The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-12
THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY TAXED
AT ONE-THIRD ITS VALUE.

and representative of the Southern Rail-
way, went to Georgia, and before the
Railroad Commission protested against
the increase in the assessment for taxa
tion of the property of the Southern Rail-
way in that State made by the Commits
sion. Condensing the hearing before the
Commission, this paper few days ago
printed the following:
'Mr. II. W. Miller, of Raleigh, assist
ant to the first vice-president of the
Southern Railway has been in Atlanta
this week trying to induce the Railroad
Commission to reduce the assessment,
which has been increased $3,SS6,000. He
made the argument that other property
had not been increased and that the
Southern Railway had been Disseminated
against. On the Atlanta and Charlotte
Air Line, Mr.. Miller said, the assess
ment was $4,000 mile, whereas South
Carolina assessed that line at only &c.,
900 a mile. In referring to the South
Carolina returns Mr.. Miller said:
1--WE once made the mistake of suppos-
ing Senator Tillman didn't have as much
sense as he has, and it cost us $4,000 to
get the matter Strengthened out in the
courts
Comptroller General Wright replied to
Mr. Miller. AS reported by the Atlanta
Constitution:
captain Wright said he found that the
valuation of the Southern's lines in Ten
nessee was PA per mile; in Alabama,
$12, 737 per mile; in North Carolina, $10,-
5S4; in South Carolina, $13,121, while in
Georgia it is $S,637.
'In making his assessment he said he
did it so as to bring the total valuation
of the Southern in this State up to about
$12, 900 per mile, which is less than in any
State except North Carolina"
Presenting upon the accuracy of the
figures given by Mr.. Miller and Mr..
Wright, which the Post says are incor-
rect (they were quoted from
Mr.. Miller and Mr.. WrighD, this paper
made comment to the effect
that if the Southern and other rich rail-
roads in North Carolina had been
taxed in the past according to their
true Nalue III money, There "ouiu NC
no deficits in the treasury or lack of
room in our asylums." Taking that ut
terance as a text, the Morning Post
(printed by Southern Railway officials
for that purpose) devoted two columns
to abuse of the News and Observer and
Misrepresentation of its position We
gather from it that Mr.. Miller was not
successful in his mission to Georgia, and
the Railroad Commission will stick to
its So, $50, 900 increase. 1t is a seven days
wonder to the Post that anybody can re-
sist the eloquence of Mr.. Miller, its pro
tenn Boss.
The Post says the News and Observer
has slandered the Corporation Commits
sion. 1t was that paper which basely
slandered Mcneil, Rogers and Bedding
field when they increased the assess
ments 1t was the Post that applauded
Simonton when he set aside the assess
ment. After keeping the State cut of
just taxes for months, it was Simonton's
presence on the bench that forced COM
promise by the State that postponed for
three years the just taxation Of their
property. But for Simonton and his in
functions, the State would never have
submitted to the compromise. In the
the State secured a recogni-
ton for the first time of the principle
that railroads should pay privilege or
franchise tax in addition to their other
taxes. The tax imposed in 1901
is small, but the principle is there and
unless the railroads control the General
Assembly, tax will be imposed in keep
ing with the true cash value and earn
ings of the roads. 1t is to make senti-
ment against this that the railroads con-
tinue to print the Post and give it away
to anybody who will take it out of the
postoffice.
In view of the Posts excitement oc-
casioned by Mr.. Miller's failure to de-
crease the Southern Railway assessment,
it will be interesting to see whether the
Southern Railway is fairly assessed Tor
taxation in North Carolina. The example
of other States is valuable only for COM
parison. The true method of taxation Tor
North Carolina to pursue is ascertain the
earnings and "true value in money"
The Southern Railway has 1888 miles
in this State. Upon this it has capt.
tai of $35, $40 per mile and a debt of $685.,
396 per mile-a total of $50, 945 per mile.
1t is assessed for taxation at $12,275 per
mile, the total assessment being $15,-
S25,67 For the year ending June S0th.,
1901, the Southern Railways income
from it's North Carolina roads equalled
six per cent on valuation of $44,516, 400,