Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-05-18
Ass'd Val
Two votes on Union PaCihc.

The vote on the assessment OF the Union
Pacific came after long wrangle over
the assessment Of the Pullman Car com
pany AS inaugurated yesterday the vote
was by secret ballot and the FIRST re-
suited as follows: Two for $4,000, two
for S6O,5O0 and one for 3s2,5oO. When it
was proposed to take a second ballot, Mr..
Mortensen remarked:
"I think we had better compromise this
than 20 take another ballot. Yesterday
some one OF you three voted for an in
crease on the Northwestern, and when we
took the second ballot all of you except
the governor voted for the same assess
ment Now, 1 am willing to vote to make
the aSssss S62,6Oo q mile, as one of
you have voted"
I'm willing to come down TO that Also"
chimed in the governor, in order to get
an increase"
will you vote with US Mr.. searle,'
asked Mortensen.
II think that's too high" replied Searle
viii you vote with us Mr.. Eaton?"
We'll, l will vote when II comes my
time to vote" answered Eaton without
committing himself.
Then we may Just as well vote" said
Mortensen, and the three members, Eaton,
Searle and Galusha voted for the S6O,5OO.
so, 900 valuation. This is an increase IN
the assessed value of the road of 800 a
mile. or an increase in the total assess
ment OF about $96,
In the matter OF assessing the Pullman
company Mortensen wanted to add so per
cent to the value by reason of the COM
pany having right to do business in the
state. He argued the cars were returned
as stationary and that as going property
they should pay for the privilege.
Attorney General Brown was called be-
fore the board and he told the members
under the statutes it was their duty to as
1 sess the Pullman company on its physical
/ property only. Mortensen took exceptions
/ to this ruling, and argued for 30 per cent
increase. The other members of the board,
! however. with the exception of Mickey,
! thought the law plain in the matter Nor
tensen was asked II he had any reason
for adding so per cent TO the value. and
/ ne replied he had not, but II was merely
arbitrary. After a very strenuous debate
he suggested that the board fix the value
temporarily at what 1t had been returned
by the company and this was done
Reed Discusses Omaha Valuation.
County Assessor Reed Of Douglas county
was here today and discussed Omaha
valuation informally with the board
He is trying TO get a higher assess
ment on merchandise in that city hS
told the board, but he did not know
/ how successful he would be. He also told
the board in answer to an inquiry that
the real estate owned by the Omaha Bridge
and Terminal company had heretofore beer
valued too high.
. A. the request of the board Tax Commits
sioner Hayden OF the Great Northern ap,
peared and said his road from Sioux City
TO Ashland, which had not yet been com,
pleted cost $1,000 a mile to construct
Some Of the work, however, he said, hao
been done twice owing 70 washouts. Be
cause OF this the board flXed the value o'
this road at $1,000 a mile, or an assessment
value of 5000 mile. This will swell th'
total increase over last year about $4,000
in addition. This road, however, was no
included In the assessment roll last year
The board adjourned until 10 O'Clock Mon
day morning, at which time formal vot,
will be taken and the assessment will b,
hNed AZ stated