The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1906-05-30
TAXING TIE RAILROADS.

20 the people of me Territory j. that
of the Mayors and City Assessors Of
the various towns and cities q The
Indian Territory a. Muskogee, May
3ist. where the question Of taxing rail.
roads operating in this country will
be considered and discussed.
4 number ~ the railroads have sue
cessfully resisted the payment of any
taxes prior 20 this time To cure this
evil legislation on this subject was
passed by congress 10 the recent
Curtis Act which was approved April
goth. Of this year.
The object of the meeting is 20 Sc.
cure uniformity In the rate OF taxa
ton and avoid litigation. u IS q new
question 90 the city officials and they
are likely 20 meet with many diffi'
The section Of the Curtis Act re-
ferred 20 IS as follows
THAT the tangible property Of rail.
road corporations exclusive % roll.
ing stock located within the c0rpor.
ate limits Of incorporated cities aad
towns OF Indian Territory. shall De-
assessed and taxed in proportion Co
It's value the same as other property
lis assessed aud taxed in such iucor
porated cities and towns. and all
such city or town councils are hereby
empowered 20 pass such ordinances
a. liay De necessary for the assess
ment. equalization. levy and cOllec-
tion. annually. of a tax on all prop
erty except as herein stated within
the corporate limits and for carrying
the same into effect. provided. that
should any person or corporation feel
aggrieved by any assessment Of prop
eriy In the Indian territory an ap.
peal from such assessment may be
taken within sixty days by original
petition. 20 be filed IN the United
states court IN the district In which
such city or town Is located. and the
question of the amount and legality
% such assessment. and the validity
" such ordinance under which such
assessment is made. may De deter.
mined by such court, aad the costs
81 such proceeding shall be taxed
and apportioned between the parties
as the court shall find Just and e1uit.
able"
As this section Of the Curtis act
makes the United states court the
anal tribunal 90 settle disputes be-.
tween tax assosor- and corporations
or individuals. the mayors OF the ter.
htory are anxious that there be- a.
little friction and dissatisfaction re
sarding the assessments as possible
The railroads share the same view
and are heartily 90 favor OF the meet
ing. Several railroad attorneys and
one street railway president are or
the program for addresses az th,
coming meeting. \ prominent rail
road attorney said ou this point. "N,
are not finding any fault with the new
law which compols us Go pay taxes
upon our railroad property $40 M,
towns w. realize howe r'r. tu'
In some towns assessors may scai
to play 10 the gaudstand and may
value our property too high, workin,
an actual injustice upon the railroa,
company We intend tu take ne
hand in debating what the assessc,
valuation Of the property shall bee
hut We hope to see the assessors an'
city officials Of the different town.
adopt uniform basis Of yaluauo.
upon railroad property II this b
not done, there will probably Doe
great many suits nled Ina the courts
! conducted a. a great expense TO th
b railroads aud the cities and towns u
. yolycd. The railroads expect 10 9cu
! their share of taxation, but viii g
a to the courts IL any attempt is mad
b to oycrasscss them 90 make politlca
capital for some town politician
. n rs roughly estimated that India
Territory towns viii collect durlu
Do | tue thillNk N'dl Fl'""'" az '"N'
I from the railroads. Heretofore the
b have received practically nothinl
Il The Frisco Santa Fe and Rock u
b land systems paid taxes In a te'
d towns where they wished 10 sccur
special fayors. The Missouri Kan
Pc ia q Texas and the Missouri Pacih
railroads, however have paid n
e taxes I'm the territory Up To Oh
D. present time Indian Territory ha
S been the only place In the worl
s where railroad companies have n'
ID been compelled to pay taxes for tl
'e privilege of owning property and d
'h ing business.
-O+O
THE PRINCESS EMA