New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-16
EXTRA SESSION MAY 22.
DEFINITE STATEMENT FROM THE GOV
ERNOR EXPECTED TO-DAY.
HE ATTENDED A DINNER AT THE BUF-
FALO CLUB LAST NIGHT-IMPORTANT
CONFERENCE OF REPUBLI-
CAN LEADERS
CAN LEADERS.

Albany, May IL (speciaD. D.-Governor Roose-
welt departed for Buffalo to-day. to attend din
ner at the Buffalo Club tonight. but he intends
to be here early tomorrow morning and have a
conference with such leading Republicans as
Senators Ellsworth and Higgins and Speaker
Nixon concerning the call for a special session
Of the Legislature for the consideration OF pro-
posed amendments to the Ford Franchise Tax
bill.
II a session is held II will begin Monday
next. May %. and thus there Will be ample time
for the passage Of a bill amending the Ford BILL
which the Governor will not sign If he does sign
It, before May %, the final day left him by the
Constitution for the consideration OF the bill
The scheme will be to pass new Ford Fran
chise Tax bill as a substitute for the old one
now in the Governors possession. and locked up
1t may be stated here In one of the strongest
safes in the Executive Chamber Thus. IL no
amendatory act is passed by the Legislature in
special session, the Governor would yet have 1t
In his power to engraft the principle of the taxa
ton OF franchises on the taxation system Of the
State by signing the Ford bill.
There Is no doubt whatever here of his inten-
ton to sign Senator Ford's BILL II no better act,
In his judgment. is sent to him.
THE GOVERNORS ATTITUDE.
The Governor will not assume an Inconsistent
attitude If he accepts. as he is said to be willing
to do. an amendment to the Ford bill authorz-
Ing board OF State officers to assess the value
OF the franchises to be taxed, instead Of leaving
this duty. the bill now provides with the
various local boards Of assessors all over the
State Two months ago. he urging that
such an amendment should be made to the BILL
since he feared that the local boards would use
their power oppressively, or under the inspira-
tion of such a political organization as Tam
many Hall. for the coercion Of corporations and
the levying Of political assessments upon them
But the Republican organization leaders in the
Senate and the Assembly made effort to
perfect the bill. Their aim was obvious: they
did not intend to pass the measure They had no
interest in 1t. They attempted to deceive Gov
ernor Roosevelt as tc their purpose They
brought forward Assemblyman Rodenbecks
franchse-tax bill as a substitute for Senator
Fords. Their design was palpaby to manufact-
alleged disa agreement between the Senate
and the Assembly upon the bills. and pass
neither of them.
Governor Roosevelt was not mised: he had been
a member of the Legislature himself, and knew
just what such tactics meant At last he drove
the conspirators into corner with an emergency
message addressed TO the Assembly the Ford
bill, and followed it up with a message to both
houses Of the Legislature expressing his support
of the bill. The result of his action is well
known He forced the Assembly to a vote on
the bill, and, majority of the members favorng
IT, the bill passed.
RESULTS OF THE HEARING.
The Governor had additional reasons brought
TO his attention at the hearing on the meas
ure on Thursday why franchises should not be
assessed by local boards These were emphati-
caly pressed by Caryl Ely. president Of the
International Traction Company, of Buffalo;
Wilson s. Bssell. ex-Postmaster-G General. who
appeared in behalf of the companies which con-
troll the sending and selling of electricity from
Niagara Falls In Buffalo, and John G.. Mil
burn. counsel of the international Traction Com
pany whose lines run all over Buffalo and
thence to Niagara Falls twenty miles distant
Messrs Ely Bssell and Milburn showed that
the lines of the companies they represented
would be assessed by three four boards of
assessors between Buffalo and Niagara Falls,
and they argued that great injustice might be
done them by various values being put upon
their franchises.
Governor Roosevelt seemed much interested IN
their argument that rural Boards Of Assessors
might so oppressivey assess franchises that the
construction Of trolley railroads in rural neigh
borhoods in the vicinity Of the great cities. such
a benefit 10 them. would be almost stopped.
The Republican organization leaders can ac-
cent the amendment providing for a State Board
OF Franchise Assessors not as they please;
they have until tomorrow morning to decide
whether or not they will take it.
WHERE THE CORPORATIONS STAND.
II s probable that the corporations will ad-
wise them to accept 1t, since the owners Of cor
1tlrn fHa n
having ;heir franchises valued by local boards
of assessors all over the State. A State Board
composed, for instance. Of such high state Of
fcIals as the Secretary Of State. Controller and
Attorney General, the attorneys Tor corpora
tiCns here declare could well be trusted 10 de-
eide upon the value OF a franchise for purposes
OF taxation. Then there is the State Board OF
Tax Commissioners, having as It's members
Martin Heermance. of Poughkeepsie; j. bdsaT
Leaycraft OF NewYork and George T. rriest.
The only objection which would be made to this
last-named Board would be that when tney
we're selected 1t not suspected that any at
tempt would be made t 10 impose pc tbat aPo wond be Of
yaiuing the franchises Of the corporations OF
the State. ~, -,
Tax commissioners shall have these duties:
First--Investigate and examine. from time 70
time as to the methods OF assessment withh
the State. ,. -.
second-Furnish local assessors with such
information as may be necessary or proper 10
cid them in making the assessment thereof
Third-Make such rules and regulations as
may be necessary to enforce the provisions OK
this article and prepare forms for reports and
assessment rolls and furnish the same to as
SCISSORS and other officers at the expense Of the
State
Fourth-Take testimony and hear proofs.
rnder oath. with reference to any m"tter within
the line OF its official duty Any member Of
such Board may be designated for that pur-
pose and It may require from al! State and
municipai officers such information as may be
necessary for the proper discharge OF It's duties
Fifth-Hold meetings at an office to be as
signed It in one OF the State Buildings at Al
bany. at such times as may be nxed by the
chairman of the Board OF by adjournment there
of. or at such other places as It may designate
Sixth-Prepare an annual report 10 the Legis-
lature a1d recommend such changes or amend
cents Ia the tax laws 1t may deem advis-
able ~. A.. No.,
Two or more OF the members OF the Board
NJ Tar Cor mlssioners shall officially visit every