The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-05-20
HARRISBURG LETTER
Protests Against the New Inherit
anoe 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.


gators Meet For Organization.
Especial Correspondence)
Harrisburg, May IS. - Since the
passage and approval of the Ell
kin bill taxing direct inheritances
2 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
in 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 low figure
Is I,000,000 for the next two years.
Some say IL may even reach $4,000 600,
but the guess of one person Is as good
as that OF another under the circum-
stances. The bill was drafted by John
y. Elkin, the chairman Of the Repub-
loan state committee, and had the in
dorsement of the governor and the
leaders Of the Legislature. Mr. Elkin
says the act will uncover a vast 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. 1t taxes
the personal and mixed property both
Of residents in the state and Of resi-
On ,1,. lx LII
state. 1t 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 2 per cent on the amount of
money left by 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-
h,tff In chor
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 distributee 2 per cent in
cash upon the appraised value Of his
securities. The tax Is to remain q 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 2 per cent all estates not
subject to a collateral inheritance tax
of per cent.
Six expert architects have been in
vited by the new capitol building COM
mission to enter the competitor for
plans for the new state house. A pro-
gram to regulate the open competitor
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 Goth
inst. Under the specifications the con-
tractor will be required to remove all
debris and exercise great care in the
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 of
the old cornerstone, so that the historic
records therein may be preserved. 1t
Is expected that the contract for the
new capitol will be let about Aug /.
Governor Hastings has been giving
| some of the factional leaders few un-
| pleasant surprises. Having defeated
the senate bill increasing the salaries
of deputy sheriffs in Philadelphia from
81 900 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 veto would accompany
the measure when II 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. 1t has been debated at length.
and it's enemies have tried over and
over again to so burden it with amend
ments as to make it's passage i'm
possible. But they have failed and the
bill will doubtless go to the governor
this week. An amendment was in
serted few days ago providing that
the bill shall not become operative
until s1.000,000 has been appropriated
by the state to be distributed in pro-
portion to the number of miles of pub
lie roads in each township that no
township shall receive more state
money than 1t raises by local taxation,
and the money so appropriated shall
be expended in making and maintain
ing public roads. AS amended it was
| laid aside for printing, and having