Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-03
Nebraska
STATE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT
First Session Of the New Body Will
Be Held Today.
If HAS BIG PROBLEMS TO SOLVE
DimcuIty Of Keeping Campaign
Pledges ~ TO Assessments and
Securing samcient Revenue
Are Now Apparent
From A staff CorresponaAnt)/

,NA ~ y 1880
LINCOLN. May 2-tSpecial)-The State
Board OF Assessment will meet tomorrow
to begin the valuation of railroad property
for taxation purposes. II Is likely IL will
be a week or two before the board gets
down to real work, as three of the mem
beers are new to the business and It will
take some time for them TO get onto the
ropes.
The new members are Governor Shsllen-
berger. Land Commissioner Cowles and
Auditor Barton. Mr.. Barton is now in
Chicago looking after some insurance com
I panies and will not be here when the
board organizes tomorrow.
The board will re-elect Chris Schavland
for its secretary. and by virtue of his po-
sition tine governor is ex-officio chairman.
Considerable interest attaches to this
particular board and its final action in
the matter Of the assessment of railroad
property. During the campaign the dem
ocratic state committee got out thousands
of circulars to show the farmers their
lana was assessed too high compared with
the assessment of railroad property, and
the promise was made to increase rail-
road values and decrease land values. In
view Of this promise on the part of the
democrats, State Treasurer Brian and Sec
rotary Of State Junkin announced right
after election they would endorse any
raise the governor saw fit to make to the
valuation of railroad property and that
they intended to permit him to go ahead
unhindered in an effort to keep his prom
Uses.
These two officers know that If rail-
road values are increased very much
freight rates are liable to go up accord
ingly, and IL either the railroad or land
values are decreased then comes a de-
fiCiency in the state governments
finances, because the state cannot get
along with any less revenue as it is man
ased at present.
stains of Supreme Court Case.
Democrats who come to Lincoln do not
seem to be worried about candidates for
supreme Judge. They are Of the opinion
that Tom Allen is strong enough to elm
mate all but three candidates, so II the
court holds the non-partisan judiciary is
q, valid the democratic vote will not be
divided. Others who are looking on, how
ever. are OF the opinion that Mr.. Allen
win not be able to handle the situation.
Judge Dean and Judge Oldham (by virtue
Of Governor ShsllenbergerI will both run,
and If the Shallenberger judges are knocked
out In the court then Judge Sullivan may
be a candidate. That is thtee and there is
a mighty bunch in the bushes which Mr..
Allen will have to lariat to keep out OF
the running.
Judge Francis @. Hamer of Kearney Is
the latest TO get in the game. The judge
was here last week and he has started out
his petitions. and he expects TO secure his
5000 signatures in a little while. Judge
Hamer served two terms as district judge
l. 49,. u.af,l, a,,A ..HKofetnf
Supreme court meets tomorrow. and 1t is
probable before the adjournment for the
week the court will hand down its decision
in the case wherein Governor Shallenberg-
er's Judges are trying to Gust Governor
Sheldon's judges. The case was argued
some weeks ago.
NO-LIcense Advocates Busy.
The no license advocates in Lincoln had
another big day today. Former Governor
Hoch of Kansas spoke both in the after
noon and night at the Auditorium. in the
afternoon TO men only. and on both occa-
sions the house was full. He will also re-
main and speak tomorrow night when
will wind I'd the campaign.
For several nights the no license sdvo.
Gates have been holding street meetings
and last night a number of wagons were
out suitably decorated with banners, eacr
holding a number of men and women sing
ers and takers.
The advocates of $50 closing have been
taking things very calmly and are making
no outward demonstration, but they ex-
pect to win. while the no license people say
they are certain to win.
Mayor Brown returned yesterday from
Illinois, where he has been to attend the
funeral OF a relative. and he has Jumped
tate tho o. n for pnb Malone the dame.
cratic candidate for mayor. More interest
attaches to the excise rules than to the
fight for city offices.