The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1901-04-05

HON. WILLIAM CHAN DLER.
chairman of the House Committee on Rail
roads.
selves and then undertake to reform
their ways and lay out different de-
sign on the tyestle board. Just as long
as the constitution requires the legis-
lature to enact all classes of local
legislation, which would be a great
deal better and more properly done by
the several boards of supervisors, just
so long will this class of business
occupy practically the entire time Of
the legislature up to the spring election
and cause all general legislation to
be put off until the session is about
ninety days old. So far from having
done nothing, as has been so frequent
ly asserted, the present legislature has
actually done more work than almost
any of its predecessors has transacted
up to this date. Nearly $50 new laws
have been enacted. The people have
the remedy I'm their own hands. and
until they apply it they should be
sparing of their criticism of the legis-
lature for dilatoriousness during the
first three months Of the session. They
the constitution remains unchanged
Railroad Tax Bills.
The hearings of the numerous rail-
road tax bills, so-called, which were
adjourned a fortnight ago because Of
the inability of some Of the railroad
attorneys to be present, commenced
this morning and will continue until
every one who has anything on his
mind concerning this important sub
ject which he wishes to unload has had
I'M IoI
over by Chairman Chandler of the
house railroad committee, who has
given much time and study to the sub
tnct, and who Is the author of one Of
the principal bills under discussion.
perry of railroad companies, but also
press companies.
Following the consideration of these
bills the house committee on private
corporations, of which Representative
Mccall Is chairman, will give a hear
ing on several bills affecting express
companies, both as to taxes and
methods Of exchanging business with
each other.
Ad Valorem Basis.
The Chandler bill provides for the
taxation of the property of the several
classes of companies named on an ad
valorem basis, but this is not the only
| one that is being considered There
are several more along the same lines,
and in addition Representative Mccall
is making n strong fight for his bill.
which practically doubles the present
specific tax rates paid by railroad COM
panies. The latter measure Is being
received with great deal Of favor by
many legislators, and there Is no doubt
that q determined effort will be made
to give 1t the right Of way over the ad
valorem tax bill. The argument made
: Is that It presents altogether the
simplest and most inexpensive method
! of taxing railroads, for by simply
| raising the rate they can be raised
| from this source whatever revenue the
state desires. The plan is to have the
tax commission figure out what the
| railroads would pay IL taxed on an ad
| valorem basis under the Cooley APP
| praisement, and then foreclOse all
trouble or question Of constitutlonality
with It's incidental delays and ex-
J pensive litigation by increasing the
rates to figure that will prod,re the
revenue desired. Notwithstanding this
f! sentiment, however, the chances are
altogether In favor Of the enactment
' Of an nd valorem law.
Interurban Rosd To lie Considered.
I The railroad tax bills are not the
only railroad measures that will be
considered this week, hearing hav-
ing been set for Thursday morning on
AI> ui.--,s,-- t.ui h-i-.-i.,~ ~is>ss-t~