New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1905-07-15
TAXATION ON RAILROADS
AND PERSONAL INJURY
Governor sayers Tells About What the
Railroads Paw


Railroads Pay.
Taxation Is an important part in the
expense Of railway administration. The
average valuation during the five
years ending June so. 1905, by the
Railroad Commission Of the railways
In this State was $15.976 per mile Of
road upon an average of S,S14 miles,
though the amount actually and nee
essarily expended in their construc-
ton and equipment was very much
larger. The roads were. during the
time, assessed for taxation at an av-
GRACE annual valuation OF 1854 per
mile, and in addition to such assess
nent by them OF $S3.79S on gross
passenger receipts.
1t Is confidently submitted that I'M
der such assessment for taxation the
railways contributed more toward the
support Of the government in proper
ton to their value. as determined by
the Commission, than any other char
acter of property in the State; and TO
sustain this proposition reference rs
had to Table 70 OF the Annual Report
OF the Comptroller Of Public Accounts
for the year 1904, where valuations are
given, county by county. A careful
and critical analysis of the table will
demonstrate. beyond question. that
value and quantity being considered.
not exceeding thirty three per cent of
the property in the State contributed
to the support of he government. The
railways, under the law as 1t was prior
to the Twenty-ninth Legislature. paid
more than fifty per cent upon valu-
alton fixed by the commission, and the
passenger tax besides.
For the want of adequate legal ma
chinery much Of other property has es-
capped and will continue to escape tax
alton: the railways, however, are not
permitted to enjoy this privilege All
that they ask Is. that in the matter Of
taxation they be not required to pay
in larger proportion to value than 9TH
er kinds OF property. They are entire
ly willing to pay their just proportional
share towards whatever may be need
ed for the public service; more should
not be required of them.
Another Item In the operating ex-
pense account Is that growing out Of
personal injury claims. These liabili-
ties have been rapidly and abnormally
increasing year by year. For the five
years ending June 80, 1899. they aggre-
gated $2,G67. 1857, as against IS, (056593 |
Tor the five succeeding years, being an |
increase during the five latter years |
over the five former of $5,3S9.226 or
over two hundred per cent. Referring
10 this particular expense, the Railroad
Commission of Texas, in their report |
Tor the year 1900, say: For the year !
1900 the increase is noticeable and ex-
traordinary, being 1862, 1893, or a little
damages than during the preceding
year ending June 80, 1899. While we
have no official information showing
he cause of this great increase we
understand in a general way that it
probably results in a large degree from
he activities of regularly organized
injury bureaus The only d.
'ect interest which this commission
las In this question grows out Of the
act that as the amount of these pay
nents is increased, the available rev.
'nues Of the railway companies are re-
luced, thus necessarily operating to
hat extent to prevent the reduction
VI freight rates, or 1t might be. to
'ause an increase of them" This dec
however, by the Commission
loes not have the effect tc diminish
his item Of cost to the railways. as is
hove shown.