Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1906-03-15
Vast lJYeEence.

The lonr-standing contrast between
the value Of property when it is for sale
ana when it is to he taxed is based on
human nature. Everyone wishes TO sell
his property for as much as be thinks
ne can get and at least a large share Of
them went to get their taxes down TO
the lowest possible notch. But It seems
to have been reserved for a corporation
to furnish the most exigent example Of
this common failing
The New York Central railrosd owns
franchise and tracks on Eleventh ave
nue. and connecting streets in New York
CRY. It has been proposed to remove
these tracks and the corporation has
astifed the city that the price Of the
franchise is 500, 600 coo. But under
sue franchise tax law in New York all
franchises must pay taxes like real
estate. on their value. The Board Of
Tav Commissioners last year assessed
this very franch Sc at the vaiue q
8. 10000 and the railroad Is still Goa
testing the assessment on the ground
that it is excessive.
In other words, the corporation claims
that its property when a sale is contem-
plated is worth more than sixty tunes
its just value for taxation. If this does
not enatle it to tho prize it would De in
structive to hear from the corporation
hat can beat IT'D spatch.
Where License Money Goes.
The mercantile licenses all go to the
state, excepting officers fees.
All the wholesale brewers, distiiiers
and bottlers' licenses go to the state, ez-
cepting officers fees
Retail liquor licenses granted in the
county are as follows: In city OF the
third class each license costs $3.50 Fifty
dollars of each license goes to the coun-
ty. Balance goes to the respective
cities.
In boroughs each license costs 5000
Fifty dollars Of each license goes to ihe
state, $50 each license goes to the
county aud the balance goes TO the re-
spective borou1hs.
Iu townships each license costs $l0O.
Twenty dollars Of each license goes to
the state. SIS Of each license goes to the
county, ard the balance goes to the re-
spective townships.
The Confederation OF Expert
ence.
When the United States Government
took charge Of the Panama canal it was
somewhat lightly given out that it
would show the world new and un-
precedentedly efficient way to prosecute
great public undertakings. A mental
review Of the mGddlings. striyings and
shifts that make up the record of pro-
| gress in the task can hardly fail to lend
strong corroboration to the declaration
Of John E. Wallace that the way to get
the canal dug is to make contract
with firms or syndicates to do the work,
and confine the function Of the Govern
ment to police and sanitary supervision
of the canal strip. and to seeing that
the work is performed according to the
contract
The Government is fairly well equip
ped for performing the duty of super
vision aud inspection il transactions Of
Ehe Carter stripe are vigiIantly exclud
ed. The spectacle of Carter in prison
VIII greatly aid that exclusion. Bui
the United States is not equipped fol
carrying on vast business undertake
ing. especially when all important ques
tions musr be decided by an authority
| 1000 miles from tile scene of action and
not conyersant with practical conditions
from which the problems arise More
eescrry,s---r7----ys
strong hint that even so earnest re-
former as President Roosevsl5 finds ii
difficult to overcome the methods Of
political selection that do little to secure
the most efficient men for carrying on
the work.
The experience Of the past year Of
two will not need to continue very
much longer tn put the theory Of Gov
| erlment prosecution of public works
without contracts in the light of what
old Governor Anen of Ohio used to de
scribe as "a Id. barren ideaIity y"
Dispatch.