Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-07
TAX HEARING POSTPONED
Illness Of Auditor Weston 0aussl Adjourn
meut for One Day.
RAILROADS ONLY ONE IN EVIDENCE
national Guard P~reparing for In
spection by Omcer Detailed
from the Regular
Army.
ONLY ONE IN EVIDENCE
rrm a stan Correspondent

Trom a STAFF Correspondent
May ACKNOWLEDGING TO
the illness OF state Auditor Weston the
State Board Of Equalization did no business
today. At 10 O'Clock Governor Mickey ana
Treasurer Mortensen met 10 the office oil
the governor, but upon being Informed OF
the illness OF MT. Weston they adjourneu
until 2 o'clock. This afternoon the auditor
was still confined to his room and the gov
eruor and treasurer decided to hold no
meeting until tomorrow.
The representative OF the various rail-
roads were heard yesterday and 1t Is posi-
bic they have presented all the case they
intend to. No one has yet appeared to Of
fer evidence contradictory to the railroad
argument and so far as known no one has
signihed any intention Of appearing before
the board.
But whether the people appear or not
the board intends to study the railroad re-
turns carefully with a view Of doing JUS
tice to all and injustice TO none. At least
that seems to be the spirit according to the
statements Of the members. While the ar
guments offered by the railroads were good
from the railroad point of view. there has
been no indication that they we're convin-
cling. The board, so Governor Mickey said,
intended at all times to be ready TO hear
talks from any one concerned. to the end
that as much light as possible would be
thrown on this much mooted tax question
and that right might be done.
whether the taxes paid BY the rail-
roads last year include any sum for a
franchise; how to get at the value Of the
franchise: the value OF stocks and bonds.
will be some Of the propositions that will
be seriously considered by the board.
Treasurer Mortensen. while he intends TO
look into the matter thoroughly, Is GER
tainly in favor of increasing the assess
ment OF railroad property. At the session
yesterday Governor Mickey showed a par
ticularly inquiring mind and asked many
questions that would throw some light on
the franchise question. The governor
thoroughly realizes the responsibility rest
ing upon the board and has indicated that
he intends to do all IN his power to get all
the facts before the board.
Mr.. Crandon. representing the Northwest
ern. in his talk yesterday. said he favored
the taxing OF railroad franchises but he
believed that this had been done in the
assessment made by the board last year
Whether the board will take this same view
OF the matter is. Of course, unknown a,
this time.
The law says that a majority Of the board
can transact business, but inasmuch as Mr.
Weston has served upon one board and I,
familiar with the details OF the work to b,
done, the governor and the Treasurer pre-.
ferred to wait until he is able to attend.
Inspecting National Guard.
In a short time, probably ten days, tn,
members Of the National Guard will be in.
spected by an oficer detailed from the Wal
department. To the end that the soldier
boys will come up to the highest STANDARD
Adjutant General Culver Is preparing tC
do a little inspecting himself during the
next few days ana win call upon as many
companies as he can between now and the
time of the coming OF the department ON
GER. The guard is being recruited to IL
full membership and the troops are drilling
regularly.
The grand chapter Of the Order OF tn
Eastern Star is in session with plenty 0
participants. At the opening session all tn
officers were present except the grand con
ductress, grand electra and grand organist
The oficers are: Mrs. Minnie Critics, Chad
ron, grand matron; Mr.. James d. Haw
thorne. Kearney. grand patron; Mrs. Mar
e. Haggard. Nebraska City, associate gran
matron: Mr.. Peter Rubendall. Madison. as
sociate grand patron: Mrs. Lou Conklir
Hubbell. grand chaplain; Mrs. Emma Tai
bot. South Omaha, grand marshall: Mn
Emma Simpson, Omaha, grand secretary
MIS- carrie z. wright, Schuyler, gran
treasurer; Miss Lena Ellen Cooper. Hol
drege, grand Adah; Mrs. Jessie Aid, Nor
folk, grand Ruth; Mrs. Emma Tyler, Liz
coin. grand Esther: Mrs. Sarah Felt. su
perior. grand Martha; Mrs. Aplan, Rush
Vile. grand electra; Miss Belle Hurd. Hol
drege. grand warder; Mrs. Henriett
Liehty. Lincoln. grand organist; Dr.. ]
Riddle, Hastings, grand sentinel.
The grand secretary OF the wyomin
grand chapter, Mrs. Inez Robinson, WI
was also proxy for the grand matron. va
received and the grand honors were give
: An address OF welcome was delivered /
Mrs. Pattie NJ. Vaughan OF this city,
which response was made by Mrs. Mary
Haggard OF Nebraska City, associate graz
matron. Immediately thereafter all pa
grand officers and grand Representative,
we're presented and introduced and graz
honors were given.
Mrs. Louise Matthews Of Omaha, pa
grand matron. Was presented as mo-
worthy grand Esther Of the general chapt,
OF the United States OF America.
Following the formal and ceremonial DR.,
scented the addresses OF the grand matrS
and grand patron were heard.
The reports read show the order TO
In a most h%ourishing condition.
Tomorrow morning at the university
EFFORT Will be made to start the ball tn