The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1902-07-24
gIashburn Officials Having Tilt
With one Of Them.
TAX SUPERVISOR AFTER THEM
The Ashland and siskkwit Railroad Take
advantage of the Looseness of the
State Laws to Dictate Their Own
Terms, which are Ridiculous.

y
the authorities good deal of trouble,
and a determined attempt will be
made to bring the tax dodger to
time. The Ashland Lumber Com
pany operating over fifty miles of
railroad within tie town of Wash
burn, has served notice upon the as
SCISSOR and the other town authori-
ties that they must not be assessed
For a sum to exceed $4,000. The
value Of the road which is operated
exclusively for logging purposes, is
perhaps 100000. Last year the
road was assessed as personal prop
erty, and placed on the roll tor $780,
GOO Then the officers of the com
pany came before the town board and
declared that they would have the
road assessed in Ashland hereafter
unless the rate was cut down to $780,,
000 The town officials took the
hint, and complied with the demand.
It is understood that the town off1c-
ials here have partially agreed to
again place the road on the roll this
year for $50, 900, but that the officers
of the company refuse absolutely to
listen to any such proposition
George F. Morgan, supervisor of
assessors for Bayfield, county. has
been at Madison this week, in con
sultation with the State Tax Com
mission, and if possible the road will
be made to pay the taxes which the
extent of their enterprise warrants
Year after year the road has practic-
ally dictated the amount it would
pay, stating that if they could not
get certain figures here that they
would list the road with their other
personal property in Ashland, where
they have other large interests.
Now the remaining timber of the
company is all cut in the town of
Washburn, and it is very question
able whether the road should be as
sessed in Washburn or Ashland.
The road can perhaps elect their own
pleasure upon this question. Other
property here is being assessed at
full value and the road should be put
on the roll at very close to 500, 600.
In return for the suggestion that the
local authorities put them on the roll
for that amount or any other amount
anywhere near where they belong,
the road comes back to the authori-
ties with the threat that they will
secure a charter from the state, and
that the tax will in the future be op-
Grated under the state laws, instead
OF as an institution simply classed as
personal property. A good many
logging railroads have already done
this. All railroads that are charter
ed must pay into the state treasury
at least So a mile under the gross
earnings system, and there are none
of them that 90 above the minimum
sum. Last year the Ashland Lum
Der Company's road, which is the
one in question, and operating under
the name of the Ashland & Siskiwit
Railroad, pale 1917 in taxes to the
town of Washburn. Under the rate
this year they would pay about ST.
OOO under the same basis of assess
ment as last year. In case they
we're assessed at their actual value
their taxes would amount to perhaps
50. 500. Should they charter they
would pay into che state next year
only $3.50. AS matters now stand
tie road is in position to practical
ly dictate terms to either Ashland
or Washburn, as their officers say
that it is optional with them which
place the road pays its taxes, and
they can perhaps make showing
that will carry out this view OF
course both towns are anxious to
have them on their rolls, bat the Of
ficials here declare that they will not
accept the dictation of the figures at
SO ridiculous a sum as SO, 900, and
have so informed the road. On the
other hand the officials seem power
less to bring the road to time, and
make them pay what they really
ought to pay under any equitable
system, as the state laws seem to
provide no remedy. If the local
officials do not give the road the
long end Of the assessment they can
become a chartered road, and in that
event would be paying less taxes
!. 49,, f1o cDaaIlnct fi0ura fhav 001l6