Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-09-07
JOHNSON
Made an Argu-
ment
To the Board of Rail-
road Equalizers.
The Republican Officials
We're Indifferent.
Some Cheap Sarcasm Drew the
Mayors Fire.

Columbus, Sept. 5.-Tom L. Johnson
appeared befoie 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 a valua-
tion proportionate to the farm lands
and other real estate.
The Board Is composed exclusively
of Republican State oticlals-Auditor
of State Guilbert, Treasurer Cameron
Railroad Commissioner Morris, and
Attorney General Sheets.
The Ohio State Journal the Repub-
lican 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
fiuence 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 and Johnson
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 gentleman's name, pleaseT
Johnson smiled, and replied, ~ am
Mr.. Johnson Of Cleveland. What
might be your name pleaseY'
Mayor Sam Jones arrived Mt the
meeting at IL a. NJ. He seemed as
much of stranger In this assemblage
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 report of the IN
vestigation 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 GO
per cent. II would only be fair, there,
fore, to multiply the total railroad val
uation of the state of $l17 100000, 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 Is returned for.
IL was shown by comparison that
Ohio roads are appraised per mile OF
main line only about one-third OF what
they are appraised for in both Indiana
and Michigan, while In those states
the roads have a much less proportion
of sldings and terminals.
A table presented by Mr.. Bemis
shows that the counties OF the state
are losing S4,06225 annually that they
should receive from the railroads. Ac
cordlng to these figures Lucas county
is losing IN taxes each year $14O, $3.50 by
reason OF an undervaluation OF the
railroads
Among the spectators We're Colone
James Kilbourne and State Chairman
Daugherty.
Now suppose this Board" said
Mayor Johnson. IN the course of his
address, ''refuses TO equallze these
appraisements by assessing all the
roads at 60 per cent of their true value
In money, what remedy have the peo
pie? None. II you do not do your
duty there Is no higher body to which
| the people can appeal. But that is