Omaha daily bee., 1907-03-18
RAILROADS ROASTING OMAHA
Pluggers ssnt Out in State 10 Make
Sentiment Against Metropolis
UNION PACIFIC AGENTS At GRAND ISLAND
Effort to Induce Executive Committee
of Commercial Club 90 Take stand
Against Terminal Tax
Bill Fails.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb., March 11.-(spe-
cal. )-One Of the warmest meetings ever
held by the executive committee OF the
Commercial club was that of last evening
when, clearly, an EFFORT was made to force
a resolution opposed to terminal taxation
Assistant Tax Commissioner Swingey OF
the Union Pacific was sent out from Omaha
the night previous to secure the action ana
aside from the members of the executive
committee about half dozen other cit-
gems we're called in, including Austin Tay-
lor division superintendent OF the Union
Pacific: j. II. woolley. attorney for the
ST. Joseph a Grand Island; r. r. Horth.
attorney for the Union Pacific; County
Treasurer King, County Attorney Mayer
and several others.
Chairman Ryan opened the meeting by
calling upon Mr. Swngley for an explana-
ton Of the terminal tax bill and Its effect
upon this county Mr. Swingley referred TO
Mr.. Ackerman, the local assessor, who gave
the figures OF present railroad values
taxed for municipal purposes, and said he
could not see where this city could gain
] by terminal taxation, II. indeed, 1t did not
lose. Mr. swingley thereupon addressed
measure Omaha wants more taxes out
of the railroads and that, therefore, II
such a bill becomes operative, some one
/ would have to lose Il would be the west
ern part OF the state which would go into
| the Omaha sponge As far as Hall county
| is concerned, II would either gain very
slightly or II would not be materially ar
fected. Now, the papers made great
| howl about the pledges made In the repup-
| lican platform. There is no pledge In the
state platform for terminal taxation. The
words were not used in that platform, but
the language is that the railroads are to
be taxed on their property for municipal
purposes like all other property in the
cities This insist they are now doing"
Treasurer King was called upon for an
estimate and declared that he had under
stood from the committee in charge Of the
legislation and from Senator Ashton that
this county would not suffer. but would
gain.
False Statement Reiterated.
Mr.. Horth suggested that the value OF
the terminals. alleged by The Bee to be
100000, were distributed out over the
mileage and If taxed in Omaha would be
taken out not only in the cities, but IN
townships having township organization
| a. r. bueCnleIt bStItNulg cA NAiS NAS'f
asked Mr. swingley II It were not true
that, there being approximately $50 miles
of the road in the cities and villages In
Hall county, and approximately twenty
Ave miles through townships, twenty-five
parts of the terminal property distributed
along the line escaped municipal taxation
in this county while only 3So parts did not
so escape.
Attorney Horth in answer protested that
townships levy a similar tax to the munich
pal tax. The secretary here called for the
comparative levies and they were shown to
be from 8 to 8 mills in the townships and
10 in this city. The point the latter de-
sired to make was that, IN case OF hre
or a need Of police protection, the road here
would not send to the township hall for
such protection and that for such expenses
even here, as he saw II, the road escaped
a large portion OF levy, the difference be-
tween and 10 mills.
Attorney Woolley Of the St. Joseph &
Grand Island interposed that the purpose
of the meeting was to get an expression OF
the people Of this city for the benefit OF
the representatives to the legislature, espe.
cially Representatives White and Scudder
They had been told, he understood, that
Hall county was not for the bill, but they
had signed the pledge and did not see theil
way clear to violate it unless some express
sion should be secured.
The discussion was reopened by Mr.. Ack-
erman, who declared that, as assessor he
could not assess the railroad property-hC
did not know how, and neither did any
other assessor to get at the values.
County Attorney Mayer, when called
upon, asserted that the Union Pacific ir
this county paid 15 per cent OF the county
taxes, but of municipal taxes it paid g
much less per cent. Mr.. Swingley took issue
J. with him upon this proposition and rather
heated colloquy took place, Mr.. Swingley
challenging Mr. Mayer as to how he would
assess real estate. Mr.. Mayer outlined the
manner of assessment under the proposed
bill, Mr.. Swingley falling in an effort tC
trap him on the value Of franchises.
Plea for Union Pacinc.
S. NJ. Wolbach made a strong plea ir
. favor Of the Union Pacific. 1t was what
had made Grand Island, and had made
him and had made the county attorney,
statement the latter took decided exception
TO. Without It Grand Island would be ver1
much like aida, mere station.
In opposition to Mr.. Woouey's reques
for immediate action, objection was mad,
that the committee should not put itself il
the light OF voicing the interests of the en-
tire community Mr.. swingley urged tina
delay until Monday evening might be to,
late, the bill might be passed on Monday
Mr.. Buechler, replying to Mr.. Wolbach
declared that he shared with that gentle
' man desire to work for the best interest
3 OF Grand Island, and believed he was doinI
/ so when he urged a firm stand for ever,
3 pledge made toward railroad regulation
! which, once broken. might be broken Il
5 other respects. and he was not sure bu
5 that this was the plan and the purpose O
> the bitter fight on terminal taxation. IL
$ introduced the following and moved it
y adoption:
Z Resolved, That any action involving a re
quest, direct or Implied, OF the members o
, the legislature to violate promises made L
g the entire people Of the state Is OF such i'm
portancs that, at least, IL ought to be re
ferrGd to the entire membership Of IN
club and should not be taken up by a com
Q mittee OF seven Of its members
d Chairman Ryan expressed regret tina
{ anyone should introduce politics into tn
d affairs Of the club
), The secretary replied that he shared 1
y that regret, but dad not see how it could b
n avoided If any action were taken at al
r and the motion 70 adopt the resolution