The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1912-11-06
TAXATION or Pusllc
SERVICE CORPORATIONS.


cOnSluefuDle uttentlOn JUST HOW.
Justus Goebel. brother OF Ken.
tucky's martyred governor. is max
ing a fight to have the ideas which
were fathered by his brother. twelve
years agJ-that of making the cor
porations bear the chief burden of
axation-carried into effect now.
Mr.. Goebel has written an open let
ter to Gov. McCrearv. the other
state officials and the people at
large. setting forth his views about
the matter. Gov. McCreary has also
issued n statement in regard to the
matter. both of which are given be
low:
October 3lst. 1919.
To His Excellency. Governor James b
McCreary: to all Administrative and
Legislative of1cers of the State and
to all citizens Of the Commonwealth
who are interested In equal and uni
form taxation:
Tell my friends to be brave and
fearless and loyal to the great com
mon people"
These last words Of my assassinated
brother. william Goebel. have a sacred
significance to me and when In Sep
TENDER. 1909. again commenced tc
take an active interest In our States
affairs. It was not to gain political IA
vor, for there 10 no ONCE I would
have: but II was with hope and con.
fidence that my work would. during
the administration Of the present state
officers, open up an opportunity for
Kentucky to take up William Goebel's
work where the assassin's bullet had
interrupted 1t. and In that event every
department of our government would
give thereto by voice and action most
positive. vigorous and loyal support.
Relief Must Come.
Necessity for action In the interest
Of the people has grown as years have
passed until 1t has developed into what
Is to-day a crying shame and from
which relief must come.
Too long. altogether too long. has
there been unjust discrimination
against the people. unjust and burden
some taxation upon the people. as
compared with what has been required
to be paid by the big corporations of
our State. Corporation lawyers have
boastingly said the death Of William
Goebel was a beneft to the corpora
lions. II this was true. the question
il. how much longer shall the people
be held In bondage because Of his
death?
God knows the corporations now
suing the State have been able to pro-
cure land the word procure is used
immunity long enough from
paying their Just share OF the taxes.
A hundred million dollar increase
in the value Of corporation property
for taxation opens q new era In the
States affairs, and has awakened the
people, and brought them to realiza-
ton of what has been done to them.
and there will be a further awaken
Ing. which will correct abuses equally
as great as unequal taxation. A true
awakening of the people has come.
and henceforth every man who would
hold ONCE must be progressive. and
no imitation will satisfy them; they
will sweep aside and into oblivion as
old chaff any man who hesitates or
dares stand in the way OF betterment
Of conditions and improvement in ev-
cry way for the whole people.
Gross differentiation.
No one doubts, had William Goe-
bel been permitted to live. that which
was done last month by the Board OF
and Assessment would have
been done more than a decade ago, !
and to-day. instead Of the large cor
porations fighting In the courts and
by sinister methods, endeavoring %
unjust and unequal taxa.
lion. to throttle the action OF this
State Taxing Board. the first to act full.
~ In the interest Of the people. they
would long ago have been paying into
The State. county and city treasures
heir Just rYopo-t.ac 9: taxes.
1t Is very evident that In Ken
lucky, as in other States. big corpora
lions Will never pay q cent more of
taxes than they are made to pay.
Take the case Of the c. & o. X. II.
In 1911 this road. ON its entire sys
tenn in Kentucky. paid taxes on a to-
tai valuation of only $9,313.270. where
Is the street railway company OF the
city Of Louisville was made to pay on
! valuation Of S10.sO0. 900. The C. &
D. X. r. In 1904 paid taxes on a fran.
,hise valuation Of only S2.171.lSs. and
N 1911 on = valuation Of only S2.7t3..
$50. whereas the Board found their
1912 assessment should be s1s.7ss.63O |
The c.. N o. 4 T. p. X. r. in 1901
paid taxes on a franchise valuation
Of only s3.1lO.1s7. and In 1911 on q
valuation of only $3.55s.320. whereas
The Board found their 1912 assessment
should be S10.674.2O0. The l. c. In
1901 paid taxes on a franchise yalua' |
lion Of only $l.9s9.S70. and In 1911 on
a valuation of only $4.5l0.32O. where
as the Board found their 1912 assess
ment should be sl4.7%6.s57. The l.. 4
N. r. r. in 1901 paid taxes on a fran
chise valuation OF only S6.504.S7s. and
In 1911 on a valuation OF only $ll.'
sos. 200. whereas the Board found