The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-05-22

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at 100 cents on the dollar, while
much other property was assessed at
SO cents and even less. What we
had promised the people of this state
was that we would return to the old
basis which had been in use in this
state from 1889 to 1917 where all
property, no matter what it's kind
and character, or where located, was
assessed on the same basis. This
seemed to US to be just and right and
cannot now recollect single in
stance where any citizen of the state
objected to fair and just treatment
for all classes of property. If we
had made distinction and discrim-
mated against the railroads by assess
ing their property at 100 cents on
the dollar and all other property at
rs cents, it would not only have been
unfair but would have done no good
as the railroads would undoubtedly
have gone into the courts again, as
they did in 1918, and by court action
would have compelled an equalization
Of assessments.
In 1921, the last year in which the
former administration equalized
property values in this state, farm
lands were assessed at $94G,067 $40
and all property of public utilities of
| the state, including the railroads,
was assessed at $213,922, 1886. By the
action of the new board of equaliZa
ton in 1922 and 1923, we reduced the
assessed value of farm lands $27O,-
30l ,9l7 while all the property of the
public utilities of the state, includ-
ing the railroads, telephone lines,
telegraph lines, etc. was reduced
only $55, 906,959. 1t is true that dur
ing the same period, by abolishing
J exemptions and assessing personal
property at Is cents ON the dollar
instead of so cents, there had been
an increase in the assessment of
personal property in the country of
approximately $37,402,818, but even if
We deduct this from the $27O,30l ,917
| there would still be left net reduc-
ton in farm property assessments of
$232, $4,000.
Farm Lands Cut
In view of the fact that farm lands
! had been paying more than their just
pr proportion of the taxes in recent
years, and in view Of the many ad-
verse agricultural conditions, the
legislature continued in force the
exemption of farm improvements.
Comparing the year 1922 with 1923,
state taxes on farm lands decreased
$796,319; county taxes on farm lands,
1904 ,220; and the flat hail tax, $780,
004; or total decrease in state and
county taxes on farm lands of ST.
006,543. This would surely show
disposition to treat the farmers just
ly as they should be treated since
farming is our chief industry and no
prosperity possible for any of our
citizens in town or country unless
our farmers have chance to pros
per. We had promised the farmers
such q square deal and the legisla-
ture and the Governor desired to
redeem the promise and so enacted
these laws.
We discover also that the main
railroads crossing North Dakota
claim that they are being assessed
in our state considerably more than
the real value of their property, more
than any other class Of property, and
that the North Dakota tax burden
takes larger percentage of their
gross earnings than is the case in
any other Northwestern state. 1t
might be interesting to examine the
records bearing upon this question
TO ascertain whether their claim is
correct.
The Interstate Commerce Com
mission has made tentative valua-
lions of the railroads as basis for
rate making, which valuations are on
file with the board of railroad COM
missioners. These valuations, sup
plemented by additional computations
as to rolling stock, made by the tax
commission reveal an interesting sit
uation that bears directly upon the
problem before us.
With references to the Great
Northern Railway, the valuation fig
ures of the Interstate Commerce
Commission show that the recon-
struction value Of The road, new, is
$G5 ,6Sl ,667. Its deprecated value at
this time is $56,Y44 COG Yet the
assessed value of the same property.
as returned by the state board of
equalization in 1928, is $82,267,O47,
or greater than the present value in
accordance with the Interstate Com
merce Commission figures by $685.
1922, 441.
Northern Pacific Case
In the case of the Northern Paci-
fic railway, the cost of reproduction
new is $66,512,775. The present
deprecated value is $54,653,425. Yet
the amount at which it was assessed
by the state board of equalization
in 1923 is $75,574,2 75, or greater
than the present value, in accordance
with the Interstate Commerce Com
mission figures, by $2O,92O,85O.
In the case of the 500 railway, the
cost of reproduction of the North
Dakota lines, new, is $31, 1924, 468.
It's present deprecated value is $685.
156,723. Yet the assessed value, as
returned by the state board in 1923.
is -$33,427,976, or greater than the
present value according to the In
terstate Commerce Commission fig,
ures by ss,271,2 1858.
Adding the combined assessment
Af y, l..