Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-08

are established. Two plans are suggested:
Either the enactment Of n law providing
for the establishment OF mutual savings
banks with the privilege OF having branches
In various parts Of the state. or a law
authorizing and providing for the establish
ment in commercial banks Of a savings
department, but requiring the business to
be kept separate and distinct.
That legislation be enacted providing for
publicity OF county funds and the interest
paid thereon.
Favoring a law forfeiting principal as
well as interest where usury is charged.
ravoring an amendment to the state con-
stitution for the increase of the salaries
OF state officers.
Transferring correspondence showing the
FEDERAL government intends to abandon the
indian school at Geneva and asking the
legislature determine whether the state
wants to make use OF the property.
Inc recommendation Of the governor on
otner Important topics are as follows:
Taxation.
The State Board of Equalization under
TINS administration has endeavored. so far
as II was possible, to make the assessment
OF property uniform, so that each cIass 30
property should bear its just proportion or
the burdens OF taxation.
10 this end, the Union Pacific railroad
property, in 1907, was increased % per cent
Increases were made on other railroad
property. Altogether the assessed value of
railroad property in 1907 and 1905 was in.
creased by the board, So, 654,41,
ANY one who has given the question of
,slroad assessment much consideration, and
mas ismlIiarized himself with the facts.
must realize that the railroad companIes
are comparatively speaking. not eouitably
assessed. Some of the roads whose earn
lngs are small are probably assessed at a
hlsher value than some OF the other and
sreater railroads whose earnings are much
larger. However, these Inequalities must
necessarily continue to exist until the rail-
road companies fail out with each other.
At present there is an apparent disposition
among the railroad companies to stand to-
gether and not give information concerning
another company that would be helpful to
the Board of Equalization.
In 1907 the lands OF this state were asses
sed at approximately Sl46, 10000. an increase
OF S65, 7O0,O0. This increase was brought
about from the fact that lands had not been
assessed since the year 1901, and because
since that time there has been a great in
crease in the value OF lands throughout the
state.
Difference in Valuation.
When the assessment Of lands was re-
turned to the State Board OF Equalization,
this year, 1t was apparent that county
assessors had not used the same measure
OF value. The board endeavored to correct
that condition and perform Its duty as the
law requires.
II is the duty Of the Board of Equalization
to eQualiEe all classes of property SO that
the burden OF taxation may be equally
shared.
II 1t Is proposed in this legislature to
make any amendments to the revenue law
pertaining to the power of the Board OF
Equalization In this particular, l earnestly
request that you give the matter careful
consideration before action is taken.
The first essential in a Just system OF
taxation is to provide means for a uniform
assessment. No class OF tax payers will
complain OF their assessment IL the property