Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-10-23

Of things which were Inaugural tee
when the legislature undertook 10 pro-
vide the machinery so tha, there would
really be at assessment Of actual value
of the property. The first year or two
the change was go surprising and
shocking that the local officials could
not or would NOT adjust themselves
10 il. Now they are coming grad
TALLY around to accep, the fact that
assessments are to be higher and no
mistake and that the real place for de-
Gliding on how much tax shall De col
iectej Is in the councils where tax
ieFies are fixed rather than where as
sessments are made. The returns when
footed up snow that owners of moneys
and credits have returned for tax
alton this personal property valued at
1870 1000, 600 as against $3.50 90 900 last
year. The owners will pay nearly a
million and half each year in taxes.
1nasmuch a. owners of this kind of
properly arc permitted 10 deduct from
what they have any debts they may
owe-and this is the only kind of prop
erty where this can be done-it is esti-
mated by state officials in a position
10 know that not third Of the
moneys anu credits" is actually as
sessed for taxation.
4 The actual aggregate of taxes paid
In Iowa this year, plus other sources
I of income to De used for public pur-
poses. will be in excess OF $50. 100000.
This is used for all public functions.
! The city Of Des Moines is moving
rapidly in the direction of vote on a
franchise for the street car company.
The franchise will carry, of course.
The cards have been well played by
the street car company. or rather by
the bondhoiders who own what there Is
Of the company. These bondholders
are spectators, not railroad men nor
investors nor city builders, who put
their money into the scheme a good
many years ago on chance OF getting
out mucn or losing little. They are
going to win. If the inside story could
be written, and anybody dared to print
| it. OF how the people Of Des Moines
were whipped around to the point OF
being ready to vote bIindIy for any
kind Of franchise 1t would make an
/ interesting chapter in American politi-
cal life. II will be recalled that when
! the bondhc,ders found themselves with
the street car line on their hands some
years ago they sent out a man VINO
thought he could beat Des Moines by
the hludgeoning method and he started
out to run the street car system with
buil-wnip. He got a little way with
mis- program and it was seen that a
crisis was approaching which threat
ened the whole project. Then mar
Of different type was hired to dc
the job and in a different way. He wa.
chosen as diplomat He has proved
to be great fixer. He got the street
car employees on his side. He en-.
listed with him some of the newspaper
boys who deal in publicity. He Joined
everything n sight. He was charita-
BILE. He has been generous and free
handed. Hs enlisted the booster or
J CARNATIONS. Finally he captured thu
city administration. Diplomacy Of ths
German type has proved more effective
than the threat Of dire punishment
Des Moines has been captured, bod,
and soul. and 80 per cent Of those
whose votes will give franchise tina,
J can be cashed in on the Chicago mar.
ket for . vast sum will never know
just what is In the franchise nor VIII,
tho hnal opposition was confined in q
} few trenches where the last ditcheri
will hold QUO even on election day.