessmeiits are Just, and the best that
could be made. would like to concur
in this judgment, but when examine
the facts offered In proof they usually
consist in comparisons that do not COM
pare like with like. A branch or a spur
is compared with main line; or main.
line with system. A branch of one road
and apportionIng it's receipts and ex-
penses is set OF against the branch OF
another system following a different
plan. 1t is easy thus to shift and vary
figures in comparison to the utter con-
fusion Ct those unfamiliar with railroad
values
Mr.. Herriott has plan of his own, as
every one knows, and this he explained,
but in closing he made this fair and
promising statement: while I should
naturally prefer to see adopted plan
which seems to me best, am not a
stickler for a particular theory. And 1
assure ,ou, my fellow citizens that II
your votes elect me to the presidency of
the Iowa senate and any we'll ordered
proposal providing US with such sys-
tenn is urged. shall prove no obstruc-
lions to its enactment
His plsn is based on a Jumping togeth-
er OF the net earnings OF all the roads
and determining the aggregate assess
ment by capitalization of these net
earnings at current rates of interest and
then assessing each road at such per
cent of Its total gross and net earn
ings as would be necessary to produce
the predetermined aggregate assess
ment. Ese had u word of commentator
TO say for the stocks and bonds plan so
loudly urged by the independents" but
whatever plan is devised by the legisla-
ture the voters OF Iowa may depend
upon it hal. with John Herriott as lieu
tenant governor and president of the
senate tie public's side of the argument
will be heard in Legislative discussion.
Farther than this the Shaw Herriott
joint debate is embarrassing unless Gov.
ernor Shaw can find something neY to
say.