Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-03

AuNlou OF tue state OF NtuTahhu says AuhN
the property Of all corporations shall be
taxed Just the same as that Of Individuals
not only corporation property, but their
franchises. Now in the city OF Omaha
there are today over 1000 lots exempted
from city taxes. We published two years
ago $50 lots that have never been assessed
or levied upon. Since that time the Burl-
ington railroad has built roads which will
certainly increase the number to over
1000. l believe that fully 10 per cent Of
the entire property OF this city yields no
tax for municipal purposes. II there is any
man that can stan1 here and defend such
tax-shirking I want to look at him.
Mr.. Poppleton: I want to say that as
s~ertions like these that are made week after
week and year after year are not true In
fact. The place we want to meet this
question is In the courts.
MI. Rosewater: The court has not had a
chance to pass on this question.
A warm cross-hre Of words took place
here, which the reporter was unable to
record.
As to the Courts.
Mr.. Poppleton: / rise to a question Of
order. SANDER of TIE courts is out OF
place before this committee. l hope that
Mr.. Rosewaters stenographer will take
what l say as we'll as what Mr.. Rosewater
says. / rise to a point OF order. This COM
mittee should not listen to abuse Of the
state and federal courts.
Mr.. Rosewater: l have made no reference
to the state courts. l simply speak OF a
test in the federal courts of some other
state, where the rights OF the people are
respected and protected. l am not practicing
before the courts of Nebraska and have no
favors to ask Of federal judges. / am not
afraid of this court OF Justice. l think
q day Of reckoning will come before long,
We are simply asking that the 1000 lots
located in the city Of Omaha owned by rail-
road companies shall pay their Just pro-
portion OF the city's taxes. The sewerage
Of the city drains Of these lots; the police
Of this city protect the corporate property
against raids; the fire department that we
maintain at public expenses protects their
buildings. The men who represent the rail-
roads enjoy all the privileges of our city,
they have the advantage OF our pubic
schools maintained at public expense. Why
not tax those lots for municipal purposes?
II is stated here that | am not telling the
truth about these untaxed lots. l have
published a description Of the lots as taken
from the county records. II these records
are incorrect l an not to blame.
Mr.. Poppleton: They are taxed for all
that, but you do not know the law.
Mr.. Rosewater: l think l know as much
about the revenue law as Mr.. Poppleton.
The law provides that the assessment of
all railroad property shall be made by
three state officers as a board Of equaliza-
ton.
Mr.. Poppleton: This is a mistake. This
law provides only for railways that pass
! through mora than one county.
Mr.. Rosewater: All right; that does not
make any difference.
Mr.. Poppleton: 1t makes all the differ
ence In the world. II you build a railroad
wholly within the limits Of a county It
is assessed by the ounty assessors.
Railroad In One County.
Mr.. Connell: Do you know of any rail-
road so built?
Mr.. Poppleton: The Belt line railroad.
Mr.. Rosewater: l will ask you another
question: Is the property of the railroads
Of this state assessed the same as other
property?
Mr.. Poppleton: II is assessed in accord
ance with the law OF the state.
Mr.. Rosewater: Is that law in accord
ance with the constitution?
Mr.. Poppleton: Why don't some OF your
agrarian friends help you to change the
lawf
Mr.. ConnelI: I would like to hear Mr..
Poppleton on this question, and give any
reason why this proposed change is not
just and right. l would like to have him
explain why the property of the Union
Pacific railway should be taxed on a differ
ent basis than property OF the Belt line
railroad is taxed. In other words, why
ought not all the corporations to be taxed
alike?
Mr.. Poppleton: l know perfectly we'll the
object of these gentlemen In coming here
with their stenographer. They are welcome
to all there is in II, but l think that when
they do SO they put themselves outside the
pale OF the right to ask questions and to
ask for any exposition OF this subject. l
said when this matter was up before that
I would not discuss this question except In
court. l am not going to waste my time
to make a public record for myself. / came
to assist in framing a charter that would
be adopted.
Mr.. Connell: II your railroad company is
already paying city taxes upon a full and
fair valuation Of all railroad property, why
do you object to this additional clause.
Mr.. Poppleton: Because It simply breaks
up another system OF assessment and the
very object is to prevent its having a fair
distribution. They want to cut 1t of and
tax II as a separate thing when It should
be distributed over the line.
Mr.. Connell: Does that railroad property
within the city limits pay taxes as other
property-on its valuation?
Mr.. Poppleton: Yes. sir.
Talks of n "Whim."
Mr.. Connell: Then why do you oppose
the amendment?
Mr.. Poppleton: ! do not propose to have
a law passed to meet your within. It would
open the door to unjust valuation. You
want to sock" 1t to US.
Mr.. Connell: ! have never used any such
term. l want you to pay just taxes.
Mr.. Poppleton: We are paying Just taxes
What do these gentlemen want? They dc
not want only that this property be as.
sessed. They want to levy a local tax upoI
this property.
: Mr.. RosewateT: Are we not all subjected
to local taxation?
E Mr.. Poppleton: No. sir: II that is you
idea you need a little education.
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