The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-06
HOLD A SURPRISE.
Continued. from Page one.)

Financial Side of the Telephone Bust
ness
Il do not know how familiar you
are with the Scriptures" he said. "If
you are not familiar with them. 1
counsel you to spend a few evenings
looking through the pages of the first
greatest treatise on economics in exis-
tence. Brush the dust from it, and
at least read every line of the parable
OF the talents. Its lessons apply to
every public utility man. to commits
sions, legislatures. governors and all.
The man going into another cOun-
try is the investor. He invested money
in the telephone business for several
dends except possibly one or two small
ones. He has now returned and is
demanding a reckoning. For years
there have been many stories as to
why dividends were not paid. The
man with the one talent is the tele-
phone company which has paid no
makes no provision for de-
probation, and lets his property go
below par, as it were.
1.-The great problem before US today
is the question of rates. Almost every
have soon. q request for higher rate
for telephone service"
Many concerns. have lost money be-
cause Of low rates, said the speaker.
Ignorance alone is to blame. The de-
llClL SHOu1Q tCCIukCaIy De Cdl1cO COSI
of ignorance or the expense of receiv-
ing an education Every man has paid
for his education and experience and
charged for it. The lawyer does it.
and the doctor. The telephone COM
pany has the same right"
S. T. Howe's Speech.
According to Samuel T. Howe Of the
state tax commission, who spoke be-
fore the members of the Kansas Inde-
Mall af t11a
National hotel this morning on Tax
ation," much progress has been made in
Kansas since 1907 towards tax equality.
Notwithstanding the handicap of
the general property tax" said the
speaker, great progress towards equal
ity has been made in Kansas under
central control Of assessments. The
Immediately after the organization
July 1, 1907, for the assessment OF all
property at it's actual money value has
shifted the tax hither and thither until
now the listed property is approximate.
ly equally burdened except as Unequal
ity results from the second source pre-
viously stated; but even in this regard
better.
ANY system which permits the ap-
pointment of assessors subject to a
central control Is better than any cleo
tive system for there is the possibility
of organization on business lines; but
many present day appointive systems
are not SO organized and do not bring
results that are possible with perfect
organization.
1.-The coming legislature in Kansas
will be asked to consider a measure
having provisions in substance as fol-
lows:
''First-Create the Office of county
assessor in all counties and devolve
upon such officer exclusively the duty
of assessing all property in his county.
''Second-Al1oW sufficient time for
the county assessor to assess all real
estate in the county upon actual
value thereof; one year might be con-
sidered the maximum time to embody
in the law.
assessments of real estate-new i'm
provements to be added annually; and
in cities. assessments to be as often
as local authorities may order.
"Fourth-Repeal all provisions
which now require the services of
township trustees or other persons as
deputy assessors.
"Fffth-Enact suitable measures
for the employment OF needed help in
the work OF the county assessor; he
should be given authority to employ
assistants to work under his direc-
tions. the total compensation to such
assistants to be reasonably limited by
statute.
''Sixth-Make the county board of
equalization an appellate board to hear
and decide complaints Of individuals
who feel aggrieved."
Speakers This Afternoon.
The speakers At this afternoons ses-
sion were: John NJ. Kinkel, member
public utilities commissions: Arthur
Capper. governor-elect and Fred b
MacKinnon, secretary Of the National
Independent Telephone association
Genial Mac" as he Is known by the
Kansas phone men with whom he wal
formerly associated.
A number of the members were OF
the opinion today that T. L. Youmans
| OF Osawatomie will be reelected
| president of the association at the
business session Thursday morning.
| A photograph OF the delegates wal
taken at noon today