Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1915-04-23
RAILROADS Ane WILLING
10 PAY SNARE OF TAKES

Santa Fe-That the railroads OPP
Grating in New Mexico are willing to
stand the proposed $l0,000,000 in
crease in the valuation Of their prop.
erty for taxation purposes, provided
other classes of property are ASSESS
ed upon a reaonable basis. was the
information laid before the state tax
commission at its session at Santa
Fe this week.
Representatives of practically all
the state roads, Us well as other large
interests, were present when the com
mission was called to order by Char
man John Poe of Roswell and the
session was good-natured and har-
monious throughout.
Eve are not seeking any the best
Of it," said S. p. Bledsoc of Chicago,
assistant general solicitor of the AT
Gibson, Topeka 4 Santa Fe.
1--WE are willing to pay our share,
and even n little more" was the at
titude of Thomas p. Ncwkirk of Chi
cago, representing the Chicago. Rock
Island 4 Pacific, while II. b. Hard
ing Of III Paso, representative of the
III Paso & Southwestern system. de-
clared his company would offer no
objection to the general Increase in
the valuation of its property ~ pro
posed by the commission.
G. g. Tunnel, general tax com
missioner of the Santa Fe railroad
Joined with Mr.. Bledsoe in offering
the commission the services of +. T.
Cartridge of Topeka. tax commission
or of the railroad. They also offered
tn furnish the commission with the
results of the investigation conduct
I'd in 1913, and which. according to
Mr.. Bledsoe. showed that at least
% per cent of the real estate within
the state was not on the tax rolls.
Mr.. Bledsoe suggested that the com
mission employ competent men TO 90
into every county and find the prop
crty which was thus escaping assess
ment. to the end that it might be
made TO bear its due proportion of
the public burden. The Santa Fe
representative also pointed out that
the commission was not complying
with the law. in that the valuations
fixed at the March meeting were IN
n minimum basis. instead Of the act
nnl value of the property. rs requir-
ed by the statute creating the com
mission.
Mr.. Newkirk. for the Rock Island.
said that the net earnings of his
company in New Mexico last year
were only S3l 900. whereas the com
pany paid Sal 900 taxes. lie de-
clared the Rock Island lines were
actually worth not to exceed 10000
per mile. while the board has fixed
the valuation at $4,000 per mile.
Mr.. Newkirk said the Rock Island
company has paid all the school tax
es in the districts along its lines and
is now called upon TO pay school tax
es for districts of the line.
Mr.. Harding, for the ri Paso Il
Southwestern company. complained
that the railroads for long time
have been paying n larger share of
the taxes than any other class of
property.
Thomas n. Wilkerson, city attor-
ney of Albuquerque, appeared before
the commission in support of n raise
from 100000 to $1,000. 900 of the
valuation of the Santa Fc company
shops and terminals in that city.
Charles F. Wade, one of the re-
ccivers of the American Lumber COM
pnny, which has properties in Bema-
lille, Valencia and Mckinley coun-
ties. said that the company would
gladly sell it, holdings IN the three
counties for 100000. though they
are assessed at S014.00O.
e. f.. Jcwctt. tax commissioner of
the Santa Fe coast lines. aud Avery
Turner, vice president of the Santa
Fe lines in Texas, were present at the
and will probably address
The commission. as will also repre-
>entaiives of the express and sleep
ing ear companie.