The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-15
DAY OF INTEREST
In LEGISLATURE
Proposed Investigation Of WiIkes.Barre
and Lehigh Coal Interests.
FISH LAWS CONSIDERED IN HOUSE
Report on Bill Prepared BY the State
Commission Is Adopted New
Prison Bill Is Presented By Mr..
seyfert of characterization Bills
Go Over.

Harrisburg, April 14.--In the senate
this morning Mr. Thomas made re-
port from the finance committee anent
the resolution to inquire into certain
alleged Irregularities in the manage
ment of the Jersey Central railroad
and the Wilkes Barre and Lehigh Coal
company. 1t was asserted that the
Coal company, which is controlled by
the Jersey Central, had not paid its
state taxes since 1898 The report was
accompanied by a statement from the
auditor general relative to the matter
The auditor general stated that the
coal company and the railroad COM
pany had paid the taxes in their gross
receipts down to Jan. 1896. "The coal
company" the auditor general con-
tinues, took an appeal from the set
tlement for tax on capital stock for
1895. The company has paid $4,000, be-
ing the amount of tax admitted to be
due by it, and has appealed from the
balance of the claim to the DauDhin
county court, giving bond, with ap-
proved security for the payment of the
amount found due"
Later in the day Mr. Gibson asked
for the consideration of the resolution
to investigate the Wilkes-Bar and
Lehigh Coal company and the Jersey
Central railroad, which resolution was
negatively reported by the committee
on corporations. Mr.. Gibson made a
speech in which he declared that the
coal company was paying taxes on but
S1,100, 900, while its property was worth
in the opinion of Attorney General Nc
Cormick, $30,000,000. However, Mr..
Gibson's motion was overwhelmingly
defeated, it being poinyeG out that the
auditor general, the attorney general
and the state treasurer had sufficient
power to compel the concerns to pay
what is due the state in the way of
taxes.
The governor notified the senate that
he had signed the Walton new capitol
bill The bill making it n misdemean-
or to insure persons who are non-com-
pos mentis or under the age of 16 was
killed by a vote of SO to 10.
IN THE HOUSE.
Much time was taken up at the morn
ing session in discussing the bill pre-
pared by the state fish commission. BY
a vote of IS to 5S the house, on motion
of Mr.. People, of Lancaster, went into
committee of the whole for special
amendment. The amendment provides
that nothing contained in the act
shall prohibit the fishing with set
nets in any of the streams of this COM
monwealth, which do not contain brook
trout from the 18th day Of April to the
18th day of June and from the 18th day
of September to the 18th day of Novem-
Der; provided said nets do not span
more than five feet and have meshes
not less than one inch square. Nor
shall anything contained in this act
prohibit fishing with fish baskets in any
of the rivers of this commonwealth
which flow party through this and part
ly through an adjoining state or states
from the 18th day of September to the
18th day of November provided said
baskets have a movable bottom with
strips nicely rounded on the corners
and placed not less than three-fourths
of an ich apart. The bottom Is to be
removed not later than one hour after
sunrise and not replaced sooner than
one hour before sunset" The report
was adopted.
A bill to prevent repeating
and the effects of padded as
SCISSORS lists at elections, was
introduced in the house by MI
Woodruff, of Philadelphia, 1t has beer
endorsed from the Municipal league OF
Philadelphia, and is one of the most
important reform measures presented
in this session. The bill was referred
to the judiciary general committee and
will be considered at a meeting of the
subcommittee in charge of election
bills.
A bill requiring railroad companies
to provide steps at railway stations
and to inflict a penalty of not less
than $50 nor more than $500 for neglect
ing to do so, was presented by Mr.. Nc
Whitney, of Allegheny.
NEW PRISON BILL.
Mr. Seyfert, of Lancaster, presented
@ bill to establish a general system OF
penal service and administration
throughout the state and to vest the