Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-23
STATE ROADS.
Work of the Commissions Not
Entirely Satisfactory,
The Legislature Continues to shun Actual
Hard Work-The Hearing Before
the Taxation Commission.
(speeiaI correspondenee Of the spy.l

ne III session all summer II IL OOSSn
take brace There has been one fact
thai counteracts the inexcusable
lethargy of both branches thus far.
This is the small amount of business
that has been introduced. The number
of bills and petitions presented during
the two weeks of the session is far be-
low the average, but there are six more
legislative days for the Introduction of
new business and no one can tell. or
estimate, the amount of legislation that
may be offered in this period.
1t is weak policy to take things easy,
because there isn't much in sight at the
present time. 1t has been of common
occurrence to have several hundred
matters dumped into the clerks Offices
on the two closing days for the intro
duction Of new business and even when
the time is up, there are many matters
allowed in under suspension of the
rule.
Speaker Bates realizes that the legis-
lature is making haste very slowly, and
there is danger of long session unless
there is some disposition to settle down
to hard work. He took occasion the
other day to remind the committees
that there were several matters re-
ferred to their respective bodies, which
had not beeen assigned for hearings.
He also reminded the members that the
time for the Introduction of new bust
ness was up on the last legislative day
of January, and that they should take
particular pains to inform their consti-
tuents of this fact, and aid in getting in
all of the business likely to be intro
duced before this date. The members of
the present legislature should learn a
lesson from the indifference of its pre-
decessor, which might have concluded
its labors by the middle of May had it
not loafed during April to congratulate
itself upon its wonderful progress.
OF course it is rather tipesome to
harp about the inertia of the legislature,
but it is just as tiresome to hear this
talk every year about an early ad-
journment and a smaller Blue book, .
and then to find at the end of the ses-
sion that 1t has taken just as long, if
not little longer, to do the business of
the session.
Although the committee on taxation
has just commenced its labors, and
while there have been but two hearings
on the general recommendations of the
special commission on taxation, it is
generally conceded that the opponents
of double taxation, who have thus far
figured before the committee, have
made out very poor case. In fact,
President Durant of the Anti-Double
Taxation League has sounded the real
issue of the whole fight when he stated
the other day that his association would
be satisfied with a law that relieved the
stocks of foreign corporations from tax
alton in this state. His evidence be-
fore the committee has convinced those
who have been present that neither the
officials nor the members Of the Anti
Double Taxation League care a rap
about the bill proposed by the special
commission, and furthermore, that the
anti-double taxation people are present
for the sole and single purpose of OBJ
tanning legislation that will relieve for
eign stocks from the assessors of the
state
| The testimony of Hathaway of SOM
| erville, the man who was jailed by the
| Somerville assessors for attempting to
escape the payment on foreign stocks,
adds nothing of Importance to the gen.
eral subject, and there is some wonder
expressed that the committee should al
| low the consumption of so much time
I by this witness. A part of the evidence
offered by Hathaway Friday, was a
story of his Incarceration in East Cam
| bridge jail, which was told at length
! by the daily papers at the time But
Mr.. Hathaway was so anxious that this
story should get before the public again,
that this part of his evidence was care
! fully prepared in statement form, and
at the conclusion of his examination, it
was handed to the representatives of
| the press 1t was refreshing to note
! that few of the papers gave up any of
| their space for tWice-told tales The
/ Somerville witness evidently took the
stand with the idea that he was to pose
as a martyr, and when he held up the
| jail spoon with which he had eaten his
meals during his confinement at East
Cambridge and CALCULATED with some
spirit, that the members Of the commit
! tee would be against double taxation
had they eaten with this" (holding up
| the pewter SPOON on account of their
| opinions regarding this form of taxa
ton. But the effort at dramatic ef-
fort was a dismal failure, If the state
ment of one of the witnesses at the
| hearing amounts to anything. Said
this gentleman to your correspondent
! Immediately after the hearing: 1.-THE at
tempt of Hathaway to pose as martyr
| is the most ridiculous feature of this
whole affair"
There is considerable harsh criticism
at the course of the committee as an
nounced at the opening session, by Sen
ator Harwood of Newton. No questions
are allowed except by counsel. The
Anti-Double Taxation League is rep
resented by counsel, but the opponents
are not In fact, there is no combined
commission or to the aims sought for
| by the anti-double taxation people
There is plenty of general opposition tc
both of these factions. but 1t isn't rep
resented by counsel, and while the
''antis'' have perfect right to ask
| questions Or cross-eXamine witnesses
through their counsel, Mr.. Durant, nc
such opportunity is offered those who
don't agree with the principles and
theories advanced. There is likely to be
an understanding in the committee
early in the coming week, for several
Of the members say that no vote has
ever been taken to shut out questions
! This was Senator Harwood's idea, and
when ne announced the course of the
committee he explained that cross
questioning except by counsel was use
less and wasteful of time.
/ That Senator HarWood meant what
he said was demonstrated Friday, when
former Mayor of Maiden Henry M
/ VIM endeavored to interpose a ques-
| ton to one Of the witnesses. Mr.. VIM
! insisted that he was counsel for himself
but this didn't go, and he was denied
the privilege he sought. He offered a
| mild protest at the course of the COM
mittee, and his sentiments are undoubt-
eddy entertained by members of the
committee. AS the matter stands now,
the enemies of double taxation have
things their own way, although they
fail TO make out a strong case.
This matter of double taxation which
the ants worry SO much about, is OF
great Importance to cities like Spring
field and Worcester. One of the most
reliable taxation experts in the state
told your correspondent that Worcester
taxes would rise from e5 to rs cents a
thousand If foreign stocks were relieved
Nd II, O.. 1.ll