, 1906-10-10
UNCLE IcHABoD's DIssEMBLING

lChabod OF the Leader q gone BACK
on his salutatory pledge, in which he
stated hat it was his purpose to stick
squarely TO the truth in his editorial
u~tterances.
In an article somewhat abusive of
the state board of equalization he calls
in question their action in fixing the
valuation of the railroad property of
the state. The criticism was proper
from his standpoint, provided he had
confined himself to statements of fact,
but as usual with democratic editors
in making what people would naturally
suppose were quotations from the rec
ords of the state he gives figures which
do not appear. His figures are SO wild
that anything he may say hereafter
must be taken with a great deal Of al
lowance.
In comparing railroad assessments
with the cattle industry he likes the as
sessed value of cattle at $40 per head,
whereas upon the class he named the
assessed value is $3.50. The average
valuation of Wyoming cattle for the
year 1906 was $14.23. There is a vast
difference between s14.23 n $40 per
head-almost so per cent-but that is
"a trifing matter when a democratic
lprevaricator gets into a discussion OF
republican policies OIL republican acts.
Again, in fixing the valuation of the
Burlington railroad in Wyoming, the
same editor is wide of the facts. He
says the Burlington is assessed at the
rate of $4,000 per mile, whereas 1t is
assessed on its main line through the
northeastern portion of The state at
s4,100 and upon the line running into
Cheyenne at 1920.
For the sake of comparison he places
the valuation Of the railroads lower
than the records show and on the 9th
er hand he places the valuation of cat
tie almost so per cent higher. Then
from this unfair basis he proceeds to
argue. When a man annot state facts
in quoting from the records of the
state, there is little use of wasting time
in talking back.
Possibly in the great advance wy
. oming has been making under republi.
can administrations, there is a little
inequality In the assessment of the
various classes of property within the
state, but such discrepancies cannot
be remedied through the democratic
party. They have never remedied any
thing, so far as the people of the state
have ever been able to learn, and they
have had bitter experience giving them
q trial.
Four years ago the entire matter. was
threshed out by opposing state candi-
dates, and at that time it appeared to
be he general concensus of opinion
that 1t was not wise to tax transport.
tation lines excessively. Much rail-
road building is going on and more is
in contemplation. The Union Pacific
is rapidly double-tracking its system,
the Burlington is pushing a line from
northwest to southeast to connect up
its Big Horn railroad with Denver, the
Northwestern is extending its line
westward through the state and sew
eral smaller lines are in course of con
struction. There is bound to be some
inequality until conditions are settled.
But when the voter looks at the en-
tire problem through honest, non-par-
tisan eyes he will reach the conclusion
that under existing conditions the in
equality is not so great as appears at
first blush. The Leader, says the I'm.
ion Pacific is worth 100000 per mile.
Possibly it is, but granting that this
is true, is it not a fact that the val
liable terminals at Denver, Omaha, Og-
den, etc, are to be charged in with
this valuation? Is it not true that the
same equipment and roadbed could be
duplicated for less money by one-half?
A road cannot be taxed upon its earn.
ing capacity any more than a store or
q bank can be taxed upon a like basis.
The property in sight is the basis OF
valuation and assessment.
The railroads, telegraph, telephone
and coal companies of the state pay
approximately 20 per cent of the taxes.
The railroads alone pay approximately
Is per cent. The live stock industry
the greatest and most profitable of
state industries-pays approximately
-one,third of the taxes.
Turning to, other classes of proper
ty. it is found that the moneys and
credits of the state are not assessed
at any sum worth mentioning, that the
stocks of merchandise are assessed
at perhaps % per cent of their value
and that the lands of the state are val
ued at from 10 to 40 per cent of their
selling price. When a comparison is
made with all the property of the state
the railroads are not materially lower
than they ought to be. If any dis.
crepancy exists, The Republican be
lieves a fair representation to the state
board of equalization will meet with
a fair response.
One thing is absolutely certain, nc
relief can be expected through voting
the democratic ticket