The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-18
EQUALITY in TAXATION.
Matter Was Discussed lby the Manufac-
turer'S Association.
COMMISSION INVITED TO MEET HERE
D,scu,,ion Regarding New Cotton
Picker-PInn to Foster Mann
featuring Industries.

The Houston Manufacturers association
met last night in the Hutchins house, the
following members being present: II. @
Mosehart, president; Z. Z. Rust, q. Q
Crawford, f. NJ. Burke, e. e. Parsons
John Neuthard, L. LIE Bert, j. ]. Pastoriza
d. Woodhead. L. T. Boyles, II. NJ. Ramsey
F. N. Gray, Frank Eller James Charlton
r. NJ. Johnston, H. p. Davss and others.
The minutes of the preceding meeting
were read and adopted
Mr.. Z. c. Crawford and Mr.. d. Wood
head reported as to special committee
work.
Mr.. ]. j. Pastoriza read an article con-
tanned in last Sundays Post referring 70
the governors commission on equalization
of taxation, wherein it was reported that
taxation ON land should be relieved. and
offered the following resolution:
Whereas, 1t is generally conceded tha'
the tax commission now in session In Aus
tin proposes to raise taxes Tor state pur-
poses by increasing the assessments on
merchants and manufacturers stochs anu
equipment, and
Whereas, This increase of taxation on the
already overburdened merchant and manu-
facturer will be more than they can bear,
and will efIectually prevent new Industries
from being established here, and
Whereas, The tax commission further
proposes to exempt land entirely from
taxation, and such exemption would tend
to make capital seek Investment in Idle
lands to the detrlmeDt OF legitimate en-
terprses, thus attracting Texas capital
away from manufacturing and developing
industries, therefore, be 1t
Resolved. That the Houston Manufac-
turers association protest against sucn
methods OF taxation and instruct its COM
mittee on exemption of manufactures from
taxation to prepare protest to be present.
ed to the tax commission in the name OF
this organization.
After some discussion, in which Messrs.
j. j. Pastoriza James Charlton. II. NJ.
Burke. e. c. Crawford and e. i. Buy!es
participated, and an explanation by Mr.. X.
NJ Johnston as to the governors motives,
1t was the sense of the meeting that the
resolution was too harsh and antagonstic
In its nature, and a motion offered by Mr..
E. C. Crawford prevailed that the Hous-
ton Manufacturers association invite the
State commission on taxation to hold at
least one of its sessions in Houston before
making its final report to the legislature.
BY invitation of the president. Mr.. R. Nj.
Johnston addressed the association, eXcus-
ing himself for the time being from a
longer talk, and promising on some future
occasion, when he had given certain mat
tiers preached last night mature thought
to respond to the invitation. Mr.. Johnston,
however, took occasion to congratulate the
organization on the good work it was do
Ing, assuring IL of the most hearty support
OF The Post in the upbuilding OF nanufac-
turing and industrial institutions in Hous-
ton He referred to a recent visit to the
State of Georgia, citing its comparative
wonderful industrial development and as
sorting to the fact that the poor lands of
that State had forced the people to do
something besides farming, and that they
are now engaging in manufacturing. He
spoke of the rich lands of Texas and her
productiveness of cotton as a cause for not
yet being driven to that point of develop
ment. There are three cotton mills in this
State, he said. that are really doing moth
ing, while Macon, Ga, has four cotton
mills in full operation and paying hand
some dividends; the State of North Caro-
lima was now manufacturing all of her cot
ton, none of II leaving the State In a raw
condition, and 80 per cent of her manufac-
turing enterprises are built upon homo
capital.
Mr.. 7. H. Smith, representing Mr.. Henry
Rembert OF this city who is the inventor
of new cotton picking machine, being
present, addressed the association by inv-
tarion. calling attention to the merits OF
the invention AMI inviting the members
of the association to call and see the picker
today, when Mr.. Rembert himself would
give thorough explanation as to its opera
ton.
Messrs Crawford and Rust. who had al
ready inspected the machine spoke COM
mendlngly of it, The machine weighs
about 500 pounds is easily pulled by two
light horses and can be managed by boy
After general discussion of the picker
and plan to raise a stock company to
manufacture it in Houston If its merits
would warrant, IL was accepted that as
many Of the association as wished to do
so would call today and inspect the picker.
Mr.. Crawford moved that committee of
hve be appointed by the chair, to be known
as the committee for securing new mafu-
features, The motion was adopted and
the chair stated that he would appoint the
committee later
Mr.. Rust offered the following resolution,
which. on motion, was referred to the com
mittee on manufactures, when same shall
have been appointed
Whereas. Houston offers a most inviting
field for manufactures OF many kinds. and
Whereas. Cooperation appears to us to
be the best plan to secure a number of in
dustrles requiring only small capital
therefore. be 1t
Resolved, That the Houston Manufac-
turers' association hereby takes the in
itiatiye In the work of encouraging the
location of manufactures In this city by
opening subscription for stock to be used
in the establishment OF any Industrial
business that be recommended as a good
investment by a committee on manufac-
lures to be appointed by this body.
Thore being 10 further business, the
meeting adjourned.