Carson City daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1907-1930, 1910-11-07
Governor DickerSOn'S Part in Railroad
Assessments

Mr.. summer6ed. in his debate with Sam W. Bedford closing his
remarks. stated that Governor Diekerson had nothing to do with tn
increased valuation placed upon 1.-THE Southern Pacific lines in Nevada
A few facts will enighten him and those who may be del"ded by his
statement.
At the session OF the Board in January, 1909. Governor Dicker-
when a motion "A made by Assessor McTerney OF Eureka
County, 10 place the valuation OF the Southern Pacific inc at SlH-
600 per mile made the following statement TO TIT Board;
"1 hope. gentlemen of the B GARD, that this motion will be voted
down. Under any showing that car be made this road should pay at
least $4,000. 1t is a fair and very low estimate or the Southern Pa
cifc Company. You assess the ia rmers within ten per cen OF thu vai-
uadon of their property, and they do o make the profit OFF their
property that the railroad makes or its property. This valuation is
IS .. v,,,,.;or naced O n this road bv h. Auditor of the
Southern Pacific Company. They are getting interest O that-they
are getting paid for it. Mr.. Rya n attorney for the S P9 says it is
accumulatve for forty years or m ore the fact is that they are draw
I'M ter per cent interest n STAG, e3673 a mle.--That is a fair rate 0
interest, and there is no eason by this Board should not fix the val
uadon at something rear what the road is worth. You ought to get
a title closer o the cash valuaio n Of the road. Mr.. Ryan has failed
to supply this Board with n inf ormation as to what the los of the
road has been.
som. railroads are assessed too much to-day; they are running
at a los l believe some of them should be reduced, but where
road is making high interest m unreasonable valuation, I think this
Board should make a reasonable valuation, I think this Board should
make a reasonable assessment"
Estate Board Of Assessors Minutes, 1909, PIP. 10 and 2)
Thinking perhaps the MAORI ty OF the members OF the Board
we're o possessed OF full informal regarding the true value OF
the Southern Pacific lines, Cover nor Dickerson several weeks before
,e meeting OF the Board in Janu airy, 1910, had the Railroad Com
mission prepare s,aus"es a. 90 ~ w rvs, mailed . svsrv a. Assessor in
the state. He also published sta tements in the newspapers, prnci
paly the Nevada State Journal giving the facts and public sentiment
became aroused so much that when the Board convened at Carson
City the majority OF the Board vi in favor OF al increased valuation,
Governor Dickerson had asked that the valuation be placed at
$4,000 per mile, as he had done the yar previous. Several members
Of h Board who we're under the control of Mr.. Bakeslee, the
So,tber Pacific political agent, led by Mr.. McTerney of Eureka,
Democrat, and Mr.. Lemane OF L ander. Republican,. came to al agree
men that they would fight Dicke rson to a finish on his proposition
of making the valuation $4,000, but would vote for a valuation OF
$4,000 The battle waged for four or FIVE days and when the Gev-
ernor saw that he could not proc ur a majority in favor OF $SOOUO
one Of the Assessors who vas u porting him went to MI. Lamaire
nd asked that he nut the motion to make the valuation $4,000 and
il was carried unanimously. The four Assessors who stayed with
he Governor throughout the who lie fight we're Regain of Ormsby Ran
dau Of Lvon. Democrats; and Wyatt of Douglas, and Henrichs of
Storey, Republicans.
Throughout the whole proce edmgs Governo Dlckerson cross
.x,r;ned Mr.. Burke, the Southern Pacific Attorney, and the poor
showing made by the railroad against an increased assessment was
noticeable. The Governor had the facts and figures at his hngers
.,ds A oerusal of the minutes will show in what a masterful man
mel he conducted the fight