The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-10
MAY BE SLUMP IN
 TAXABLE VALUES Conditions for Several Months Have Affected Business RAILROADS SUFFER | MOST Last Year Was Banner Year In Geor- gia, But Indications Point To Re-
 duction of Values In Near
 ly All Business.
RAILROADS SUFFER l MOST

Atlanta, May 9.-(Special)-If corpora ton tax returns furnish any indication, it would appear that Georgia tax values are going to show something of a slump this year. However, that is not an unus- ual thing following a financial upheaval, and on the contrary it would be rather remarkable if tax values on any class of property should show an increase over those of last year
 Last year was the banner year in the history of Georgia tax returns when near ly $60,0O0,000 of property values were add ed to those of the year before. Nearly half of the increase came from the cor porations alone. Then came the panic. As result rather a decrease than an in- crease is expected this year. Corporation values are dropping off. and it is consd- cred beyond question that farm values will do the same thing. About the only thing expected to hold up in value is city real estate, and this is usually as the re- suit of official tax assessors putting their own values upon it.
 Of the large railroad systems whose re- turns have been received at the office of
 
 tral of Georgia show a falling off of 10 per cent or s2,OOOOO0 off last years total of s20,00O, GOO. The Seaboard Air Line shows a reduction of nearly 20 per cent, or $2,9OO,- 900 off SIP, 100000. Returns of one or two street railway systems and number of other corporations have been cut nearly half in two as compared with last year, although last years values were fixed as the result of arbitrations, and represent totals nearly 30 per cent below the assess ments put upon the properties by the tax Ing official. the comptroller general. About the only corporations whose returns are up to those of last year are number of little ones which have not felt much ef- feet of the depression, or which may per haps hesitate at the possible expense of another arbitration
 The fear is expressed that there will be similar falling off in valuation of other lines of property, or at least that there will be no increase over last year The small taxpayer may not as a rule make reduction in the valuation of his property unless there is some pretty good reason for it; but the conditions are such this year that anything like an increase is not to be expected.
 Cause of Big Fire.
 Atlanta's $1,OOO,O00 conhagration has been laid in part to lack of water press ure. The discussion has brought prom- nently to the front the need for the pro- posed $500, ,000 bond issue to improve and make effective the water works sys- tenn.
 That there was an absence of pressure when the fire first began seems undoubt- ed, and this perhaps, aided the fire in making such headway. But the pressure indicator shows that about the time the fire reached it's height the full fire pressure was on. The fire was then so fierce that water seemed to have little ef- feet, and attention had to be turned to saving neighboring structures.
 Notwithstanding the fact that the de- partment finally got the full fire pressure, 1t was apparent that 1t was not getting all the water it could use. The tower hose at times seemed useless; it would scarcely throw a stream into a third-story window.
 It is the opinion of Mayor Joyner, for ner fire chief. and of General Manager Park Underwood of the water works system that the trouble lies in the water mains in the principal sections of the city. They are comparatively small and