Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-02
WOODMEN TO BE ASSESSED
State Board 0rdeI Assessor Reed to List
the Reserve Fund.
FURTHER HEARING IN MERCHANDISE
when Pinned Down 60 Tell what
They Know Lincoln Men Are Not
SO Certain Regarding
values.
From a star correspondent.l

From a STAFF Correspondent
LINCOLN, Aug. 1-(Special This after
noon the State Board Of Equalization and
Assessment. acting through the chairman,
Governor Mickey. issued a positive order
to County Assessor Reed Of Douglas county
20 assess the 100000 reserve over which
there has been so much controversy Reed
told the board that he had understood the
order to him to assess only the Nebraska
business and refused TO do anything with
out written order. which was issued. He
stated that there would undoubtedly be
litigation over the order.
The action OF the board arose from the
announcement that Mr.. Reed had assessed
only the Nebraska business, according TO
the rule laid down for other insurance com
panies. The county assessor of Hamilton
county. after the session Of the board on
the question OF the Omaha merchandise
taxation. inquired of Reed how he had
made the assessment, and his reply led
the governor to make inquiries as TO the
, method adopted. The Royal Highlanders
an organization which has its headquarters
at Aurora, is assessed on 10000 worth OF
property, including the reserve, a part Of
which is in the shape OF mortgages kept
in the office of the insurance commissioner.
Reed stated that the valuation on which
she company was assessed was the Ne
braska business, about $4,000
Ibid you assess the woodmen OF the
World in that way?" quered the governor.
res, sir" replied Reed
Hadn't you better go back and assess
It on the $3,OOOOO0 resorve?" queried the
governor.
Il had the impression that you thought
the plan pursued by me was all right"
Eaid Reed. II was down here before the
hoo nj Iot1 ha vIa hofo Nd
understood that It met with your approval.
You did not say anything, but took it that
1t met the requirements.
Eaton stands for order.
I'VE told you to assess the reserve" In
terrupted Eaton. the land commissioner. Il
did not vote for the resolution requiring
the assessment OF fraternals, but now that
we have II l am determined to help enforce
It, Either the Woodmen must go UP or the
Highlanders be assessed on the same basis" "
III you have omitted the assessment Of
the reserve, MIR. Reed" said Governor
Mickey 1T is your duty TO put It on the
lists, and it Is the boards duty to see that
you do it."
Under the advice OF our county attorney
] placed It on the same basis as the Bank
ers' Reserve" replied the county assessor.
The governor repeated the statement that
the concern must be assessed at Omaha and
ltaton reiterated his demand for equal
treatment for the Woodmen and the High
landers. Treasurer Mortensen suggested
that there might be something wrong with
the assessment of the Bankers Reserve
and said that 1t ought to be looked after II
that was the basis on which It was as
Eessed. Reed was told that a written order
Commanding him to act would be issued.
lie stated that he did not believe II policy
TO assess the reserve of the organization
because II tended to hinder instead of en-
courage the development OF helpful form
Of insurance and might oblige the associa-
tlon to move out of the state. Reed said
That County Attorney Slabaugh had told
him there was but little question as to the
outcome of a test case. but, on the other
hand, County Attorney Stanley of Hamilton
county insisted that there would be a VIC
tory for the contention made by the state
board.
Douglas Makes Better showings
The showing made by the Douglas
county taxpayers before the State Board OF
Equalization was much more satisfactory
today and the result has been to greatly
weaken the case made by the Lancaster
county complainants over the merchandise
assessments. Judge Tibbetts, who repre-
sents President John r. Miller and the
other large Lincoln merchants in the prose
cution of the complaint, was obliged to ad.
init that the witnesses whom he brought
forward spoke not from positive knowl.
edge, and several OF the Lincoln business
men who were called forward in response
20 the question from County Assessor Reed
stated that they would believe the Omaha
ameu. whose returns are questioned. under
> path. In some instances the witnesses tes
Sided IN n vaIua nrettv close IN that or