The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-21
TAXATION ISSUE
IN NEW JERSEY
Campaign Against Railroads Much
Like Past Conditions in
Wisconsin.
BY w. w. Jermane.

ton ridden New Jersey has a local polit-
zeal issue this year which threatens. to
overtopan the national issues. It is equal
taxation, and the center Of the attack
Is the railroads which cross the state.
The people, claim that their property is
heavily and nequitably taxed, and that
the great railroad corporations, owning
much OF the most valuable land in the
state, pay only one-half as much as they
should pay.
The situation in some Of its phases
Governor La Toilette has been making
q fight for equal taxation, the railroads
being. his principal point of attack. It
is different from Wisconsin, however, in
that no one man is responsible for it.
nn Inc us issue ren was unwlttingly forced
strong demand for legislation that
would restore the tax equilibrium, but
the leaders permitted the legislature
to adjourn without doing anything
The northern part of the state pro-
Which IS most aected by the 'p une e1a
taxation, sent letter to the governor
denouncing the republican party and
threatening it's defeat at the next cleo
tion. Other leaders took the alarm and
at once an extra session of the legisla-
for an equal tax commission, which is
now at work and is to report to the
legislature in January, when appropri-
ate legislation will probably be enacted.
spurred On by Democrats.
The democrats were quick to see their
| advantage, and their criticisms had
cans to, prompt action. The democrats
meanwhile committed themselves irrev-
ocably to tax reform, promising that if
entrusted with power they would enact
drastic tax laws and see that the rail
roads were made to pay as much per
81 1000 Of their assessed valuation as
the individual citizen. :- =
| The New Jersey railroad tax law pro-
vides that for purposes of taxation rail
road property shall be divided into
four classes, viz: (l) The main stem. or
roadbed, and tracks, and depots, to the
width Of 100 feet; (2) all other real
estate 9nae main stem 90
vides that upon the value of the second
class property, being the real estate
other than main stem of the railroad,
the tax rate shall be $15 per $1,000.
| (There Is in New Jersey $42,000,000 Of
this class Of railroad property And
upon all other railroad property (there
being $184, 100000 Of it) the tax rate
road would pay :$l5 per $1,000, the man
from the railroad edifce or adjoining
it, would pay the full municipal rate
and it might be $3.50 per $1,000, as
in Jersey City. This is the discrimina
ton that pinches.
In 1903 the aggregate assessed value
Jersey was 1927 ,195, lis, upon which the
railroads paid the state $1,564 10000
and the municipalities $214,167. -
i Conflicting Interests.
The republicans being in control Of
the state government and, therefore
charged with full responsibility, are
the democrats, who are out Of office
and. therefore, In. position to make
reckless promises. There are conflict
ing interests to be served. If the re
publicans accede to the demands Of thu
people, theys may offend the railroads
and If they fail to accede they may. b.
driven out Of office. The railroad cor
publicans because of the extravagan
promises made by the democrats. AS be
tween two evils, they would choos
the lesser, At the same time the re
publicans will point out to the peopl
the insinoerity Of the democratic posi-
IlOu duu SHOW now, IL WOu1O uOJ o.
possible for that party to live up t.
: it's promises. Against democratic bun
combe they will place their own pro
! gram Of conservative action. I.
Thus far, it is believed, the repub
: licans have the advantage. The part,
Is pledged to correction Of the ia,
: abuses, and It's leaders have SO man
agedas to keepin the good graces of bot
the railroads and the public. The dem
: ocrats, on the other hand, have INQUIRE,
the Ill will of the railroads and do no
l seem to have secured the confidence o
z the people. .~. 4-s S<-..
: - Safe for Roosevelt. r.
? Those who are watching New Jerse.
8 with view to sizing up the presiden
tial contest, feel that the republican
have made the state certain for Roose
g welt. They say that Parker will no
< carry the state unless there should b
Q a democratic landslide, and Of thi
s there are not now any signs. The mos
g doubtful thing in New Jersey at pres
9 ent is the congressional situation. TIL
j chances are about even in three dis
g tricts, which are now represented b
9 gressional committee is making har
q fight to retain them. The belief tina
= the state will be for Roosevelt is be
coming stronger at the headquarters o
d the republican national committee.
Last year upwards Of 42,OOO,0O0 ga
Ions Of water were used in washing til
f. -. H. ,,~4os - H. -