Profs. Cooley And Adams

In connection with the report froiu ï-ansing tbat the iteinized sehedule book of rallroad property had disappeared froiu the room of the tax comïnission at the capítol, comes the report also that last Sunday Gov. Bliss gave his consent for tlie employment, by the attorney general, of experts to inake another appraisement of the railroad properties of the state and it may appear as has been frequently charged that the valuation used by the tax commission was by far too low, much lower than the expert appraisement placed it. Prof. Cooley, ■vho made the valuation of the physIcai properties of the railways for Gov. Pingree, this morning, aald that it was correct as reported that he has been employed to make this new appralsement Prof. H. C. Adams, who valued the franchise and Expert Walker, wliom the tax commission relied upon largely for its expert Information as to railroad values, -vvill assist him. A conference Jias already been held at which inforination was giren tending 10 establish the fact that railroad properties have been greatly undena lued by the tax mission. It is evident that Attorney General lïlair does not propose to lie down even if two of the tax commissioners have, in a measnre, glven the state's case away, but that he wlll get statistie's of his own upon whieh to base his conten tions in the big tight. WJt) the new apptaisemeat of raiiroad proporties to be made by Profs. Cooley properties to be made by Profs. Cooley and Adama and Expert Walker the attorney general will have later and probably more accurate statistics than were at the comiuaud of the tax commissioners. It is also reported in this connection that the law will be looked up to delermine if the auditor general be not legally the custodian of the books and papers of the tax commission. The auditor general is the nominal defendant i nthe case brought by the raiiroad companies to set ashU' the assesment of raiiroad properties, and under the act creating the tax eommission he is the nominal custodian of the books and papers of the tax commissioners, so that he has an interest in the acts of commissioners in making affidavits contrary to the interests of the state and iu permitting the data of the commission in regard to the valuation of the raiiroad properties to become accidentally lost. Auditor Powers expressed himself unreservedly as being willing to unite with the attorney-general in a demand for the resignation or removal of Tax Commissioners Sayre and Freeman, but no action will be taken until Gov. Hliss returns to the gtate from his Fourth of July vlslt to Bouckville, N. Y.