Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1906-06-20
GOV. CUMMINS' RAILROAD RECORD.

This record is not ancient history, it
comes down to modern times and is
especially pertinent since he sees fit
to charge that every man who stands
for the nomination of Hon. Geo. d.
Perkins is the servile tool of the
corporations.
Not so very long ago Gov. Cummins
appeared as an attorney of record for
the Des Moines Union Railway in a
case in court. This is but few
months ago and since then no an
nouncement has been made of the
appointment of an attorney to succeed
him by the railroad company, hence
it is safe to assume that Gov. Cum
ms at the present time occupies a
position not only of attorney for that
road but also chairman of the eXecu-
tive council, the board which fixes
the assessment of the Des Moines
Union as we'll as other railroads of
the state. Now it is well known
fact in Des Moines that the Des
Moines Union Railway is assessed far
below what it ought to be. Mr.
Schramm, the assessor in Des Moines,
is quoted as stating that the value of
this railroad is approximately two
million dollars. 1t is assessed for
taxation by the executive council, of
which Gov. Cummins, who, sup
posedly is the attorney for the road. is
chairman, at 1926, 900, or 500, $50 per
mile tor four miles of track.
Now, in the case of terminal line,
as is the Des Moines Union, the
switch tracks are just as valuable as
the main line and should undoubtedly
so be assessed. AS matter of fact,
however, while this read owns fourteen
miles of additional side. tracks it is
only assessed on four miles of main
track. 1t should also be noted that
the capital stock of the Des Moines
is valued at $500, 900.
This statement of fact is thrown in
as little curtain raiser to the real
story.
The supporters of Gov. Cummins
talk very enthusiastically about the
great benefits that the governor has
conferred upon the people of Iowa by
raising the railroad assessment, or, in
other words, following somewhat
along the line of the contentious of
Lieutenant Governor Herriott a few
years ago while he was state treasurer.
The governors organs print long
tables showing the comparative as
sessments of the railroads under Gov.
Shaw and also under Gov. Cummins
and point out that the increase is very
remarkable and that it proves that
Gov. Cummins has resisted the over
lures of the corporations and forcing
them TO bear their just share of the
burdens of taxation.
The figures show tnat deducting tie
valuation OF new road constructed
during the administration of Gov.
Cummins, the railway assessment of
the state has been increased about
81, 0C0, 600 the past four years.
This would be very satisfactory if it
gave both sides of the picture.
Unfortunately, however, for the truth
of history, the Cummins people do
not refer to the fact that the valuation
of lands, town lots, and personal
property has been also very largely
increased under the present admins
tration.
The facts are that in 1900 under
Gov. Shaw the valuation of this sort
of property in the state was fixed at
1892, 107. 10. The present valuation is
1851, $50, 52l, or an increase of some
thing like $50, 554, 448. in taxable
valuation. In other words, for every
one million dollars additional valua-
tion for taxing purposes placed upon
the railroads the taxable valuation of
the other property of the statehas been
increased over eight million dollars
The taxpayers will remember that
a few years ago word went out that
the taxable valuation of the farms of
Iowa was too low, and that the as
SCISSORS must obey the law strictly and
keep the valuation up. 1t will also
be remembered that under those in
structions the taxable valuation of the
lands, lots and personal property of the
state exclusive of railroads. was in
creased from 1919, 1853, 46l in 1902 to
$56S, Gal. ga in 1908 an increase in one
year Of nearly fifty million dollars.
At the same time the railroad assess
ment was increased 81, 900, 900 and from
1903 to 1904 this assessment was
further increased 1898, 547. In the
meantime, however, not satisfied with
an increase Of $40, ZOO, 600 in one year.
the Cummins administration further
increased the taxable valuation of the
property belonging to the farmers and
business men of the state trifie over
Sl3, 900, 600, in the valuation for
1904 as compared with 1903. A little
mathematical calculation will show
that the percentage of increase was
nearly "a half greater on the general
property of the state between 1903 and
1904 than on the railroad property.
At is evidently impossible for the
friends of the present administration
to make any capital out of increased
railroad assessments when the great
in hA Irn .Nla