Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1897-05-21
HARRISBURG LETTER
Protests Against the New Inherit
anoa Tax Law.
THE FIGHT FOR IMPROVED ROADS
The Amended Hamilton Bill Awaits
Action by the senate and the Cover
nOr-The Insurance Bribery Investi.
gators Meet For Organization.


nOr-The Insurance Bribery Invests
gators Meet For Organization.
Especial Correspondence
Harrisburg, May IS. - Since the
passage and approval of the Ell
kin bill taxing direct inheritances
per cent of the people Of the state
are just beginning to realize what the
measure means. 1t was rushed through
on special orders. with the backing OF
the state administration, and already
the protests are being heard from every
section Of the commonwealth. Gov
ernor Hastings approved the bill with
N an hour after it had been signed
by the presiding officers of the senate
and house. Nobody can estimate pre-
cisely the amount of revenue which
this act will produce, but a low figure
is 81 000. 900 for the next two years
Some say 1t may even reach $1,000, ,OO0
but the guess of one person is as good
as that Of another under the circum-
stances. The bill was drafted by John
2. Elkin, the chairman of the Repub-
lican state committee, and had the in
dorsement of the governor and the
leaders of the legislature. Mr.. Elkin
says the act will uncover avast amount
of property in the shape of securities
which have heretofore been hidden
from the ewes of the commonwealth
until death brought them to view
through the settlement of estates.
The bill taxes all personal and mixed
property which shall pass by will or
by the intestate laws of this state
from any person to the heirs. It taxes
the personal and mixed property both
of residents in the state and of resi-
dents who may be domiciled in another
state. IL also taxes like property in
this state owned by residents of a for
eign state. 1t applies to all personal
and mixed property, whether the same
be held absolutely or for life, or for
a shorter period or where held by a
trustee, the income to be paid to a
beneficiary, and to charges on land in
favor of any heir or legatees. 1t also
applies to any estates of personal and
mixed property which shall be trans
ferred by the owner prior to, but in
contemplation of his death, or where
the transfer of such property is in
tended to take effect after the death
of the transferer. 1t applies not only to
the estates of persons who may die
in the future, but also to the unset
tied estates of those who have died.
1t does not apply to real estate.
How the Tax VIII Be Collected.
This new tax is to be paid at the
rate of per cent on the amount of
money left by a decedent, and at the
same rate upon the appraised value of
his securities. 1t is also to be paid
directly by the executor or admin
istrator of the estate. and such officer
is prohibited from making any distri-
button or from being discharged from
his trust until he has deducted the tax
from money legacies or shares, or in
the case of legacies or shares in the
form of securities, has received from
the legatee or distrlbutee per cent in
cash upon the appraised value of his
securities. The tax Is to remain a lien
upon all property until paid. 1t is to
be paid in the same manner as collat-
eral inheritance tax is now paid. and
the act expressly declares that 1t shall
not in any way modify or alter the
law relating to collateral inheritance
taxes. 1t is declared to be the legisla-
tive intention that this act shall tax
at the rate of per cent all estates not
subject to a collateral Inheritance tax
of 8 per cent.
Six expert architects have been in
vited by the new capitol building com
mission to eater the competitor for
plans for the new state house. A pro-
gram to regulate the open competition
for plans has also been issued, and
specifications are also out for the tear
ing down of the ruins of the burned
building. Proposals for this latter
work Will be received until the 26tk
inst. Under the specifications the con-
tractor win be required to remove all
debris and exercise great care In this
removal of the marble washstands
lavatories. tanks, and the marble vain
scoting and flooring in the main hall
way. He will also be required to ex-
ercise especial care in the removal o.:
the old cornerstone so that the historic
records therein may be preserved. II
Is expected that the contract for the
new capitol will be let about Aug. 1.
Governor Hastings has been givinR
some of the faetional leaders a few un-
pleasant surprises. Having defeated
the senate bill increasing the salaries
of deputy sheriffs in Philadelphia from
81 600 to $500 a year, the house was
induced TO reconsider its action, and
sent the bill to the governor. Elated
with his success in having the house
| take the back track, Sheriff Crow call
/ ed on the governor to ask him to ap-
prove the bill. He was given to under
stand that a veto would accompany
the measure when it left the executive
/ department.
The Fight For Better Roads.
During the present session no bill
has excited more general interest than
the measure drafted by Professor John
Hamilton, acting secretary Of agricul-
ture, for the improvement Of the high
ways. It has been debated at length
and its enemies have tried over and
over again to so burden It with amend
ments as to make its passage i'm
possible. But they have failed. and the
bill viii doubtless go to the governor
| his week An amendment was in
serted a few days ago providing that
the bill shall not become operative
until 81. 900. 900 has been appropriated
by the state to be distributed in pro-
portion to the number of miles OF pub
ic roads in each township: that NJ
township shall receive more state
money than II raises by local taxation
md the money so appropriated shai
ie expended In making and maintain
ng public roads. AS amended 1t was
aid aside for printing, and having
passed the house now awaits the con
currence OF the senate In the hous'
amendments. Whether Governor Hast
ing will approve the bill in its presen
shape remains 10 be seen. He was
heartily in favor Of the bill In its origi
nal form, because II carried out sug
gestions In his message to the legisla
ture. II the bills taxing beer, which
have been reported to the house, be
come laws they win produce enougl
revenue to Justify the legislature II
making an appropriation Of $4,000