The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-02-02
Introduces Another Resolution,
Despite Fact That First One
Was SmOtflered.
SAYS RAILROADS ARE
ESCAPING TAXATION
Think That Necessity of a State
Tax to Cover Deficit Is
Still Remote.
GTrom d stan Correspondent.

TRENTON. Feb. 2.-Assemblyman
William P. Martin, of Essex, in the
House today offered a substitute for
Investigation of the State Board of AS
SCISSORS and their work. The judiciary
committee efused to port his first
resolution. In giving out the new
measure the New Idea leader ripped
up his party and assailed Governor
Forts attempt to divert from the
schools their taxes.
In a statement to an EVENING
STAR correspondent he aid
Railroad and canal property was as
sessed in 1884 at $3.50, 600, 600, and in 1903,
1912, 900. 900, the increase being about
45 per cent. Main stem. personally and
franchises were assessed in 1884, $155,-
900, 900 and in 1908, 5000, 600, 600, the in
crease being only SO per cent.
Second class railroad realty was as
sessed In 1854, $37, 900, 0O0, and in 1908,
$4,000, 900; increase 100 per cent.
The State Board of Assessors is en-
titled to very little, if any, credit for
this increase in the assessment of sec
ond-class realty, as under the Perkins
act of 1906 second-class realty was as
sessed by he local assessors until the
act was declared unconstitutional.
$50 Per Cent. Increase.
'These local assessors increased the
assessment to a very large extent. The
assessment of all property of div
uals In 1884 was S525, 900, 900 and In 1908
1,S0o, 900, 900; increase over $50 per cent
THUS it appears that the increase or
assessment of main stem personally n
franchise properties has been very
slight, while that of all other property
has been very large. Without any eX~
PLANTATION of this discrepancy in in
crease, there is sufficient evidence here
to make it worth while to investigate
the methods of assessing main stem,
personality and franchises of railroad
and canal property.
1.-THE executive now brings to the at
tention of the Legislature an impend-
ing deficiency of $3.50, 900. and states
the there are two methods of getting
this money-O by general tax of the
people, the other (2) by taking it from
the school funds. The taking of money
from the school funds known as the
school fund plan" is in effect the same
as the direct tax, because whatever is
taken from the school funds must be
made up by direct local taxes on the
property of the individual, other han
railroad and canal companies.
Railroad Escaping Taxes.
'I am not satisfied that we have yet
reached the necessity of making this
choice. We should first make certain
tina the state is getting all of the
money to which 1t is entitled under the
existing law. 1t is no new thing to
learn that the railroads are escaping
taxation.
LAS Governor Stokes pointed out in
his annual message in 1906, they had
been escaping taxation of ? 1000, 900 per
tanned 81, 000, 900 which would rave been
paid to the State if the Perkins law
were in effect.
LAS Republicans we must also face
the fact that our last State platform
pledged that we would continue the
policy of deyoting this money to
schools, thus relieving the taxpayers to
that extent. We cannot afford to break
this promise.
ANY legislation to raise this def
cheney must provide for at least as
much money for the school funds from
railroad taxes as now goes to that fund.
/ am in favor of a thorough investiga-
ton SO as to ascertain whether the
railroads or the people shall pay the
increased expenses of the State"