The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-23
Mr.. MASON WAS ELOQUENT
PLEADED FOR GREENFIELD LINE
BEFORE STATE TAX BOARD.
Company More Liable for Damages by
Using Public Highways-BOard's
Watermelon Feast.

A. L. Mason, attorney for the Indianapo-
lis & Greenfield Rapid Transit Company
made an eloquent appeal to the State
Board of Tax Commissioners yesterday
afternoon in behalf of the company, and
endeavored to convince the board that the
assessment should not be increased. The
assessment was raised from $13S, 26O to $685.
OSO. from 5000 to $1,000 per mile. Mr..
Mason claimed the property of the In
dianpolis & Greenfield Company was no
better than that of the indianapolis &
Greenwood Company, which is only as
sessed at 5000 mile. He said the former
company does not own it's right-of-way,
and by using the public highways it is
more liable to damages. He insisted that
the assessment should not be increased:
Clarence V. Kessinger told the board a lit
tie of the history of the Vincennes Street
railway Company as a part of his plea for
pany was assessed at $4,000, an increase of
S10,25 He said the road was about to go
into the hapds of a receiver and is now
bonded for $4,000. A. l.. Mason, attorney
for the bondholders offered the information
that the bonds are only worth about 90
cents on the dollar. He also said there are
judgments against the road amounting to
ST.. eco
Jesse V Barton, attorney for the Chi
cago & Calumet Terminal Company, made
suggestion to the board I'D that the he assess
said the part of the road In Indiana failed
to money last year and showed
deficit in the operating expenses. 4. I.
Graham, owner OF the Washington Street
railway Company, asked that it's assess
ment of $50 600 be reduced. He owns three
miles Of road and claims 1t is not worth
nearly as much the assessment placed
against it. Ferd Stricken requested that
the Franklin Telephone Company's assess
ment of $4,000 be reduced to $4,000.
Theodore Toll represented the Indiana
Pipe Line Company, branch of the Stand
ard Oil Company. and tried 10 convince the
board that oil companies are entitled to the
same consideration that natural gas COM
panies receive. He argued that the supply
of oil in Indiana is decreasing year by
year.
Frank NJ. Trissel represented the South
ern Indiana Railway Company and the
Bedford Belt Railroad Company, both
owned by John r. Walsh, of Chicago The
assessment on the Belt road was doubled
&. 600 per mile. Mr.. Trissell was willing
that the increase on the Belt road should
stand. but he believed the valuation placed
on the main line too high.
Mr.. Norton, general manager of the
Glover Leaf Railroad, objected to an in
crease of $1,000 per mile. He said the
present rise of the stock of the road was
due to reports that the Vanderbilts wanted
the road. but the officers of the company
he said, had no knowledge Of any pending
deal.
The afternoon session was adjourned at 4
o'clock by the announcement that Judge
Buskirk's annual watermelon feast was
ready in the basement of the State house
Frank Martin. deputy auditor, did the Paul
Revere act. and summoned all State Off
cias. deputies. clerks and newspaper men
TO the basement, where Governor Durbin
Auditor Hart Attorney General Taylor
members of the tax board and other Off
l Gals were participants in a race. Mr. Tay-
1 Tor never moved from the side of the long
| table until every piece of melon in his reach
had been robbed of its heart. Mr.. Hart was
| a close second In doing justice 10 the mel
ons and the other officials never faltered
until the last melon had gone the rounds
@-.-
Whatever YOU do, don't forget Mrs Austin