Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-01-11

this subject is heartily approved by the
executive.
II we wish TO build permanently for
the future of our State nothing that
we can do viii be of more benefit to 1t
than the establishment of the highway
system proposed. II should not and
will not Interfere with the present an
ntai appropriations made for road I'M
provement by State aid.
The great burden upon the counties
in the matter of public roads is the
maintenance problem, and II the coun-
ties can be relieved of the annual main
tenance of $50 miles of highways 1t will
mean much in the matter of the reduc-
ton of local taxation.
In addition to this $50 miles of high
way the State should take over and
maintain that which was the old turn
pike road between Jersey City and
Newark. This road is Travelled by
people from all parta of our State and
by all persons coming from New York
into our State, and the cost of MAIN
tanning it should be borne by the State
at large. A good highway between
Jersey City and Newark is needed and
would be of great advantage TO the
State.
All these are commended to the good
Judgment and public spirit OF the Leg
islature, with the earnest hope that the
plan here suggested may be carried
out.
Railroad R~evaIunfiop.
BY Joint resolution No. 3 the Legis-
lature at its last session authorized
" - ., avail efOn IN fa-
value the railroad property of the
State.
This commission was selected with
great care, and the most skilled ant
efficient men for the duty that coule
be obtained we're obtained by the exc
cutive. They have presented a pre-
liminary report which will be before tn
Legislature.
The work was found to be very exact
ing and to require great care and large
expense. The appropriation made al
the last session for this purpose was
twenty thousand dollars, which hal
been expended and the work carried OF
to the extent of the appropriation. j
would be neither proper nor In the in
terest of the work to give details o
the result so far accomplished furthe
than that which the preliminary repor
conveys.
For many years there has been mucl
| criticism of the valuation Of railroad
property, and allegations that 1t hai
| not been fairly and fully valued. Thi
| may or may not be just, but whethe
just OF otherwise, the matter should b
put at rest and a Anal DETERMINATION
had that further discussion and con
troversy owe the taxation of railroa'
! property should end.
The executive has kept in close toucl
with the work OF the commission ar
appreciates what has been done. ant
believes that no subject before thi
Legislature is of more Importance thai
the authorization of the continuance 0
this work. 1t will cost q large sum o
money, probably 100000 in addition I
that already spent. but II the result
achieved are what 1t is believed the
will be this expenditure will be wise
and IL it settles the controversies owe
railroad taxation In this State, whethe
the revenue be increased or not, th
money will have been well expended.
The taxation Of railway propert
should not longer be allowed 10 be
| tfldltCI lOI pOlftlC6i olbtubbIDht ALI III
fairness and justness of its valuatio
should be settled at once and for q
time.
The cost OF the r~evaluation Of tn
railroads In other States has not bee
less In any case than $150, 900, and I'll
work OF the revaluation OF the railwa
property of the New York Contra
which was one some a ago by til
road itself, cost in excess OF $500, 900.
The States greatest source of reve
nue. is from railway taxation, and tn
help that ONE to u free school syi
tenn from II, which amounts to ove
two and d half million dollars a yea
should be sufficient incentive to secul
ing a just n equitable valuation {
this property for taxation.
An immediate appropriation for tn
continuance of this work should
made wen prior to the enactment
the supplemental appropriation bill
and that bin should include a sufficier
amount to carry the work until Octe
Der ,31st, 1910. and a reasonable appro
priation should be included in the al
nual appropriation bill for the yea
ending October 31st, 1911, that the con
pletion Of the work may be assured.
The preliminary report of the railwa
revaluation appraisers is cominende
to the Legislature. and your earnei
support in this great work in the II
terest Of the State is urged.
Insurance of state property.
An inquiry into the insurance carrie
upon the various properties belongin
to the State shows thai the tot;
amount, including that on the capito
Is three million eight hundred ar
ninety-two thousand seven hundre
and twenty-five dollars. This is a yer
large and, to my mind, "a very exec!
sive amount of insurance. The Sta
seldom has a loss by fire, and when
fire does occur the damage is usual
not great. The present method of eac
institution placing It's own insurance
not a wise ono. The insurance on II
property Of the State should be und,
! general supervision, and should |
placed after most careful considerable
and at the lowest possible rates. b,
sides that, the time, In my judgfnen
has come when the State should be
gin to prepare to assume the insuranc
risk on It's own property by raising
fund for that purpose. If the averae
amount OF the premiums paid per al
mum for the next ten years were tram
ferred to an insurance fund, we woul
have an abundance to make It rel
sonably safe to cease TO insure Il
States property.