Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-03-09

On the other hand the railways insist
that they paid S223,OO0 more than
they ought. Now, said Mr.. Bradford,
these are issues between the parties
that in all fairness the railroads be-
lieve ought not TO be referred back
TO the tax commission, which has
already passed upon the, matter, and
IL is to obtain an unbiased tribunal
that / have offered my amendment.
II such a tribunal can be constituted
the railroads cannot complain. The
bill makes the tax commission SUI
preme. There is no appeal from it.
To this the railroads object. They
are entitled to appeal. Before the
tribunal which / propose" MIR. Brad
ford added, "the tax commission could
appear and present the states side Of
the taxation case and there the ra@k
way attorneys could meet IL with
their briefs and arguments. The ad-
ditional expense of a new commission
is not to be considered in view of the
great interests to be involved" said
Mr. Bradford in closing.
Mr.. Smalley believed the gentle
man from Eau Claire was entirely
sincere in thinking his plan would
strengthen the bill but he thought II
would have a weakening effect He
did not credit the theory that the tax
commission had prejudiced the case,
and If its report shows that the rail-
roads have not paid adequately it is
because il is convinced of that fact.
The bill provides amply for rehear-
ing and if the railroads are not salts
fed with. the findings of the commits
sion they may have recourse to the
courts. We will be- charged with a
needless expense by the people if we
create yet another commission, con-
cluded Mr.. Smalley.
Mr.. Smoker, frank faced fellow,
and one of the youngest members oil
the houce, made his maiden speech,
anu did il well, speaking briefly. but
clearly and to the point. He argued
that the present commission was
called for by the railroads in the
first instance and that they ought
now TO be satisfied with it. -. The
commission is not an arbiter; itsifind-
ings not an adjudication. Mr.. brad
ford did not suggest that the new
commission would not be more able.
The people have already. decided for
the ad valorem taxation of the rail
roads so; that the only matter for a
new commission would be to see that
such a system was fairly operated.
Mr.. Cady made a really impassioned
address, declaring Mr. ,Bradford's
motion was a surprise TO most people,
anu the effect of 1t was. if adopted,
TO instruct the tax committee to- re.
model the bill. He wanted the mo-
ton divided The clause to refer TO
the committee being one question,
and the constitution of the commits
sion another Then he launched into
a vigorous defence of the bill, arguing
that the house should stand by the re-
port OF the committee, which had re
ceived the. briefs from the railroad
and arguments from the tax commits
sion. The bill is the result of the
committees best judgment as well as
of the tax commissions. The mem.
bers of the commission were Landed
as three of the ablest men of the
state, and their recommendations the
people think are correct. The rail
roads say they have not had time to
examine the question, and yet they
urge that the commission is not a fair
Judge, Notwithstanding its long exam
nation OF the matter. He thought
the present method of creating the
commission was safeguarded against
possibleserror by the. fact that alp,
continents to it must be confirmed
by the senate. If the Bradford plhn
is good, that one-third of the commits
sion is elected, why not elect them all?
Mr.. Cady particularly objected to the
supreme court being embarrassed with
the selection of one. of the memhe5
whose acts might have to be re
viewed by, it. Are we now, he said,
to adopt the guess, work of railway
lawyers, who have; not had time to
study the matter, after the tax COM
mission. has speAt four years of care.
fRl study upon 1T 2---.In his brief, At
torneys Bowers of the Northwestern
railway says his company last year
paid $4,000 more in taxes than was
fair; and yet he wants this license
system continued Il say" said Mr.
Cady just a bit cynically, that if the
railroads are beiI.S taxed heavier
than they ought TO be let us adopt a
system that will do away with this
great wrong. The oppressive burden
should be removed; but do you be
lieve that the gentleman is sincere
IL you were robbed every year. IN
taxes would you want that robbing
system continued? OF course you
wouldn't. It's an absurdity. The
whole policy OF the opposition is dc.
lay, nothing else" and the speaker
did not believe the members of the
assembly wanted delay. The people
have studied the question for years
and now demanded action.