Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-05-18
TAX LEAGUE MEMBERS
DISCUSS RAILROAD TAXES

In response to notice in yesterdays
Herald, quite a number of the leading
taxpayers met at the City hall last
evening. President Jackson and
Secretary Pickerill were on hand ear
ly. After the meeting was called to
order, the object was stated by the
chairman-dlscussion of the railroad
taxes for 1901 Treasurer Patterson
made a statement to the effect that
The commissioners had passed resolu.
tons authorizing him to receipt to
the railroad company in full for 1901
| taxes for Sl9,Sl0, the resolution ex-
cepting the state as to payment in
full. 1t was shown that the commits.
sioners have a right to pass resolu-
ton so far as the taxes affect the
county, but that they could not le-
gally rebate taxes due the city and
school districts, and that If an excep-
| ton as to payment was made in favor
| Of the state the same exceptions
| should be made in the case OF Duran
| go and the school districts. Mr. Pat
| terson stated that he had to be care
ful, as he was held on his bond, and
| for this reason had not complied with
iht ttSoiutiouS phsStu ny lne COiuIllS-
sioners. He also stated that the
company through its tax agent had
| offered settlement on a higher basis,
| 500. lis. Mr.. Patterson submitted
letter showing where the offer of set
tlement had been made on a basis OF
. per cent increase over 1900 taxes.
1t was stated by another speaker that
| the difference resulted from the fact
that the company meant a per cent
raise on its personal property, road
bed, etc, and did not include its Du-
range real estate. 1t was shown by
Mr.. Patterson that the company owed,
according to assessment. something
over $4,000, and there was no law to
compel MIN to accept any less sum.
but as that amount was out OF the
| question. he desired to obtain con-
census of opinion as to what he
| should do In the premises. He said
| that Of three county advisors, district
attorney. acting district attorney and
| county attorney, no two agreed
on what he should do, and that
| the commissioners had refused to al
low him to seek legal advice else
where.
| A general discussion followed by
those present, the general opinion be-
| Ing that the road was not paying Its
fair percentage of taxes. That while
| $4,000 was altogether out OF the
question. 8 per cent increase over
| 1900 was not enough nor in accord
ance with the increase placed upon
other property. which had averaged
SO per cent Also, that the company
was delinquent over year. and that
IL should pay interest and penalties
the same as private individual
| that II Durango merchant or corpor-
alton failed to pay on time, interest
and penalty was added. and that ac-
cording to terms offered by the COM
pany the railroads would pay less
than in 1900, as the interest and pen
atty would amount to 10 per cent
All present thought Treasurer Patter-
son at least should be protected in
receipting for taxes, and that he
should be furnished with legal advice
as to liability incurred by the resolu-
ton and the basis of settlement.
Commissioner Bradley was present.
He said the commissioners had refus-
ed to allow the treasurer to secure ad-
vice outside OF the three attorneys
above referred to. and did not think
the board would change Its ruling.
He also stated the commissioners
had not submitted any counter propO-
sition to the railroad company-that
no direct dealings had been had with
the company.
|
A resolution was finally passed call
ing on the commissioners to furnish
Treasurer Patterson with an opinion
from B. w. Ritter as to what should
be done in the premises, and as to
his liability In receipting for the rail.
road taxes according to the resolution
passed by the board at its recent ses'
sion. A general desire was expressed
! that a settlement should be secured
as about every county in the state had
settled on basis of from to 20 pei
cent raise over 1900.