The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-01
Chamber Of Commerce Fayors
Reduction Of Assessed
Valuations in City
REMOVAL OF DEBT LIMIT
Members Think Further Issue of
Bonds Might Relieve Situation
congregational Delegation Urged
to Go After Naval Station.

Problems of city taxation in ST. Paul
were discussed by the Chamber of Com
merce at its last meeting yesterday, pre-
Vious to adjournment for the summer.
Thomas Cochran presented lengthy re-
port from the committee on municipal
affairs which has considered at length
the question of municipal taxation refer
red to it, together with the question as
to whether a change was practicable in
the present assessment.
The report of the committee was to
the effect that it was not practicable
at this late date to attempt to change the
present assessment, as it was likely to
be returned by the county assessor for
this year.
Valuations Too High.
It was agreed that the assessed valua-
tons were now too high; that none of
the property could stand an increased
valuation, and that for this reason it
was necessary to find new property for
assessment which has heretofore escaped
taxation. Mr.. Cochran read from re-
ports made to the charter commission al
legng that public service corporations
were practically exempt from municipal
taxation. Assessor Conley reported that
there was a very material reduction in
the assessment of outside property and
but few Increased valuations on business
property.
Mr.. Cochran favored reducing valua-
tons and raising rates as it would show
the people the exact conditions existing,
as high valuation and a low rate was
very deceptive to the public.
Assessments Must Tumble.
Maj. Espy declared that assessed val
uations were altogether too high, and
should be reduced as low as could posi-
bly, be done under the law. This, of
course, would necessitate increasing the
municipal rate of levy. Still the city
would save money, as the lower valua-
tons would prevent it from bearing too
large share of the state tax.
c. B. Bentley spoke in favor of the tax
alton of public franchises, and Capt
Berkey was strongly in favor of more
bend issues. The committee, in its re-
port discussed the ACCESSIBILITY of oppos-
ing the removal of the debt limit by an
amendment to the city charter, ny a pc
utlon to the charter commission Inc
committee had been informed that the
commission has no authority to submit
such an amendment; the legislature can.
however, remove the debt limit without
amending the charter. The committee
beheVed that two years hence would be
the proper time to take up the question
OF reassessment, as was done in 1885, and
III the meantime favors a campaign of
SOQNdlLOu among the people.
Naval Trimming Station in State.
The following resolution, introduced by
Maj. Espy, was adopted
Whereas, By recent act of congress.
%mch proVides-fer the appointment of a
board OF naval officers to make an eX-
animation of several proposed sites for
the establishment of a naval training
station, and to make report as to the
availability Of the several sites, the cost
of the establishments of such a ctatior
and its practicability
therefore, Be 1t Resolved, That we do
hereby respectfully request our repre-
sentatlVes In congress to recommend to
SAID board site to be located on Lake
Superior, within the boundaries of orr
Oen state - 00-
Resolved, The secretary is he eby direct.
ca ID forward a copy of these resolutions
10 each member of the Minnesota dele
gauon in congress, and also to the Duluth
chamber of Commerce, with assurances
OF our earnest cooperation with then
III the selection of a suitable site within
inc boundaries of our own state
President Doran appointed o. L. Tav
Tor and Otto Taubert to represent tn,
chamber at the fifth annual convention O
the International mining congress to b,
heid at Butte, Sept to s. These dele
gates will select three others to accom-
pany them. This IS an important con
Vention, the object of the congress bein.
10 increase reciprocal trade relations be
tween the states and to develop the min
ing interests of the country.
Louis Betz, George C. Power and Rem
vile Chinook were elected to member
ship.
The chamber then adjourned until Sent
J. but the executive committee will NEE
each second and fourth Thursday at S:S
O'Clock throughout the summer