The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-23
MACON PEOPLE WANT
PROPERTY ASSESSED
Question of Assessing Tuskegee lnsti-
tute for Taxes Is Referred to Sub
Committee After Lengthy
Argument.

montgomery, February 22.-(Spec1al.)-
The hearing on the bill to recall tax ex-
emptions on the property of the Booker
r. Washington school at Tuskegee, so
far as Macon county is concerned, at
tracted to a session of the house COM
mission on local legislation today one of
the largest crowds of the present ses-
sion of the Legislature. On agreement
each side was given one hour.
Among the citizens present from Tus-
kegee were Mayor o. S.pLewis, w. w.
Campbell president of the Macon Coun-
ty bank ]. H. Drakeford president of
the Bank of Tuskegee; c. w. Hare, at
torney; w. E. Huddleston, sheriff; j.
M. Roberts, farmer, and w. n. Hendon,
tax assessor.
Frank S. White of Birmingham and C.
w. Hare of Tuskegee appeared against
the bill, which is the side of the school.
The friends of the bill were represented
by o. S. Lewis, Mayor of Tuskegee, and
Jesse Stallings. Mr.. Lewis opened the
argument.
Mr.. Lewis stated that the people of
Tusllegee would enter no protest against
the state giving whatever it sees fiji to
the normal school and had no desire to
take away anything thus provided. He
stated that the bill sought to prevent the
$4,000 to Sl,O00,000 worth of property held
by the school from being freed of taxes,
insisting that it should bear it's share of
the cost of government of the county. He
insisted that the valuations of property
in the county as a result of the pres
ence of the school had not increased in
proportion to the losses incurred by ex-
empting the property of the school,
Tax Figures Given.
Mr.. Hendon tax assessor, was placed
on the stand to prove tax values of the
county. He said values in the county had
increa ased 50 per cent during the past five
years. According TO his statement prop
erty had not increased in worth to any
greater extent about the school than in
beats located away from it. While lots
show up better, he stated, acreages in
dicated very little difference. The av-
erage value of acreage was shown to
be somewhat the same all the way
through. Beat !, where tine school is To-
Gated, showed So per acre. Two others,
and 7, We're valued at the same figures
Beats and were put at So; at $780,
and A. ., and 10 at 81.
Taken in hand by Mr.. Hare, Mr.. Hen
don said that lands assessed several
years ago at $3.50 had enhanced in value,
and that those about the schools We're
probably worth now fully SIS acre.
1T was brought out that the residence of
Principal Washington was put in, with
adjacent property, at something like
SIS, 600 There were 2SS acres given in this
year for taxes; also 1888 acres near the
school, the latter being placed at $40
per acre. He said that attaches of the
school gave in property about as other
taxpayers. Some of them you have to
prize up and some are LIBERAL" he said
1t was also stated that these lands had
been put in for taxes after the present
agitation had come up.
Mr. Hendon was asked if there was not
a decided sentiment in the county against
the exemptions and he replied that there
was. He also stated, considering Mr.
Hare's question that there was a strong
sentiment on the other side.
Milo B. Abercrombie.
Judge of Probate Milo b. Abercrombie
said that the property of the school
worth about one-seventh of the valuations
of the county. The total values of the
county reach $3,500,000, of the institute
$3.50, 600. He said that there are about
four negroes to one white in Macon coun-
ty. He was also of the opinion that at
least four-fifths of the people of the
county are in favor of taxing the lands
Of the school, though, as rule, they do
not wish to make it as heavy as the full
rate, being willing to contribute some-
thing to the cause of the institute. Asked
II the school did not purchase largely
from the country people about Judge
Abercrombie said he did not know, as
he had not been to the school twice in
five years.
Concluding his remarks Judge Aber-
cronbie said the people wanted the taxes
for public Improvement, bridges, roads
and other public service. He was clearly
OF the opinion that the property ought not
to be exempted.
w. w. Campbell.
w w. Campbell said he was trustee
of the school and his father had been
before him. He recited the growth of the
school from a little one-room house to
its present proportions. The school began
with $1,000 from the state and now has
$500.
( The school furnishes a market for all
the farmer raises except cotton. They
raise and sell vegetables, milk and but
ter to the citizens. As he has seen it
the school teaches negroes to work, and
emphasizes the dignity of labor Last
year the school spent s125,O00 in Tuskegee
and $4,000 in the state. Lands about
the town have largely increased in value
since the location of the school. Many
individuals have been attracted to the
Town by the school and every inducement
Is offered the teachers to buy and build
their own homes. Property subject to
taxation had enhanced many thousand
dollars Some lands not contiguous to the
school, but owned by it, was given in
for taxes until sold to individuals. The
neo,le connected with the school add
eraa,ly TO the commercial prosperity of
the town. Recently lands owned by the
school outside of the immediate vicinity
+. Of the buildings were sold and others
boieht nearby. He had heard of only
one man who wanted the school to leave
the county, and the proposition to recall
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