The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-07
Tho Propo,ed Tax NIL.
Editor Of The Post.

10 inc Eultor OF Inc fOht.
Houston, Texas, January Ill had not
intended to ask OF you any space for
discussion OF the proposed tax bill, know
ing that the prize offered by the Houston
Manufacturers association would bring
out better thoughts from those more In
terested than could possibly hope to
convey. but as Mr. Kittrell in Sundays
Post sees ut TO take me to task because
OF the phraseology OF the offer Of the
Houston Manufacturers association, ! ask
space to reply.
wish to say TO Mr.. Kittreli that am
not the Houston Manufacturers asso-
citation. The Houston Manufactursrs' as
socistion has simply appointed mo as
manager Of the prize contest The COM
mittee OF ten. OF which I am one, APP
pointed by the Houston Manufacturers
association, and known IN that assecia-
ton as the committee OF ten on taxation,
decided that the interest OF the manufsc-
turers in Texas we're being attacked by
tho proposed tax bill and that II was
best to create discussion OF II by show
ing up 10 the people OF Texas wherein
the adoption OF this bill would he OPP
pressive to not only the manufacturers
Oh itAleG Uut ~ Inc lditnNIt uUu laDOI
ing men as we'll
The wording OF the offer was az fol-
lows.
THE Houston Manufacturers associa-
tion hereby offers prize OF $50 in cash
10 the individual or newspaper writing
and publishing the best article or series
OF articles showing wherein the pro-
posed tax law recently submitted by the
Texas tax commission Is inimical TO the
fnforpgt mQrrhanfN
facturers or laborers who depend upon
tha successful operation OF Industrial en-
terprlses as a means for obtaining live
lihood."
The phraseology OF the offer was not
accidental; II was worded in that man
ner on purpose; IL was considered by
the committee OF ten and indorsed ~
them. The object In wording IL In this
manner was 10 prevent any advocates OF
the bill from airing their views at the
expense OF the association. The proposed
bill speaks for Itself. The trainers OF
/ the bill have alphabetically said all that
/ is possible to be said in favor OF H. 1t
I does not need another champion. The
( Manufacturers association does not con-
/ denim all the features Of the bill but hopes
( to influence Our legislators sufficiently q
cause them to eliminate the objectional
features from the bil-a bill which was
conceived in the interest Of those owning
{ large bodies OF unimproved land; a bill
which, II passed. will result in making
poorer the producing classes Of the State
and In enriching those who are drones
and who depend for livelihood upon the
labor and Industry OF the masses.
I'VE claim that the proposed bill will
have the effect OF raising the rate OF IN.
tereat, which viii be oppressive 10 bor-
rowers. retarding business enterprises.
aud increasing the burden OF taxation or
the farmer and working man. for n,
hensft only 81 owners Of unimproved land.
held In idieness for speculative purposes
and this prize was offered for the ppr.
pose Of securing full discussion of thu
subject, in order that the danger 10 ths
farming and industrial interests OF III
State, involved IN the adoption Of suci
q measure. be Averted."
rs 1t not significant that this bill shouit
be proposed At this particular time. whel
many millions Of acres OF land which hAy'