The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-12
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 10. 1908.
Railroad Assessments

Railroad Assessments
Several days ago it was stated thai
under the valuation OF the property OF
the chesapeake and Ohio Railway Com
pany. as ascertained by the Corporation
Com mission, the city OF Richmond would
receive $4,000 year in taxes instead OF
$1,000 as heretofore. and that IN con-
sequence OF the increase the Chesapeake
and Ohio was threatening to remove It's
headquarters to Clifton Forge,
The Newport News Times-Herald. IN
referring TO the statement. says that
..this is one Of the first fruits OF the
great and glorious Corporation Commits
sion, which was framed along the line OF
.lsgal.zing a hand that could go down Into
the cotfers OF the railroads. and. regard
less Of Its earning capacity. seize upon
its property and tax it even to the point
OF conhseation."
That is an unfair criticism Of the state
Corporation Commission. The duties OF
the commission with respect to the ta1-
alton Of railroad corporations are clearly
defined in section 176 OF the Constitution.
In which 1t is provided that It Shall an
aually ascertain and assess. at the time
Hereinafter mentioned, and in the man
ner required of the Board OF Pubic
Works, by the law in force on January
T. 1902 the value Of the roadbed. and
other real estate, rolling stock. and all
other personal property whatsoever Eek
cent It's franchise and the non-taxable
shares OF stock issued by other corpora
ticns) in this State, OF each railway cor
reratton, whatever its motive power. now
or hereafter liable for taxation upon
rueh property; the canal bed and other
real estate, the boats and all other per-
sonal property whatsoever Except its
franchise and the non-taxable shares OF
stock issued by other corporations in
this State, OF each canal corporation, en-
powered to conduct transportation: and
such property shall be taxed for State.
county, city town and district purposes
In the same manner as authorized by
Eaid law, at such rates OF taxation as may
he imposed by them. respectively from
time to time. upon the real estate and
peraonal property OF natural persons:
Provided, that no tax shall be laid upon
the net income OF such corporations"
1t is further provided In the tax ordi-
nance. approved April is. 1903. that any
railway or canal corporation aggrleved
Try the assessment and ascertainment OF
. such taxes. may, within thirty days at
ter receiving a. certified copy thereof,
apply for relief to the Circuit Court OF
the city OF Richmond. and may appeal
from that court to the Court OF Appeals.
The Corporation Commission has no
greater powers in this respect that the
Roard OF Public Works had under the
old Constitution. Indeed, 1t is prescribed
in that clause OF the Constitution above
quoted that the Corporation Commission
shall make assessments of railroad prop.
critics In the same manner as they were
nade by the Board of Public Works. II
such assessments are unreasonably high
tho railroad company aggrieved may ash
redress In court, In assessing the prop
erty OF the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
Company in the city OF Richmond, the
Corporation Commission has followed the
line marked out fol-, 1t In the Constitution
and In the acts of the General Assembly
1t may also interest our contemporar.
to know that the assessment OF the phys
ical property of this road In Newpor
News and In Richmond Is practically tn
Same as II was last year. Under TIL
new Constitution the railroads are re
CURED to pay franchise tax OF one pc
centun on their gross earnings. Thi
A.. AtvtA na;u
property, and amounts in the aggregat
TO $4,000 In View OF that large increas
the Corporation Commission has not ma
tsrlally changed the old assessment O
the physical property of the roads. an
We are Informed that no Virginia roa
has indicated any intention OF appeal.
The complaint OF the Chesapeake an
Ohio Company In the Richmond asses:
nent la not against the commission, whic
y has simply followed the law and assesse
the rolling stock Of the road at Its dom
Gle In Richmond. That was t..e old wa,
but In 1897 the Council and Board {
Aldermen gave the company relief l.
adopting resolution providing that II
commissioner of tho revenue should fc
all future years. until further instructe
assess the company arbitrarily and witt
cut reference 10 the figures of the sta,
Board OF Public Works. with the SUI
Of Sls.02s.s5 per annum.
Tbs City Attorney holds that this res,
luton Is In violation of the Constitute
and has BEEN never valid Therefore Il
Council has repealed the resolution ar
IT 10 presumed that the Board of Aide
raen viii do likewise. II so. the oompar
VII have 70 pay taxes at the Rlchmor
rsts ppen the full assessment OF Its pro-