The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-08-01
COUNTY OFFICERS APPEAR BE-
FORE STATE BOARD.
ARGUED FOR AN INCREASE
Outlines of Plan That May Be Adopt
ed II. Appeal Is Not
Needed.
From Thursdays Daily 6azette.

From Thursdays Daily Gazette.
The delegation of Yellowstone
county officials, which went to Hell
ena with those from other counties
to appear before the state board of
equalization and argue for an increase
in the railway assessment, returned
this morning. Whether anything in
that direction was accomplished re-
mains to be seen when the board an
nounces it's decision in the matter.
The county commissioners and as
SCISSORS have had their inning before
the board and now come the railroad
companies with their array of legal
talent to Offset the effect created, if
any by the county representatives.
Speaking of the meeting, Chairman
Parker, of the Yellowstone county
board, said that it was not as largely
attended as it should have been. Some
counties, for reasons best known to
their commissioners had no repre-
s%entation present. Others sent a rep
resentative delegation. The meeting
as a whole, Mr.. Parker says was fair
ly we'll attended and much interest
taken in the question by those in at
tendance. The delegations appearing
before the board made it rather plain
to that body that they were voicing
the sentiments of the great body of
taxpayers throughout the state, and
all they asked was something ap-
preaching a just assessment of the
railway property in the state.
While the state board may not OBJ
serve the approaching storm clouds
at this time, the county representa-
tives who gathered at Helena feel
sure that other means will be adopt
ed in another year unless the board
heeds the warning when it proceeds
to make the railroad tax levy for this
year.
If the effort of the county represent
atives fails to accomplish anything,
then in all probability nearly every
county in the state next year will re-
duce the property valuation by one-
half ard make up the county revenues
by a higher tax levy. The results to
the counties so far as revenue is m
cerned would be the same as under the
present higher valuations, but would
play havoc with the states apportion-
ment of taxes from county assess
ments.
To better illustrate the plan dis
cussed at Helena should the state
board of equalization fail to make a
fair assessment of railroad property,
it is only necessary to take the as
sessment Of this county for this year,
which without a raise in the valuation
of railway property amounts to $6,'
500, 900. On this total the law pro-
vides that there shall be levied 2k
mills for the use bf the state. ITO
give the state officials some of their
W medicine" as one man express
ed it at Helena, the counties could
reduce the valuation by half. Vel
1owstone county's valuation would
then be reduced to $%3,250,0OO and the
state would still receive only a IN
mills levy on the total.
Many of the counties Throughout
the state, through their legal repre-
sentatives, will not hesitate for a mo
ment to adopt this latter plan unless
something is done in the matter Of
a more equitable railway assessment
The plan, if adopted, will reduce the
revenues, which go into the state
treasury by means of taxation. man,
thousands of dollars.
Mr.. Parker gave it as his opinio)
that the board will make an increase
in the valuation of the property OF thu
roads, but to what extent he was no
prepared to state. He said that tn
railroads would be heard today an
after the presentations by their at
torneys' the other side would close
arrangements having been made T.
that effect.