New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-17
THE GOVERNOR SERENE.
CERTAIN TO SIGN THE FRANCHISE TAX
BILL IF UNAMENDED.

REPUBLICAN LEADERS EXPECTED TO AC-
CEPT HIS Ms-CoNFERENCEs WITH
oDELL AND GRADY-THE PROC
LAMATION TO-DAY.
rBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Albany, May 16-Governor Roosevelt did not
Issue a proclamation calling a special session OF
the Legislature to-day, as 1t thought he
would do before the day should end. but he
frankie indicated early this evening that he be-
lieved he would Issue such proclamation to-
morrow In the Interval he hopes to obtain the
opinions OF the leaders OF the Republican organ
ization In this state upon certain amendments
to the Ford Franchise Tax bill. the chief meas
ure to be considered at the special session. that
he is willing to accept
Benjamin B. Odell. jr., the chairman OF the
Republican State Committee. was In Albany to-
day consulting the Governor about these amend
ments. 1t is thought that Mr.. Odell pressed the
Governor to accept still further amendments to
the BILL but It is believed he was not successful
in this part of his mission Mr.. Odell started
for New-York by an early afternoon train and.
II s presumed carried with him a copy Of the
amendments to the Ford Franchise Tax bill
Wnicn are approved Dy tne bO|erHoI. iHcoS
amendments were drawn UP by William J.
Youngs secretary to the Governor. assisted by
Charles q. Lincoln, the Governors law adviser
copy Of the amendments was printed in
local newspaper OF Albany tonight. much to
the Governors surprise. He was shown this
copy in the local newspaper, and declared 1t to
be correct although apparently astonshed at its
publication.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
The new bill comprises the Ford Franchise
act now in the Governors hands. II still de-
fines as real estate" the franchises Of corpora
tions. It then provides that the local Boards of
Assessors shall certify to the State Board Of
Tax Commissioners-compose of Martin Heer-
nance. Of Poughkeepsie; j. Edgar Leaycraft. Of
New-York and George f. Priest, Of Ithaca-the
names of corporations in their districts owning
franchises with a statement as to what taxes
se now paid by such corporations. The act
then says: The State Board shall then fix an
assessment in equity, deducting from the total
amount of tax any proportion Of taxes levied
and paid at present, so that the tax shall be
equitable upon all corporations in all localities
"The statement of the tax levied shall be sent
TO corporations affected and they may take an
appeal to the State Board, and such appeal may
The local assessors shall place in a sixth column
the assessment OF franchises. and shall in the
same manner as in other cases collect the tax
No proportion Of the tax shall go to the State
at large but all shall go to the locality, so that
the direct benefit will accrue to the locality. and
the State at large shall simply beneft by the
addition of taxable property.
All the money collected is to be for the bene-
n ~ tba locality oollecfing There will no
provision like that of the Raines Liquor Tax
act which gives one-third OF the revenue coll
lected from the liquor-dealers to the State
The act is to take effect on October I, or at the
beginning of the fiscal year 1s09-190o An ap-
preparation OF $4,000 is made to carry out the
provisions Of the act
SERENE MOOD OF THE GOVERNOR.
The Governor is in a mood. If the
organization" does not care to accept his
amendments to the Ford Franchise Tax bill he
is content; he will sign the Franchise Tax bill
and sleep we'll nights after he has done this
work In other words he has harassng
anxiety to have the bill amended. He thinks
the amendments good ones but the bill itself
has excellent provisions, in mis- Judgment. ana
therefore should become law In his opinion
1t is the opinion here OF Republican MEM
bers Of the Legislature that the Republican or
ganzation leaders will accept tonight the
Governors proffered amendments, and that to-
morrow he will issue his proclamation summon
ing n special session of the Legislature, to be-
gin on Monday, May %. The Governor said TO,
night that in his proclamation for speciai
session. II he issued one. he would not mention
the subjects for legislation, but reserve them
for a special message to the Legislature. where
ir he would express his views at length.
Senator Grady the Tammany Hall leader, WIS.,
tied the Governor to-day and talked with MN
about the proposed session. The Governor dld
not feel at liberty to state what Senator Grady
had said TO him. although acknowledging thet
Senator Grady, among other topics had touched
upon the subject Of rapid-transit legislation Tor
NewYork
favor OF a special session of the Legislature.
but laborcd to persuade the Governor to veto
the Ford Franchise Tax bill Failing IN THIS
attempt to kill the BILL he Is reported to have
favored an amendment for the taxation OF the
gross receipts OF corporations. This amendment
was also rejected by Governor Roosevelt on the
ground that 1t would not secure to the localities
affected as much Of compensation from the
CORPORATIONS as they would receive under the
Ford bill as II stands. Senator Platt Is reported
to have argued then that If the Ford Dill was
to be signed it's amendments might as well De
left to the Legislature Of 1900 and therefore
there no need OF special session but tne
counter argument was made 10 him that the
Democrats might carry the Assembly this fall
and thus be able to defeat any proposed amend
ments to the Ford Franchise Tax act Mr.. Platt
also learned that Governor Roosevelt would
accept amendments deprivng the local boards
of assessors of the power to make an assess
ment of a franchise, and also that deductions
would be made II a corporation already paid
corporation tax. Senator Platt, II If now De-
lieved favors a special sesson
MR.. ODEIL EXPECTS CALL TO-DAY.
B. b. odell jr chairman OF the Republican State
Committee came to this city last evening ana
ID 1llnA 1nnhn Qf