New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-12
TAX ON FRANCHISES.
AN IMPORTANT MEASURE PASSED BY
THE SENATE
Under TT PUBLIC FRANCHISES WOULD BE
ASSESSED AS REAL EsTATE-A
GREAT REvENUE-RAIsER.

GREAT REvENUE-RAlsER
,u,.,r .,ru II (speciaD-Governor Roosevelts
rscer, message expressing his approval OF the oea
of relieving the taxation of the state ana It's CIV
les by taxing the franchises of corporations d, me
had an unfortunate effect. owing 10 ts i'"''
suggestion that possibly the consideration Oh 'u.
n measure in its first stages would have 10 DE 'ei'
70 a committee of the Legislature appointed 10
revise the taxation laws. Such n committee cou"
not be expected to make a report peiore '"e
sembling Of the Legislature OF l9M b"' '"e ~
ernor took occasion later TO explain p'Na'es W
newspaper correspondents that TINS dio "o' "."
that he was opposed 10 any such bill being passed
this year. and he Expressed "oi" ~
would be- 49, cor,o-,s
The Senate at least. has acted on the doVerno'
last suggestion. and to-day 1t passed py tne ID" -
vote OF 30 to u Senator Ford's well mn laAi's
the franchises OF corporations as real estate o'
remains for the Assembly Is take similar action 10
give the Governor an opportunity to sign Dill
which will put hundreds OF thousands OF oo,'a'
yearly into the treasures OF the State and It's cities
and relieve direct taxation correspondhgH.
Assemblyman Slater introduced the oi" !" ',ie
Assembly. but IL has not yet been reporter W '
Committee on Taxation and Retrenchment'
The measure was debated for an hour In the
Senate to-day. Senator Ford made at the start
strong argument in support OF 1t. especiai'y an
swering the criticism that IT was defectiVe III io''h
He asserted that II would not tax the francnise OF
It's only effect would be TO tax the franchises OF
corporations holding public franchises, which had
not been bearing their proper burdens owing 10
decision of the Court of Appeals in 1881 IL wou,d
gas whc were occupying
the streets of cities villages. Many enormous;
without compensation This bill cassed such fran =
chises as real estate and would compel iheh "
CORPORATIONS we're now assessed on their tangible
property, but their franchises which were tn. the
ton The bill added nothing TO the machinery ro oil
s "a d in the sse 9u Il, woae ess ado vaa
predict would bring sl5"9en next year to , the
carefully drawn so as not to touch railroads which
bought their right Of way but II did cover the rail
ways which were using public streets FOR their prl-
! senator stranahan. in explaining his vote said
tion and Rctrenchment which had considered the
Arguments made in its favor but ne was not thor
oughy convinced that 1t would be wise egL .S,
bill was as follows
AyesAhearn Amber Armstrons Brown G F,.es11
dos S: Ss4ss aaf,i:
M M%%Daie rsT sonso" psnf sH
siranahan Thornton White. VICE. ,r.n. T.. poc,.
Mackey. McCsrren Norton Transporter. sullivan. wss
ner Wil.s-l2
The text Of the bill follows;
j.
tax law is hereby amended to read as follows;
g. The terms land real estate and real
property" as used in this chapter Include the
land Itself above and under water. all buildings ana
other articles and structures, substructures ana
superstructures. erected upon under or above OF
affixed to all wharves and piers; ihclud-
ing the value of the right TO collect WHARFAGE
cranage or dockage thereon: all bridges all tele-
era oh lines wires poles and appurtenances all sup
ports and Enclosures for electrical conductors ana
other appurtenances Lpon above ana under srouHu'
ali surface underground or elevated railroads, m
Guiding the value of all franchises. rights or per
mission construct, maintain or operate tne sdnie
| in, under above, through streets. hienways
or public places railroad structures supstruCt-
ures superstructures. tracks and the iron thereon
branches switches and other fixtures permi'eu OF
| authorized to be made, laid or placed IN upon:
above or under any public or private road sIreer
| or grounds; all mains. pipes and tanks iaio OF
| placed in, upon. above or under any pubic OF
private street place for conducting steam
| heat water OIL electricity, or any properly SUD
stance or product capable of transportation or con
| veyance therein OF that is protected thereby, IN
Gliding the value OF all franchises. rights, author
| Nv or permission to construct. MAINTAIN or Opt
| ate IN under above upon or through any street,
highways or public places any mains, pipes ian ~
| randuits or wires, with their appurtenances' lot
| conducting water steam. heat light; power gds,
oil or other substance. or electricity lot tele-
graphic telephone or other purposes az irees
/ and underwood growing upon land. and all mines.
minerals ouarries and fossils in and under the
same except mines belonging TO the state
| Sec . This act shall take effect Immediately.