Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1905-08-11
Dawson's Tax Reform.
(Communicated.)

like all his explanations, has been
made to create favorable impression
relative to the new tax laws. He en-
phasizes the fact that the railroads
have been assessed IS per cent higher
while every intelligent man. who 10
informed knows that even the In
creased assess ment is not oue-tenth
their real value.
The B. & o. has a main tracka1e
in the state Of 500 miles long toseIs
er with it's branches will aggregate
600 miles. The c. & o. has at least
an equal amount and the Norfolk and
Western with almost as much. The
West Virginia Central with its feed
ers, the Elk River road with more
than n o miles to say nothing Of the
c. V. and other roads OF less impor-
lance making in all fully 1900 miles
of we'll equipped railroads and then
say 81 millions is fair valuation OF
the railroads. Why the Wabash paid
Davis and Elkins II millions for the
West Virginia Central with a little
more than 100 miles of road. Consider
the extensions Of the railroads, their
branches, double tracking. the heavy
rail, the depots. iron and concrete
bridges and the vast amount Of roll
ing stock, with the finely equipped
cars and improved engines and then
parAd the claim before sane people
that the railroads are assessed 5 mil
lions, more than last year and that
il means q reduction OF tsXes to the
people.
Dawson claims that the board of
public works did not have time to in
vestigate the value of the railroads
this year as the, hope to do next yea.
In the face OF this tho county asses
ssrs are instructed by Commissioner
Dillon to assess the farm lands at
their full and actual value, the farm
ers' beds. grains, bacon and poultry.
Dawson and his board of public
works junketing over the road on free
passes neglecting to properly value
the property of the great corporations
Tax reform means two things: to
elect Dawson Governor and to benefit
the corporations and both objects
have been attained.
The board las rs much time to as
sess the railroads properly as did the
county assessors, but they have vic
lated their oaths Of Office in the in
terest of the money power and de-
serve impeachment.
We wish to call attention - anoth.
er point in the system of graft, toat is
that the Governor said that he en-
ployed Col. Howard as an expert on
bridges to in vestigate and that his
report shows that the interstate bridges
were assessed too high last year 1t
will be easy hereafter to dodge behind
these experts. Then he says Commits
sioner Dillon will create a bureau,
chosen by the governor and commits
sioner to confer with the railroads
and report to the board of public
works to aid them in assessing raj
road property. Competent men, says
Dawson will inspect rolling stock,
tracks &c.
Where will these experts come
from? If they are not in the employ
of the reads where were they taught?
Should railroad men be employed to
assess railroad property? The lands
are not assessed by experts in agrl-
culture to investigate the productive
ness of the lands and the financial
condition of their owners.
Here Is an instance: Webster cSun-
ty increases in round numbers from
one million to three million on its
land and personal property Now there
is very small increase in railroad
valuation in that county. Now if
Webster got along last year on a VAL
uation OF one million ought she not
to reduce her levy 200 per cent when
her valuation is increased in that pre-
portion2 But how about the railroads? |
The railroads with very small in
crease in valuation will be ben Gifted |
by the reduction in levy.
The bureau of tax reform with an
unprecedented spectacle of a gsver-
nor and his tax c2mmlssio ner Great |
ing numberless assessors, inspectors,
repor .ers and experts is the rankest
form of autocracy.
Wicked men are in highplaces. No
Juggling of figures or covering up Of |