Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1903-01-19

ants for place.
The increase in the membership of the
Legislature means an increase in legis-
lative expenses. And 1t 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 expeditures is,
at the best, perpleXing one.
True. 1t 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
1t does not follow from this that the state
is out of debt. or even that its finances
are in the most healthy condition.
Railload 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-
GENTLY 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
hardship upon the taxpayer, tends to
prevent the natural growth and develop
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 its market value. AS
an instance Of the former l 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 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 1,558 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 1855 and a fraction miles, at $4,000
per mile; and the fifth class, consisting Of
eighty-one and a fraction miles, at 1920
per mile. The total length of main track
Is 1881 and fraction miles, and it is as
sessed at the insignificant sum OF $15,718,-
512-insignifcant, at least, in comparison
with its real value. OF side track there
is 5S6 and fraction miles, assessed at
81, 1872 .561. The average assessed value of
main track per mile Is $5.271.45. The av-
erage assessed value OF side track per
mile Is $2.112.0S. The aggregate assessed
value OF rolling stock and all railroad
personal property is $3.753.5S6. The ag-
gregate assessed value OF all railroad
property in the state. used for railroad
purposes. is $2O.6O4,659. BY those who
have inquired into the matter the state
ment that this property is worth at least
5000, 900, 600 is deemed conservative. But
am not advocating that it should be as
sessed at the full sum of $500, 000, 900, for
believe that throughout the state, quite
generally, property is assessed some thing
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 dspropor-
ton between the real and the assessed
valuation OF railroad property no one can
be found to contend.
No Good Reason For It.
Is there any good reason why you should
permit the continuance OF such state of
affairs? Property now escaping taxation
altogether, as we'll as that assessed at
figure ridiculously low. certainly receives
a benefit in the protection afforded 1t 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. They urge that all taxes paid by
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 matter of
no particular concern to the people. This
argument, if it can be digniied by that
name, would apply with equal force to
any and all kinds of merchandise. The
owner might say: do not assess my
property! If you do what l pay in taxes
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
state would be shOrn of it's revenues and
rendered pOwerlesS to afford protection
to person and property-the purpose for
which government is called into being,
and the only ground upon which it can
justify its existence. Ii property now
escaping taxation should be placed upon
the assessment roll, and all property
should be fairly assessed, the revenues of
the state would be ample, without any
increase in the rate OF taxation. Indeed
should this be done, we might, with the
exercise OF wise economy, reasonably
look in short time for a material reduc-
ton in the rate of taxation. This, besides
affording relief to the individual taxpayer,
would be an element in attracting hither
the homeseeker and the capitalist in
search of investments.
The Merger.
Sections IA, 16 and 90. Article XII of
our state constitution are as follows:
Section IA. No railroad company or
other common carrier shall combine or
make any contract with the owners of
any vessel that leaves port or makes port
in this state, or with any common carrier
by which combination or contract the
earnings of one doing the carrying are to
be shared by the other not doing the
carrying"
Section 16. No railroad corporation
shall consolidate its stock, property or
franchises with any other railroad cor
poration owning a competing line"
Section %. Monopoies and trusts
shall never be allowed in this state, and
no incorporated company, copartnership
or association of persons in the state
shall directly or indirectly combine or
make any contract with any other incor-
porated company. foreign or domestic,
through their stockholders, or the trus-
of ctr