Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1907-06-20
Railroad and Telegraph Taxes.

Railroad and Telegraph Taxes.
The Oshkosh Northwestern, one of
the btterest and most tireless papers
of the state in opposition to LaFollette
and the measures he advocated, had
among other editorials last week one on
railroad and telegraph taxation. In
citing, with apparent pleasure, the gain
to the state through the advalorem sys-
TEN and the conscientious integrity of
the state tax commission, the Oshkosh
paper sacrificed marliness in not admit
ting that the advalorem system was
La Toilette idea and perfected through
his efforts more than of any other one
mans, that the creation OF tax COM
mission was another idea Of La Fol-
lette's. and that he single-handed APP
pointed the men comprising said commits
sion, of whom the Northwestern speaks
in such fiattering terms Credit and con-
session is especially due from such
source, and why does the Northwestern
belittle the fraternity by this seemingly
wilful neglect? Here is the editorial:
1.-THE state tax commission has made
substantial increase in the assess
ment of railroads of Wisconsin, by add
ing about $l8, 000, 900 to the valuation
placed on this class Of property last
year for taxation purposes. Last year
the total valuation of all railroads in
the state was placed at 1923, l85, 900,
while according to the figures of the
tax commission the total assessed valu-
alton for this year will be $255, 855, 0OO
This in turn will increase the taxes of
these corporations to the extent OF
about 500, 900 for the present year. In
other words, where the state railroads
paid some 81, 700, 237 in taxes last year,
this year, under the new assessment
they will be required to pay about 49,
80l TAO.
"Another thing done by the state tax
commission this year is Of even more
general interest. 1t has completed an
appraisal of the telegraph property of
the state for taxation purposes, fixing
the valuation of this class Of property at
81 900, 900. This is the first time the
property of the telegraph companies in
this state has been assessed under the
advaorcm system, and it marks dis
tinct ard important change from the
old system. Formerly the railroads, the
same as the telegraph companies, were
taxed through a system of license fees
adjusted according to the receipts of
these corporations, and when the rail-
roads were placed on an advalorem bas-
is it was understood that the telegraph
companies would be brought under the
same system as soon as possible. This
has now been accomplished by the ac-
ton of the state commission, and under
this plan the telegraph companies will
this year pay about $4,000 additional
taxes over the amount paid last year
under the license fee system.
Gradually the tax reform instituted
in this state several years ago is being
worked out in manner that is most
satisfactory. The law enacted for this
purpose is recognized as model of its
kind and although it may have defects.
none of serious proportions has yet been
discovered. One thing that has largely
helped in the satisfactory application of
the new law has been the superior abil-
ty and conscientious integrity of the
members of the state tax commission.
The state has been indeed fortunate in
the high character and exceptional abil-
ity of the men who have been chosen
for this important office.