Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-03-17
'DnsnssSSd I1n IN. WASHINGTON
Chief Executive ssGoas to Capital
on a Very important Mission.
RAILROADS CONTROL STATE
IHe Declares Authorities are Not
Making Satisfactory Progress In
Their Fight Against Combine.

Making Satisfactory Progress In
Their Fight Against Combine.
Trouble for the railroad companies
which traverss this state is foreshad-
owed in the visit to Washington OF
Gov. William M. o. Dawson. The gov
ernor several weeks ago in lettersto
6enator Tillman, which the latter
Eead on the floor of the senate, stated
that West Virginia was in the grasp
BIZ railroad trust, of which the con-
etitutent companies were the Pennsyl-
Fania, Baltimore and Ohio. Chesa-
Ipeake and Ohio. and Norfolk and
Western.
He said that the state authorities
Were doing everything III their power
b break the hold of this alleged com.
bination. but we're not making salts
actorv Roadway. However. thev in
Iended to keep up the fight to release
Ipe state from its oppression, and it
Vas with reference to this struggle
That the governor went to Washing
in.
West Virginia has new law rela-
ng to the assessment of property for
5xation Is requires that property
ii all kinds shall be appraised at its
all.yalue. The law which it suner-
~ permitted q rather indefinite
Sisement, which ranged anywhere
cm Is to IS per cent, everything
epended upon the pleasure of the as
sssors, and the influence of property
7s5ers and corporations. The last
sessment of railroad property in the
late under the old law was fixed in
t04 at about s36. 600, 900. Recently,
le United States census bureau is.
he'd bulletin to the effect that the
ftua. valuation of railroad property
West Virginia, was 5000, 200, 600, OF
Go, 600, 900 greater than the valuation
BON which these generations now
y taxes.
FGov. Dawson had a conference with
irector North, of the census bureau
hes1ay, and went over the figures
at had been prepared by that office.
lie director explained to him the svs-
IN which was pursued in arriving at
e valuation of the railroads, and
silv demonstrated to the governor
at the assessment fixed By the state
icials was altogether too low.
EXPERTS TO VISIT STATE.
Two census Office experts will come
West Virginia to assist the state
ard of equaliz ton and assessment
making a reappraisement Of railroad
bpertY for the purpose of taxation.
is work will be undertaken in the
ar future, and signifies az early in
Iase in the West Virgins tax dupli-
e, in so far as the railroad com
nies are concerned. In addition tc
fonr railroads already mentioned
Wabash aud number OF smaller
bids Viii he affected.
It is, OF course. impossible at thi;
pc to convav any definite idea OF
\ large an increase Will be made il
present appraiSement. bat that il
be substantial Gov. Dawson says
re is no doubt. Some of the West
vginia people now in Washington
eve the assessments may BE- treb
Gov. Dawson is member OF
tate board Of equalizati n, aDd
lery determined. He believes that
railroads have been escapiug a
b share OF their just taxes, aud il
is purpc-s to bring them to time
hat score. n, Well as on others.
governor cum rred wi h several
hoers Of RE West yirei Ia del ga
in congress aud hal a
talk with Senator Elkius, al
Sc home he is a guest
Az BE NO EXTRA SESSION
baking to a newspap repnesanti
YIN Law sun AniAitdANh ttidl
beision with reference 10 alling
ecial session of the legislNtu' {
ld depend very largely. if not Gu
y, on the fate of the Hepburn bill
le United States senste.
e governor Is still earnestly de
- OF securing state railroad
mission and the enactment Of adj,
mai legislation, which will oper
hay for the correction OF discrim
on causes practlced against Ger.
weak shippers, bnt it is doubtful
will call special session fol-
purpose. owing to the probabil.
the Hepburn bill draal inu alonG
oDths yef, the cost of the four OF
|y-elections that would have RC
- 20 6ll legislative vacancies,
~ fact taat before ~ns rext >es