Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-02-22

offered to the Interstate commerct
commission by the railroads and t
pay the expense OF meeting the argu.
ments and evidence of the railroads;
or, secondly make an appropriation OF
500, 600 to $125,000 to make a valua-
tion of the railroads in Iowa to be used
as an offset to the figures introduced by
the railroads. Minnesota, at an ex-
pense of $4,000 valued all her rail-
roads several years ago and has kept
it up to date. Wisconsin has valued
her railroads; so has Michigan, South
Dakota and Nebraska. Texas valued
hers twenty years ago. California Is
now valuing hers. Washington and
Oregon have valued all their railroads
New Jersey fixed value Of her rail-
roads when Wilson was governor OF
that state. The supreme court OF the
United States has declared that the
basis of all computations as to the
reasonableness of rates should be the
fair value of the property devoted to
The public service.
Business Principles Demanded.
There is not a retail, wholesale, or
other business Of any consequence IN
this state that does nor make an IN
ventory of its property every year
There has not been made in the past
fifty years any inventory of the railroad
property. To make this will require
aScertaining real estate values adjoin-
ing railroad rights of way, ascertaining
the amount of equipment, buildings
etc. This will cost from SO TO So per
mile judging by the experience of other
states.
For one thing, this valuation would
be of help to the Legislators in that 1t
would enable them to reach a sane and
intelligent conclusion as to whether
the cent fare for passengers is reas-
enable. A statement has recently been
made that Governor Hughes vetoed the
. cent passenger rate bill in New York.
This is correct; but later Mr.. Hughes
as a member of the supreme court OF
the United States, sustained the cent
passenger law of Minnesota. Why? In
one case there was elaborate investi-
CATION and proof in the other case no
investigation. do not know whether
our passenger rates are too high or
too low. / do Know this Is an incon-
trover lille fact that you can not in
telligently decide that question until
you have the facts before you.
The state railroad commission could
use this check. or valuation TO help de-
termine whether or not state freight
rates are reasonable.
1--WE could use so much of it as was
ompleted to assist in the present case
before the interstate commission to
Offset the figures that are going TO be
introduced by the railroads as TO the
values Of their properties.
TT would also be of assistance in
determining the reasonableness OF
taxes OF Iowa railroads. There should
be a valuation for taxation purposes.
Michigan did that ten years ago.
Issue Is Great.
"IF the movement now to make
general advance in passenger and
freight rates is successful If there is
a 10 per cent advance in your freight
rates. state and interstate. and If there
is a half cent advance in passenger
rates state and Interstate it will cost
Iowa in the neighborhood of twelve
million dollars twelve million dol
lars in one bulk, but twelve million dol
lars annually, or per cent on $780,
060. 600.
In the whole history of Iowa there
has been no issue before the general
Assem- bly,. or before the people. as i'm
portant as this issue. measured by the
cold standard of dollars and cents.
There have been other issues OF i'm
portance involving moral and social
Questions. but so far as money Is con-
cerned this is the most important the
legislature has ever had to consider.
The railroad commission does not