Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-02

Equalization returns the 2,400 miles of the
B. & M. railroad that is within the state of
Nebraska at 1850 per mile, while the mar
ket value Of its capital and stock is over
$52, 900 a mile.
The value Of the Missouri Pacific is some
thing like $40, 900 a mile, but it is returned
by the State Board OF Equalization at $4,000
a mile.
Union Pacific Tax Returns.
In Omaha. Lincoln, Hastings, Fremont
and the other towns where these roads
have a larger property than out through
the state the state law permits these rail-
road companies to return on the general
theory of so much a mile for right-of-way
Let me give for general information the
tax returns made in Douglas county for
1901 by the Union Pacific railroad:
It Is hereby certified that the following
Is a true and correct statement of the
valuation and assessment of the property
OF the Union Pacific Railway company in
Douglas. county for the year 1901, as de-
termined by the State Board OF Equaliza-
ton 40 Of AN act to provide a system Of
revenue" approved March l, 1879, amended
Ss.ls miles of railroad and telegraph line,
including roadbed, right-of-way, main and
side tracks and tnrnouts depot grounds
pair shops, warehouses, rolling stock of
all kinds and descriptions and all other
ration necessary for the construction and
repair of its line OF road, assessed at the
rate of $500 per mile.
Think Of III! A return made by the Union
Pacific railroad-roadbed, right-ot-way,
sidetracks, depot grounds, rolling stock.
telegrsph-at SO much per iinesl mile. the
right-of-way being 100 feet wide. Yet in
Douglas county the Union Pacific owns the
bridge across the Missouri river, half OF
which is In Douglas county, the car shops,
the many acres Of terminal grounds in
Omaha and in South Omaha-all assessed
at SO much per mile, the sum total in
Douglas county being thirty-three miles.
the roadbed and depot grounds alone in
portions OF the city OF Omaha being worth
in money $1,000 per city lot, 66xl32 feet.
Think OF itl A total valuation Of the Union
Pacific railroad In Douglas county Of only
1928, 900, when the bridge, the roadbed, the
sidetracks, the real estate and the right-of-
way is worth at least $1,000 .000l Only
332s, 0OO--a less value than this railroad
claims its depot building in Omaha costi
other GIarinE Inequalities.
Let me enumerate some more glarinI
inequalities in valuation OF corporate prop
erty In Douglas county.
The b. & NJ. railroad returns a valuatio
Of only $1,000, yet the value OF Its prop
erty is worth many times that figure. tn
Missouri Pacific and the Belt Lin return
sixteen miles Of right-of-way at q valu
Of S1O7, 900, yet the Belt Line railroad
worth in the millions. The omaha Bridg
& Terminal company returns a value o
S17, 600, yet this property Is worth In cast
considerably over sI.OOO.0OO.
/ have not had time to look into tn
returns Of Dodge county for Fremont. Blu
1t is safe to say the return for taxation b
the railroad companies is not one-teAth o
the fair value. The total return OF tn
railroads in the city of Lincoln Is onf
500, 1856. Is 1t possible that this Is All IN
!. value Of the railroad and terminal prop
erty In the city OF Lincoln for all the rail-
roads? Would 1t not be more nearly
! valuation TO say S2.00o,OOO
The revenue law specifically states tina
} lthA State Board Of Assessment must tak