The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-10

Continued from Page 81
be proper for them to attempt it You
and don't want the railroads Grip
pied in any way, and we are anxious
teaches us that there must be laws
TO control them or the people suf-
fer. The railroads make a serious mis-
take when they attempt to run the
politics of the state, and they will get
fairer treatment if they cease doing
so. 1t viii not be an easy matter to
draft railroad law. 1t is going to
take a great deal of study. but 1 am
in favor of following the provisions of
laws from the different states that
have the approval of the courts. I
don't want some doubtful measure
proposed Personally have no inter-
est in any railroad, and only desire
that the fair thing shall be done be-
tween the railroads and the people.
For the last eight years I have been
trying to be fair in adjusting diff
ferences between people. I have no
preJudices whatever against the rail-
road companies. 1 believe they have
been a great help in building up this
state If elected governor expect to
show that same degree of fairness in
dealing with the different interests of
this state.
Mr.. Hoch refers to the late Mr.. Grad
dock s campaign and seems to glory in
his defeat 1t will be remembered that
in the joint debate with Governor
Bailey Mr.. Craddock made the state
ment that if the Republicans were sue
cessful the railroad taxes would be re-
duced and others raised. And to show
YOU that that statement has been veri-
fed. let me read you an extract or two
from a pamphlet published by Republi-
cans relating to that matter. This
phamphlet is entitled who Raised the
TaXes2 State Taxes in Kansas Were
Raised Last Year.
The state board of equalization was
composed of State Treasurer Kelly.
Secretary of State Burrow and Auditor
Wells This board took the assessment
of the property in the counties as re
ported by the county clerks and raised
1t about per cent, making net in
crease of 500. 1853. 03S. and increasing the
total state tax to be paid into the state
treasury from 81. S97. 354 in 1902 to 81 $780,
495 in 1908. increase of S4S3, 141, or of
24-1 per cent.
The valuation of the railroad property
was made by the boards of railroad as
SCISSORS, composed of three members of
the board of equalization and of the
lieutenant governor and the attorney
general The property of the farmer.
the merchant and the working man was
raised in assessment by the board of
equalization The assessed value of the
railroad property in the state was act
ually decreased by the board of railroad
assessors. Both boards were made up
of state officers who belonged to the
faction with Treasurer Kelly and the
senate. The comparative statement of
the assessment of railroad property in
the state for 1902 and 1908, shown by the
taking into consideration the new rail-
road property reported in 1903. is as fol-
lows:
Total railroad as
sesSment 1902. in
Guiding Pullman
cars -. .......... S5e.o45. O5S. 90
sessment 1903. in
GLIDING Pullman
Deduct new rail-
road property and
additional Pull
man cars report
that of IsOa.--..... Ss7.1s1.s7- IS. so4. $3.50
1902 -. -. 5 44O,Os7.s7
And there is another little joke con-
nected with this section in this, that it
shall be the duty of the company, if
within its power, to furnish cars.
That leaves another question to be liti-
gated, and the company will always
attempt to show that it was not with
in its power. And when suits have
been brought in this state against the
companies for damages for not fur
niShing cars, the cOmpany'S lawyers
are setting up this defense and expect
to win out on it, that the claim was
not filed before the commissioners, |
hence the parties can maintain no
action against them in court. Some f!
states provide that the railroad COM /
panies shall furnish cars upon reason |
able notice, unless prevented by |
strikes. and heavy penalties are pro-
do so. So you see we are at a dis |
advantage, the cars are taken to those /
states to avoid such damages and pen
alties. and we suffer in consequence of /
poor laws upon the subject. And an /
other section of our statute provides /
that no railroad companies shall be /
permitted except as otherwise pro-
vided by regulation and order of the /
board. to change or limit its common /
law liability n common carrier. |
And the companies Immediately in i
drTCa the hoard n o the order linn /
fling their liability. so when the stock 1
shipper has loaded his car of stock I
and the engine runs down on the 4
switch to haul the cars out to make /