The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-07-04
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1906.
UNJUST TO THE TAXPAYERS.

UNJUST TO I'LL TAXPAYERS.
The fact that railroads operating in
Montana have q commercial value OF
over 1896, 900, 900, while their valua-
ton for assessment purposes is only
S36, 900, 900, is the subject OF a series
of articles by the Helena Independent.
1t is submitted that IN assessment of
railroad property at about IS per
cent. Of its cash value, when Mon.
tana tax laws call for a valuation at
its actual worth, is unjust to taxpay.
ers whose property is assessed in ac-
cordance with the statutory require
ment.
The actual cash value of railroads
operating in Montana is estimated by
the census bureau to be $196, 209, 900.
This estimate is based upon the earn
ing power of the railroads, as shown
In their official reports. The railroad
assessment made by the state board
of equalization last year amounted in
the aggregate to about s36, 600, 600.
Unequal taxation is unjust tax Ration.
The owner of railroad property 10
Montana should stand on the same
footing as the owners of other classes
of taxable property. The owner of
city real estate or ranch property is
subject to an assessment that repre-.
sents the actual cash value Of his pos
SESSIONS, which are generally listed at
a figure that corresponds closely to
the amour that such property would
bring at public sale. The merchants
stock OF goods is appraised at its &C.
tual value for purposes of taxation,
and in addition to this the merchant
Is required to pay a license for the
privilege of carrying on his business.
The property Of stockmen, ranchers
and other citizens of Montana is also
assessed at approximately the actual
value of their holdings.
Why should the property of Mon.
tana citizens be assessed at its actual
cash value, while railroad property
whose value is definitely known is as
sessed At less than one-tiith OF the ap.
praisement required by the tax laws
Of the state?
This Discrimination, with its result
ing injustice to Montana Taxpayers
generally, has existed for many
years. It will continue to exist until
public sentiment demands equal taxa.
ton for all classes of property
ewners. Fifteen years ago. the vslua.
ton OF railroad property in Montana
was At the rate Of from %, 900 to 81, 0OO
per mile. This rate has been in
creased from time to time, until the
assessment last year reached about
el4,OO0 per mile for the Great North.
ern and Northern Pacific railroads.
Even at this rate, the assessment
amounts to only about one-ffth of the
actual value OF the property, as the
official reports OF these railroad sys'
TENS show that they have a net earn.
ing power Of about 81, 1000 per mile.
Examin alton of his tax list by the
average Montana citizen will show
that his property is assessed at con.
siderably more than 81 times its an.
nual net earning capacity. Why
should his property be assessed upon
q basis different from that applied to
railroad property?
Another unjust feature Of Moutana
tax laws is the discrimination in favo,
OF mining property, which, by consti'
t%utional provision, Is taxed only upon
its net proceeds. The latter amount
to only $lO, O0OO. 900 to $l5. GOO, 600 an
nually, while the capitalization o1
mining companies in the Butte district
alone amounts to over $500, OOO, 600,
This injustice cannot be remedied ex'
cept by submitting the matter to a vote
Of the people. and the state Legislature
has persistently refused to permit the
submission OF the question t popula,
vote.
The railroad corporations and tn.
mining corporatious-the two wealth
lest property owners in Montana
enjoy an exemption from taxation tina
is most unjust to other owners of tax
able property. Under our system o
government by the people, the latte
have the power to provide a remed.
and should exercise it in q spirit o
fairness TO themselves and others.
ALCOHOL FOR INDUSTRIAL USE.