Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-09
TIMELY WARNINs

II may as well be understood right now,
as e will be understood hereafter, that the
great state issue In the coming campaign
In Nebraska will be corporation regulation
and taxation.
We do not mind giving republican lead
ers the benefit Of this timely warning.
They are not to be judged by the pretenses
or the platform they will adopt in June.
They are to be judged by the action Of the
republican State Board OF Equalization.
now in session in the city OF Lincoln. The
republican platform. so far as state issues
are concerned, Is being framed now by the
members Of the State Board OF Equaliza-
ton.
Upon that platform the republican party
must stand; by that platform the repub-
ltcan party will be Judged. The republican
party cannot fail to give the people relief
in the matter OF railroad taxation. through
the Board Of Equalization now in session,
and then by adopting a platform full OF
promises In June, expect to be restored to
power with the understanding that, in the
future. they will do better.-World- Herald.
The republicans of Nebraska will
gratefully appreciate this timely warn
ing and look to the men whom they
have honored with the most responsible
positions in the state house to discharge
their duty fearlessly and impartially re-
gardless Of pressure from the interested
corporations.
The declaration that the action of the
State Board Of Equalization In the as
sessment of railway property will fur
nish the keynote in the coming cam
paign should not be heedlessly ignored.
The paramount issue in Nebraska his
leans should not be placed on the de-
fensiHe by those in position to inaugu-
rate tax reform.
While the f~usionists will have moth
ing to boast of, the republicans are now
in power and will be held responsible
for any failure to give the people at
least a measure of relief by placing the
state in condition to maintain its insti-
buttons without a large annual deficit
The impression that the railroads are
not bearing their just share of the tax
burden in proportion TO their actual
value and earnings is not delusive. 1t
cannot be counteracted, pointing to the
fact that they have been favored with
extremely low valuations In some other
states. Public sentiment in all these
states has been aroused to the unjust
distribution of tax burdens.
In the state Of Minnesota, for exam
pie, where the railroad, telegraph and
telephone companies pay 8 per cent of
their gross receipts, a proposition will
be acted upon by the people at the next
general election to increase the rate to
4 per cent Of the gross receipts, and re-
publican state officers predict that the
proposition will carry.
In Iowa, where railway franchises
have not been considered In the assess
ment, the railway managers themselves
admit that the valuations put upon
Iowa railroads heretofore have been
much too low as compared with the tax
able value Of real estate and the de-
mand is for a substantial increase in
railroad assessments to conform with
the marked increase in the earnings and
market value of these properties.
There is certainly no valid reason why
the railroads of Nebraska should be APP
praised this year below their assess
ment Of 1890, when the mileage was
less and their equipment and physical
condition incomparably poorer,