Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-06
AGAINST A RAISE
Railroads Present TheiT Views 10 State
Board on Assessment
INSURANCE FEES ARE PAID PROMPTLY
Governor Savage Decides TO Go 20
L~aunchIng of B%attIeship Nebraska
Strike Of state House jan
itors Has Not Spread.

From a Stan Correspondent
LINCOLN, May 5.-(Special)-The pre-
liminary work Of fixing the valuation OF
railroad, telegraph and telephone property
for purposes Of taxation was begun this
afternoon by the State Board Of Equaliza-
ton. All three members OF the board,
Governor Savage, Treasurer stuefer and
Auditor Weston, attended, but did nothing
more than listen to arguments by repre-
sentatives OF various corporations. At the
conclusion Of the session an adjournment
was taken until tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock.
The persons who appeared before the
board represented the Burlington, Union
Pacific, Missouri Pacific, the Chicago, st.
Paul. Minneapolis & Omaha railroads and
the Pullman company. All argued against
an increase Of last years valuation and
presented figures purporting to show that
the assessment OF their property is at a
higher rate, in proportion to real value,
than the assessment Of other kinds OF
property.
I'VE have not discussed the railroad
assessment matter in any of1cial way"
said Auditor Weston this Afternoon. This
was the FIRST meeting held and the busi-
ness consisted OF listening to the repre-
sentatives Of the railroad companies and
the Pullman company. Some Of us asked
questions as they proceeded, but took no
action whatever on any proposition, and
when the men finished their talking we
adjourned"
The governor held several bulky docu-
ments in his hands throughout the argu-
ments and referred to them repeatedly.
often basing his questions on figures con-
tained therein. He did not read them.
however, but is expected to do so at some
future meeting Of the board.
The arguments were made to the board
In executive session. In response to an
inquiry this afternoon Auditor Weston said
that future meetings also would probably
be held behind closed doors.
willing 10 Arbitrate.
There have been no developments OF mo-
ment since Saturday in the labor trouble
at the state house. Janitor McElliott, who
turned his keys over to Secretary Of State
Marsh and resigned from the states en-
ploy because Of alleged mistreatment, lie
still IT. the city and is said to be willing
to submit to arbitration. Another men,
Der Of the force is complaining because
he has more than his share OF duties to
perform and threatens to join the strike
IL not relieved. still another %janitor, who
has been considered the favorite OF one
Of the state officers. is complaining be-
cause he has been assigned to exterminate
twice as many dandelions as any other
j~anitor.
Insurance Men Pay Early.
Deputy Insurance Auditor Babcock says
that S34,S22.s7 has been paid to the state
as fees by insurance companies since jan
uary 1. The collections for the four months
greatly exceed the amount collected last
year for a period OF six months, beginning
with January 1, the total being SIS, 1885,
The collections for the year, however, VIII
probably not greatly exceed those OF last
year because very few fees remain to be
paid.
with the mystery Of his death still I'M
solved the body OF Bruno Hermann, late
editor Of the Freie Presse. was buried yes
terday in Wyuka cemetery. Services were
conducted in Walton's undertaking rooms
by NJ. A. Newmark, according to the rites
of the Reformed Jewish church. No rela'
tives Of the dead man attended the funeral
Mrs. Hermann. his wife, has not yet beer
located, nor has any word been received
from her. Mr.. Hermann was found dead
in his room, S3s South Thirteenth street q
week ago. An empty vial found in the room
told the SLOry lnhI inc uSath "~ N
by an overdose OF sulphonal. but whether
by accident or otherwise could not be de-
termined.
The last report Of Water COMMISSIONS
Tyler shows that there was a deficiency
for the department in April OF S249. The
total income for the month was S2,192.19
of which 1887 was collected from watei
consumers and the balance from the treas
urer's once as the amount derived from
taxation.
Union Labor Protests.
Governor Savage has accepted the invi
tation TO attend the ceremonies incident q
the laying Of the keel OF the battleshil
Nebraska at Seattle on July 4. A unioi
labor organization which had some troubl
with the contractor who Is building tn
ship requested the governor not TO atten'
the celebration. Governor Savage explain
the acceptance Of the invitation by sayinI
that he is unwilling to Join a labor boycott
The governor will likely be accompanie
by his military stan.
The Lincoln typographical union ha
nominated four candidates for the once o
delegate to the international Typograph
ical union convention. which will be he'll
in Cincinnati in August. They are d. X
Kirkland. o. C. Forbes. Bert Pentzer an
w. H. Toy.
p. Coursey Richards. the aged mar WIN
was recently convicted ana sentenced I
twelve years Imprisonment for assaultin
his l2-year-old step-daughter, was taken Z
the penitentiary. Strenuous efforts wer