The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-30
FRIGHTENING PROSPECTS.
A RETURNED COMMITTEEMAN TALKS
OF DOUBLE TAXATION.
Maj. Mike Burke States Why he consid-
ers Relief Very Probable, and De-
tails Amendments Asked For.

Mai. Mike Burke returned from Nashville
yesterday.
The Major was q member Of the Mer'
chants Exchange Committee sent up 10
reason with the legislators against the OPP
| bressive double tax, to the end that relief
| might be granted and the shackles removed
from Tennessee in her race for development
and prosperity.
On Tuesday last a former committee sent
up from the same representative body for
the same purpose reported progress TO a
called meeting Of the exchange. As a
matter Of fact, the progress TO be reported
was trifing. About all Of that article worth
mentioning was the progress Of the COM
mittee to the capital and a disconsolate
progress back home. Not 10 be thus sat
upon without another effort, the exchange
sent q second committee up, OF which Maj.
Burke was n member.
An ArrEAL reporter met tho Major soon
after his return aud asked him concerning
the state OF the crusade against the double
tax.
MATTERS are more hopeful now" he re-
piled. The facts and logical deductions
thercfrom presented 10 the Legislature have
begun To strike them ON the right side.
When we arrived ut Nashville the hope for
favorable action on our measure was dead.
by earnest endoavor among It's friends on
the outside n meeting was held, amendments
agreed upon. and then these amendments
were printed upon a slip of paper for distri'
button among the Legislators. "Wednesday
night another meeting was held In my room,
which n number Of Legislators attended. A
full and fair discussion Of the double tax
was held. the outside friends OF the relief
movement seeking TO take no shortcut or
deceive no One. We were all there for
strictly business, aud 10 escape no Legitimate
part OF taxation for the support OF State and
municipal governments which deyolyed
upon us. Al 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon
we met the joint Legislative committee, and
sat with them until 7 o'clock. The com.
mittee agreed TO some Of our amendments
outright and the Others would be taken
into consideration. We may not get all we
asked, but | believe some rciief will be
granted. That is the way l feel about II
now
"What were the amendments asked for,
rs you remember them2'
"lhe main one, perhaps, was upon the
section Of the bill providing that the whole
property Of n corporation should be taxed
where IL headquarters and genera offices
were. To illustrate the amendment asked,
| will cite the Tennessee Coal. Iron & Rail
road Company. The general offices Of that
company are al Tracy City, while a very
largo proportion Of its property Is In Ala
bama. We proposed that all real ostat,
shall be taxed where IL is located. aud that
personality shall be taxed where the gen
cnl offices are, but n credit be allowed fol
real estate located elsewhere. Another
amendment was 10 the section referring e
manufacturing establishments, where {
mans or company's whole capital Is In
vested. In that amendment w ask that thu
words capital stock be stricken out th'
word property inserted. aud that the rs
SCISSOR 20 and pass upon the value Of thI
property or plant Then there were recon
mcndations Tor changes In u number OF am
biguous words and phrases, liable 10 an!
sort Of construction by courts"
Mai. Burke was the only member OF thI
committee who returned yesterday. III
spoke In the highest terms Of the delegation
from Knoxville, Chattanooga Nashville an,
other cities. all of whom were on hand "a
honest effort aud no desire nt concenlmenl
deception or double dealing. They simpl.
desired what was cqvtahlc, Just and right
nothing more, and tho Major believes the
will see nj least a proportion Of Il. Sentinel
remain nc the capital, not 10 prevent dl'lDf
csty or anything of that kin on the part
legislators but 20 get action 81 some kint
The dread that prompted this prccnutio
was that IN the hurry Of the closing days Oh
Legislature would forget 10 take any nctioI
on the relief measure nj all.