Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-18
TAGGART'S TAX BILL
Advocated by Master of the
State Grange Rhone as
Needed Legislation.
THEIR PRINCIPAL OBJECT
is to Tax Transportation Companies
for local Purposes.
WHY THEY OPPOSE TIE ROAD BILL.
Senator Flinn'S Advice as TO the Pittsburg
Street Measures.
THEIR PRINCIPAL OBJECT
WHY THEY OPPOSE TIE ROAD BILL.
ISSUE INDEBTEDNESS CERTIFICATES
rFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT J

HARRIS BURG, March l7.-Hon. Leonard
Rlone Master of the State Grange and a
former Democratic Representative from
Center county, was in the city today. Mr..
Rhone is strongly in favor of the Taggart
tax bill, aud said that the Grangers are
practically unit in Its support While
ihev also favored the income tax feature,
vet if it was deemed best TO strike ii out, as
Mir. Taggart has stated his willingness to do,
the Grangers would not object. Their main
object was the taxing of transportation and
transmission companies for local purposes.
Ii that was secured they could afford TO
drop minor features. The claim that the
railroads could not afford to paw the in
creased taxation provided for by this bill
could not be supported. Those which ran
through New York and Pennsylvania were
taxed Tor local purposes III the former State.
and vet they did not cease operations For
example, the Corning, Cowanesque and
Antrim Railroad is % miles long, 81 of
which runs through Tioga county, in this
State, and - through New York.
How 1t is Done in New York.
In three townships through which it
passes in New York., it pays over s., 600 Tor
local purposes and is also taxed for county
and State purpose. On the 81 miles in
PENNSYLVANIA it paws about $500 State tax
and not a cert for local purpose.
Mr. Rhone said that the Grangers would
send no delegations here 10 work for the
hill. Both political parties had pledged them
selves To tax equalization, the Grangers had
sent in their memorials and petitions praying
for 70 Iauudrt
they would leave the matter with the Uegisla-
IUre.
As to the road bill. Mr.. Rhone said the
GrlngerS generally were opposed to it on the
ground that /; would increase the cost of the
Tuads and take their control away from the
local authorities. What the farmers needed
WAS more funds with which TO make the roads.
bat they could not afford to raise them them
selves Pass the tax bill first, and make the
corporations contribute to Local expenses and
they could then make good reads under the
present laws with some slight notifications.
The Oranges Rapidly Increasing.
Mr.. Rhone, who is serving his fifth term as
Master OF the State Grange said the order was
increasing with wonderful rapidity. The
Farmers Alliance had not hurt it. and would
not, in his opinion, be permanent organiza-
tion. The great strength of the Grange lay In
the fact that 1t was not political organization.
Z he election last fall proved that 1t had been
charged that IL was an ally of the Democratic
party. If that had been true, the whole Re
publican ticket would have been defeated and
not Delamater alone He thought that if the
Republicans were to nominate Giles ID. Price,
OF Erie for Auditor General, and Mr.. Taggart
for state Treasurer it would be 4 ticket very
acceptable to Republican Grangers as both
these gentlemen mad their confidence.
Senator Mylin, who has the road bill in
charge, on his attention being called to MIR.
RLone's objections TO that measure, declared
them unfounded. The power to elect supeTvi-
sors IS vested in the voters of each township,
and these supervisors levy the tax, make all
contracts and expend all moneys. The only
outside supervision is that exercised by the in.
spector appointed by the commissioners, and
his authority only extends 10 the contracts
made Tor the permanent improvement of high
ways upon which the State appropriation is
expended. With the exception of this neces-
sary aud wholesome provision, the entire con-
troll of the roads remain vested in the local au-
IhOIities. HENRY HALL.