The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-01-22
Governors Message Is
Read In Joint Session

Viewed from this standpoint, you will
probably feel yourselves compelled to
deny them some things that, under differ
ent circumstances, you would willingly
grant.
In passing. permit me the suggestion
that our educational institutions should
be kept entirely free from politics, or
political influence of any kind. Appro
priations for their support should not be
made to hinge upon other legislation. In
this matter but two considerations should
govern-their actual needs, and the abil-
ity of the state to meet those needs.
have not caused the removal of any mem
Der of the board of regents, or board of
trustees, of these institutions, nor have
appointed any such member, for political
reasons; nor shall do So And, whatever
contests may face us during this session,
l indulge the hope that no one of our edu
cational institutions may be made the
football of contending forces, or of aspir
ants for place.
The increase in the membership of the
Legislature means an increase in legis
lative expenses. And it is probably true
that the growing volume of business in
other departments may call for heavier
appropriations. l mention these things
simply for the purpose of showing the
necessity for strict economy, for, with
the exercise of the wisest economy, the
problem of making our revenues keep
pace with our increasing Expenditures is,
at the best, perplexing one.
True, it is generally supposed that the
state is upon a cash basis; and to the
extent that warrants now drawn upon the
general fund are paid in cash upon pres
entation, that supposition is correct. But
it does not follow from this that the state
is out of debt, or even that it's finances
to
Railroad Taxation Too Low.
The rate of taxation should not be in
creased except as a last resort, for the
burden now borne by our people is suffi-
ciently heavy. In some parts of the state
the rate of taxation, including the levy
for state, school, county, road and city or
town purposes, is at least 40 mills on the
dollar. Such a rate, in addition to being
a hardship upon the taxpayer, tends to
prevent the natural growth and develop
ment of any locality. Intending investors
inquire closely into the matter of taxa
ton, and, where the rate is found to be
abnormally high, they naturally turn to
other sections, where the burden in this
respect is lighter.
There is in this state property that
escapes taxation altogether, and other
property that is assessed at but a small
fractional part of it's market value. AS
an instance of the former / would call
attention to sleeping car companies doing
business in this state; OF the latter. to
our railroads.
From the reports of the state board of
equalization l find that the main track of
the railroads in this state is divided into
five classes. The first class, consisting of
965 miles and a fraction, is equalized at
$4,000 per mile. This it is believed, is
not more than one-tenth of it's actual
market value. The second class, consist
ing of 1858 and fraction miles, is equal
lied at $3.50 per mile; the third class,
consisting of 220 and fraction miles, at
$3.16S per mile. the fourth class, consist
ing of 156 and fraction miles, at 1000
per mile; and the fifth class, consisting Of
eighty and fraction miles, at $500
per mile. The total length of main track
is 1881 and fraction miles, and it is as
sessed at the insignificant sum of $15,71S,-
512-insignihcant, at least, in comparison
with it's real value. OF side track there
is $50 and a fraction miles assessed at
81, 1872, SOL. The average assessed value of
main track per mile is $5,271.45. The av-
erage assessed value of side track per
mile is $2,112.03. The aggregate assessed
value of rolling stock and all railroad
personal property is $3,753,5 S6. The ag-
gregate assessed value of all railroad
property in the state, used for railroad
purposes, Is $20,604,659. BY those who
have inquired into the matter the state
ment that this property is worth at least
5000 900, 900 is deemed conservative. But
am not advocating that it should be as
sessed at the full sum of 5000, 100000, for
believe that throughout the state, quite
generally, property is assessed something
below it's real value. But that the dis
proportion between the real and the as
sessed value of other property is any
where nearly SO great as the dispropor-
ton between the real and the assessed
valuation of railroad property no one can
be found to contend.
No Good Reason For 1t.
Is there any good reason why you should
permit the continuance of such a state of
affairs? Property now escaping taxation
altogether, as well as that assessed at
figure ridiculously low, certainly receives
a benefit in the protection afforded it by
our laws. The cost to the state of afford
ing protection to railroad property, dollar
for dollar in value, is probably greater
than the cost of affording similar protec-
ton to any other class of property in the
state. Why, then, should these great COR
porations be permitted to shift their fair
share of the public burden to the Shout
ders of others? The present system of
assessing railroad property at a figure
merely nominal is not without its advo-
Gates. Iney urge tnat all taxes PAID Dy
the railroad companies must be collected
from the people in the shape of passenger
and freight rates; and that. therefore, the
valuation placed upon railroad property
for purposes of taxation is a matter of
no particular concern to the people. This
argument. II it can be dignified by that
name, would apply with equal force to
any and all kinds of merchandise. The
owner might say: "Do not assess my
fvt IN wb in
will be added to the selling price, and it
will not be l, but the purchaser, who will
have to pay the taxes" BY this line of
reasoning carried to its logical end the