Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-15


be assessed higher. You could link the
main line OF the Union Pacific to the Column
bus and the Boone county line up to Albion
and then call It another name, and de-
crease It's appraisement proportionately.
This is simply a matter Of convenience in
the Burlington system. They should have
started their line from Ashland north and
called 1t another line. but they start with
the west side Of the viaduct on Tenth street
In Omaha, so as to avoid getting their depot
into 1t and then run II up and throw It In
there as a side line which is not Of the
same value within $4,000 per mile.
When the Burlington was transferred to
the Northern Pacific in the recent deal they
paid no attention to the imaginary boundary
line; they took the stock Of that company,
whether It represented the main line or the
side lines, and allowed two hundred cents
for every dollar Of stock In 4 per cent
bonds. and l don't see why at any rate that
portion OF the road from Omaha to Ash
land should not be appraised at the same
rate and the other at a lower rate, and then
a line drawn between the two at a different
rate. Of course, that would make IL some
thing less than the main line, but still at a
higher rate than a line that runs nowhere.
The line from Omaha to Oreapolis and the
line that runs to Ashland should be APP
praised at the standard rate Of the Bur-
lington main line.
Two Other Offenders.
Now we get to the two other lines that
to all intents and purposes should rank az
hrst-class railroads. The Chicago. ST. Paul.
Minneapolis & Omaha. road, which was as
sessed last year at IS, 200, should rank with
the Burlington main line. 1t does not seem
IN mo fhaN aA.-a - 49,.
between that road, running between i'm
portant traffic %centers, and the road from
Plattsmouth to Lincoln, or from Lincoln to
Hastings, or the Southwestern, or tho
Omaha & North Platte; the Southwestern
and the North Platte and Omaha and North
Platte are both assessed at $4,000 and the
other at 5000. Why such a discrepancy
should be made I cannot comprehend. Then
we come to another question. Why should
there nave been a reduction equal to about
80 per cent on the Elkhorn system between
1890 and 1900? That is very unreasonable.
ana ought not to have been perpetrated.
That road Is appraised at SO, 800 now, and
Twelve years ago IL was appraised at Sc. 900.
The Elkhorn road was certainly repre-
scented before the board Of 1890, all those
roads were, and II that board did not do
them an injustice then-and l do not be-
lieVe 1t. did do not believe they have
been unjustly treated at any time so far
as the appraisement Of their property is
concerned. They certainly have no reason
Tor asking that you should take of one
third OF their value at the present time.
when they are so prosperous and the road
Is improving constantly, increasing its
trafnc and increasing in its general market
value.
Not DEBATING Franchises.
Il am not discussing the franchises. but
simply discussing the physical properties.
Everybody that travels over that road
knows It is a better road today than II ever
was; that the population along It's line has
been increasing; that the arabic lands have
been increasing in their production and
mat they have carried a great many car
loads OF freight and a great many more pas
sengers than they did twelve years ago.
NOW DO not want to do any of the roads
an injustice, but simply suggest to the
board that these determinations seemed 10
nave been repeatedly made because thew
were made originally; various boards seem
to have continued these abuses, probably
because no one has appeared before them
to object; ! cannot comprehend any other
reason. l. feel sure, as 1 said before. that
the roads were fairly treated in 1890, and
II reductions were made during the d:outh
period and following that a change has
come; prosperity Is here and they ought TO
share the burden of taxation with the bal
ance OF the people OF the state, and they
ought to share It willingly, without ErudE.
ing because there has been no war made
upon their rates; they charge all the trafhc
Will bear and Jones pays the freight We
Will all pay back this tax. 1t seems to me
the state and county government must be
carried on and the people are bear
Ing about all the hardships they are
able to bear In this state, and the
railroads ought to now voluntarily as
sumo their due proportion Of the burdens.
l know that there has been a material
shrinkage in the appraisement or assess
ment Of other property following the crisis
OF 1893 and the drouth years Of 1894 and
1895. While the lands In this state have
materially increased in value within the
last six or seven years the town lots that
constituted a very large percentage OF the
valuations before 1893 have not correspond
ingly increased. In fact. they have shrunk
millions in Omaha and Lincoln. and a very
large proportion Of those outside town lots
never Will reach the boom prices again.
That accounts for the difference between
former appraisements and later.
Appeal for. Taxpayers.
I'm conclusion 1 desire to appeal 10 the
board on behalf Of the great macs Of the
taxpayers and trust that they will give
very serious and careful consideration to
the points l have raised here and take
the physical improvements and properties
OF each road iRto consideration and the |
betterments they have made and compare |
them with the former appraisements. That
Is tn saw andaaU0F IN aacaHfoIn 49,. - |
why there has been such a shrinkage, and
certainly there can be no good ground for
assuming that the railroad companies re-
turned more property for appraisement |
twelve years ago than they do now. They
have a very much better equipment. heavier
rails. Improved stations, their right OF way
has doubled and trebled in value ana I can |
not comprehend why they should not be |
appraised very materially above what they
have been when 70 were at high water
mark in 1900"