Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-04-13

documents Of the railroad companies
for the purpose of determining whether
they were paying the full amount OF
their taxes due the state.
IL is an important fact that every stat
wart in the state senate voted against
the bill to give the railroad commission
er the power necessary to make this in
vestigation searching, but instead forced
bill the railroad lobby and SAID sena-
tors believed would negative a telling
investigation How ever, Commissioner
Thomas has done we'll for the people
Notwithstanding the hampered condi-
tions. ED. CENSOR.
/ r AILRoADs CHEAT STATE FOR YEARS.
The report of Commissioner Thomas
does not include anything from the Wis
cousin Central railroad, because the
work is not far enough along to embrace
it within this report. IL included for
the two-year period it Is reasonable to
assume that the grand total of 81, 698,-
076 73, given above as wrongfully with
held from their gross earnings required
to be reported, would be swelled TO the
sum of two million dollars (S2, 600, O00)
This in round numbers and plain
terms means that the railroads OF Wis
consin have been cheating the state for
years by withholding from their gross
earnings million dollars year, which
the law required them to report Upon
this sum the state has lost, at per cent,
the sum Of forty thousand dollars tS4O,-
600 a year in railroad taxes.
But the railroad commissioner says
| that checking over work will increase
the amounts given above. He also says
that this report embraces no deduction
from gross earnings on account OF re-
bates on mileage books, special passen-
ger rates or free passes or mileage books
issued. The reason why this is not in
cluded is because the st. Paul railroad
refuses to show the books in which this
record is kept, and this branch OF in
quiry has not been reached with the 9TH
er roads IL this were included it would,
no doubt, greatly increase the totals
above given.
GREAT VICTORY FOR LA TOILETTE.
The results Of the investigation to
| date is an overwhelming victory and
vindication for Gov. La Toilette The
state of Wisconsin cannot afford co put
in his place at this time any other man,
and especially neither of the ,nen now
/ in the field seeking the nomination for
| goy srnOr, backed, as they both are, by
stalwart and railroad Influences A
strong hand win be needed to press
/ for additional legislation necessary to
complete and thorough investigation
| and 20 pr0secuts tde peoples interest
| against these taxdodging corporations
/ The railroads are sure Of tine active
assistance Of the regular lobby and of
! the favored manufacturers who get a
| share Of the pork No weak OK sub
/ servi6nt man who o0ss his rJA}uI tlon
to these corporations. tr 10 Eatir allies.
1 the big shippers a Wisconsin. ran b.
relied on for thisiGlpJrt saE w0fa VINO
would look after the states interest IL
! these matters il Baensch and the stall
warts, or Cook and his friends, Pfister
and lobbyist Philip, should be installed
/ in the executive office? Surrounded by
/ the influences which are pressing these
candidates upon the people, who doubt
! that vigilance would at once BE- relaxed
That the strong support which the
| executive Office should furnish TO the
| commissioner would be withdrawn
/ That the recommendation for additional
/ legislation which should be urged at
] the coming session would never be
made. with either of these men in the
/ governor chair, what reasonable man
can doubt? Ia the state of relinquish this
claim which in the aggregate cannot
| fall below a million dollars in the inter
ests of harmony These are questions
which the voters of Wisconsin must
answer now.
| S61, $3.50 IN TAXES DUE THE STATE
/ 1g0I-2 Chicago & Northwestern
( Repayment to shippers. ..,--.,.... .sGs4 076 CD
/ Other earnings not reported ..... j3,ei452
! s737,69O S.
I 1901 Chicago Milwaukee s. St, Paul
! Repayment % shippers. -..-.. S25i, SIS 93
other earnings not reported. ...-. asd,S'5 o!
sG8s 100 o.
lq9t.2 Chicago 81. T., Minneapolis s Omaha
Repayment to shippers. ........... sl67.53aGt
other earnings not reported ......,. 5000 Y
g. $50. G.
lgH-2 Minneapolis, 81. Paul n ST. Marte--
Repayment To shippers ..-...-.... S94 7G3 .
Other carnincs not reported .-...... 33,33lS
Si4s 094 s
Grand Total,,..,...,..,., ,.... 81 SOS, oi69
AZ four per cent there would be due the stat
In taxes on this amUu nt.,,...-...., sf1, 92r,0