Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-01-16

our higher educational institutions,
he states, impel them to ask for APP
preparations far beyond the States
ability to provide. The Legislature
will be, of necessity, obliged to deny
some things which under different
circumstances it would willingly grant.
The Governor thinks that the educa-
tional institutions should be kept from
partisan politics, in their management.
The Governor recommends change
in the law defining the duties of
the State Board of Equalization, so
as to make it one in fact, instead OF
but in name, as it now is. Upon it
should be conferred the power to
change valuations as equalized by
county boards and such changes as it
directs in this respect should be made
upon the books Of the several counties.
In other words, the valuation OF prop
erty as equalized by the State boards,
instead of the valuation as equalized
by county boards, should be the basis
upon which taxes are levied for both
State and county purposes. The
State board then, instead Of simply
determining the sum total to be paid
by each county for State purposes, as
now, would determine the rate OF
taxation for State purposes. 1t should
also have the power to place upon the
assessment rolls any property omitted
by county assessors. With these
changes the responsibility for property
escaping taxation or being assessed at
but a small fraction of its real value
would rest upon the State board, in
stead OF being divided, as now, among
the assessors and the commissioners oil
the several counties.
He here incidentally shows the
necessity for a Railroad Commission
who with time unhampered by other
official duties, and authority to send
for persons, and to examine books, pa
pers and vouchers, may be able to
determine upon an equitable course.
Quotations are made from the State
Constitution, regarding prohibition Of
combines, monopolies and trusts, and
the duty imposed by it for the Legis'
lature to enforce the policy by appro-
pirate legislation. He thinks that the
time has fully arrived for the law
makers to discharge that duty. They
are sworn to support the Constitution
and as the head OF the legal department
Of the State declares that there is rea.
son to believe that the fundamental
law is being violated, as shown by the
suit pending between the State and
the Northern Securities Co., it seems
to be an imperative duty to supply the
means by appropriation OF ten thou.
sand dollars necessary for the proper
presentation OF the case before the
Federal Courts.
In regard to the free pass provision
Of the State Constitution, the Governor
urges compliance with the promise Of
the Republican. Is we'll as the Demo
cratic State Conventions. for immediate
and effective legislation. He favors
the most stringent provisions on this
matter.
The general fund Indebtedness is in
process Of gradual determination from
collection of taxes that became
delinquent during q long period Of
depression. and from the natural
increase of revenue due 70 develop.
ment of the country. He urges, how.
ever, action which may reduce the tax
on general property by more general
distribution OF the burden upon
property valuations, and this leads the
executive up to his main contention
for making the railroads pay their full
share OF taxation. The Governor says
From the reports Of the State Board
of Equalization I find that the main
track OF the railroads in this State il
divided into five classes. The first
class. consisting of 965 miles and q
fraction, is equalized at $1,000 pei
mile. This, it is believed, is moi
more than one-tenth of the actual
market value. The second class
consisting of 1858 and . fraction
miles, is equalized at s., $50 per mile
the third class, consisting OF 220 and q
fraction miles, At 50, 168 per mile; the
fourth class, consisting OF 156 and q
fraction miles, at $1,000 per mile, and
the fifth class, consisting of 81 and q
fraction miles. At 81. 1920 per mile
The total length of main track il
1881 and . fraction miles, and it il
assessed at the insignificant sum oil
Observation-Disclosures, at least, in
comparison with its real value. Oh
side-track there is $50 and q fraction
miles. assessed at $1,132,5 SOL. The
average assessed value of main track
per mile 10 $5,271.45. The average
assessed value of side-track per mile is
81, l12.O3. The aggregate assessed
value Of rolling stock and all railroad
personal property is $3,753,586. The
aggregate assessed value of all railroad
property in the State, used for railroad
purposes, is $40, 604, $50. BY those
who have inquired into the matter the
statement that this property is worth
at least $500. O00, 900 is deemed con.
sentative. But l am not advocating
that it should be assessed at the full
sum of 5000, O00, 900, for believe that
throughout the State, quite generally
property is assessed at something
below its real value. But that the
disproportion between the real and
the assessed value OF other property i.
anywhere nearly 20 great as the
disproportion between the real and the
assessed value of railroad property nc
one can be found to contend.
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