The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1901-01-18
Others Not So Favor
able To It.
Grand Trunks Plans For I'm
prOyements in Portland.
ESPECIAL TO rnr ? .ss.1

ESPECIAL TO THE 1ss.1
Augusta, January l7.-One OF the most
important hearings of the Legislative ses-
sion was that begun before the committee
on taxation tonight. 1t was on the vari-
ous measures increasing the taxes paid
by the railroad companies. President
Tuttle of the Boston and Maine and
Maine Central desires TO be heard and
will be present on Tuesday next.
Clarence A. Hight. Esq, of Portland,
whose hr ief remarks this evening were
OF great interest, Will ON that day make a
more extended presentation Of the case OF
the Grand Trunk.
The hearing this evening was held In
the HOUSE chamber and was largely at
tended. Among the Interested parties
were Hon. George T. Wescott, Hon.
Henry b. Cleaves, Hon. George ID. Bis
bse, q. A. Hight, ESQ Leroy l.. Hight,
Esq, Mr.. George ). Hobbs, auditor OF
the Maine Central, Hon. William T..
Haines, and State Master Gardner and
Messrs. Merrill, Deering and Ko oerts Of
the Orange committee. There were three
bills before the committees on taxation,
ths Gar1insr bill which came from the
last Legislature by references; the Farms
worth or Grange bill, and the bill intro
duGed by Senator McFadden. The first
two increase thu rates under the present
system of taxing railroads on their gross
receipts Inc McFaddsn bill places a
tax on the capital stock OF this roads.
Hon. George ID. Bisbee OF Rumford
Falls was the first speaker. He said that
he came in two capacities, as tax payer
and citizen, desiring to sse state affairs
managed economically and at the same
time oredi5ably; and, SEQ ond, as attorney
OF the Portland and Rumford Falls rail-
road. As representing the road ne Came
In part to redaam the pro misses made by
the railroad men to the last Legislature in
reference TO taxation. Two years ago the
question was presented in relation to rail-
roads alone. We thought that was not a
proper diagnosis OF the case. We asked
that they would let the matter rest two
years until general plan OF taxation
could be devised. Since then, the people
interested, particularly the Changers,
have done a good deal OF impartial work
and they find that there are other intsr-
ests that need medicine. The electric
companies might take dose, and there
are the express companies, the telegraph
companies and other corporations. VS.
understand that the legislature Is satis-
fed that they must have $500, 900 or $780,
600 a year to pay the floating indebted
ness Of the state and to take care Of Its
increased expenses, not due to extrava-
gance but to changed ana improved con-
ditions.
Mir. Bisbee then 90 ntraated the former
poverty of the Rumford line with its
present prosperity; it's 6S miles of road;
It's addition OF 81, 900, 900 60 the valuation
OF Oxford county Now gentleman we
are willing TO pay our part of the in
creased taxation whsn you take into con-
sideration the other interests. But can
not cay, and l don't think my friend
Gardiner or my friend McFadaen, could
say how much the steam roads should
pay. When you have looked into these
things, l think you can draft a bill
which Will be satisfactory to yourselves
and the people. We used to hsar the cry
tax the railroads. but we don't hear it
now. We think people are disposed to
look at the matter fairly and treat all in
terests alike. Corporations have become
SO popular that even the newspapers in
corporate themselves and even become
trusts. And there are the farmers with
the creameries. Why, the creamery at
Turner has eaten up four other oreameries.
It's trust on small scale and good
one.
Mr.. Blsbes then discussed the MoFad-
den bill. 1 don't think my friend knew
just what oolorsd horse he had when he
drafted hat bill. That puts tax of four
psr cent ON the stock OF the railroads be-
cause 1t contains no exemption Of muni.
Opal taxation of the stock don't think
the gentleman realized that. Now, we
know the present system OF taxation, 1t
has been tested by the courts and so my
road asks that whatever bill you report,
yon follow the theory OF the Gardiner or
the Orange bill. SO far as l am able TO
learn, tho figures in both these bills ara