New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-03
FORD TAX LAW DTSCTSSFD.
J GOVERNOR ROOSEVELT HOLDS A CONFER
FNCE WITH TIE STATE BOARD

tN'f NlIH HE STATE BBNtD-
meeting OF Governor Roosevelt ana the state
Board OF Tax Commissioners. Of which J. Edgar
Leaycraft OF this city; Martin Heermsnce OF
Poughkeepsic and G. F. Priest. OF Ithaca. mem
hors was held at oyster Bay yesterday The ob-
jcct az tho meeting was 10 discuss and exchange
views upon matters relating TO the Ford Franchise
law. the more important points touched upon I'M
Guiding the method OF determining the value of a
franchise and tho fixing Of the assessments thcre-
on. The conference was result Of mutual de-
sire upon the part Of Governor Roosevelt and
the Board TO have the matter IN such a shape that
as little litigation as possible will onsuc after tho
law goes into effect Il is hardly expected that In
any form difficulties will not arise, but tho desire
IS to reduce them TO a minimum.
A number OF meetings have taken place NJ Al
hany. and the members Of tho Commission have
studied the subject deeply and thoroughly. Il was
expected that much trouble would be experienced
and such has been the case. Notwithstanding THIS
fact the Commission has not found any difficulties
which are nsurmountable and It IS thought that In
n short time statement can he furnished Which
VIII Indicate Just what has been decided upon no
chief difficulty has. Of course. been to determine
method by means Of which the value OF franchise
may be determined.
The Commission and Governor Roosevelt have
given this feature much thought. and II is now ne
Nevel that a feasible method has been determined
What this IS cannot yet De made public. as II was
decided yesterday that until the entire subject had
been definitely determined upon 81 would be mis-
take to indicate what the system OF valuation VIII
be Another feature Of the task under cons!dera-
ton has been the preparation Of blank form TO De
sent 10 the corporations and used by them In COM
municatlng the information from which the value
OF their franchises ia 70 he In part derived Great
care has had to he exercised in determining just
what form the questions should take and tho prn-
ciples OF the assessment 70 he applied.
The Attorney General has been called upon TO do
considerable work in connection with the settle
ment Of all prel!minares OF the enforcement Of the
act and upon the thoroushness and soundnoss OF
the work done by the Law Department Of the state.
II is said the ease difficulty OF collecting tho tax
will largely depend. Mr. Leaycraft was seen AZ
his home, No as West Eighty-third-st., last even
ing. but said that he was not at liberty TO make
known the plans determined upon. We decided
that II would he mistake 20 give ont informa ton
now that might have 10 be modified or entirely
changed later he said Much work has had 10
be done and many knotty questions have presented
themselves but none l may say. which We nave
not or Will not be able 70 overcome. We nope 10
be able 10 give out statement soon in me
mean time will continue with the work. IL Is
POSSIBLE that the representatives, Of some largo
corporations may be permitted 70 appear before
the committee TO make suggestions This. now
ever has not been finally determined upon; J ne
effort has been to make the forms as simple ana
brief as possible and this in Itself has been task
Of considerable difficulty.