Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-02
Read to the New York Legislature
This Morning.
PLEA FOR ECONOMY In EXPENSES
Suggests Changes in the Laws Re-
garding Corporations.
A L so IN T A X r A T E S

ALBANY, N. Y, January Both
| branches of the state legislature convened
at II am. today. The feature in each
branch was the reading of the message of
| GOV. Odell, which was listened 70 with
| great interest by members and spectators
| The organization of both houses was car
r1ed out in compliance with the decision
| of the caucuses held last night.
Senator Timothy E. Ellsworth of Niagara
county was elected president pro tenn of the
senate, the democratic members voting for
Senator Thomas F. Grady of New York.
S. Fred Nixon was elected speaker of the
assembly. The democrats voted for Daniel
S. Fl risbie of Schoharie county.
To Reduce Expenses.
The governors message is a general
recommendation for the reduction of the
expenses IF the state and pea for a more
rigid economy in the different departments
and commissions He recommends the con-
soiidation of the board of mediation and
arbitration, the bureau of labor statistics
and the state factory inspection department
into one commission, to be known as the
department of labor He asks that the
state board of charities and the prisons
commission be abolished and the work of
these departments be done by a single
commissioner He also objects to the pres
ent system of employing special legal ad-
vice and recommends that the compensa-
ton of attorneys be fixed by statute on
percentage basis.
The governor is Of the opinion that the
corporations are treated more literally in
other states than they are in New York
The burdens placed upon domestic cor
porationS, he says. is forcing capital to go
to other states where more favorable laws
exist, and as a consequence New York is
losing revenues which other states are en-
joying at its expense. The legislature is
asked to enact amendments which will
liberaliZe and make more popular the
states corporation laws. I'VE should ex
ercise the same supervision over foreign
corporations who seek to do business with
in our state" says Mr.. Odeil, las over our
own, and they should be subject to the
same limitations. Many complaints now
made against large combination of capital
are just, but owing to our lack of jurisdic-
ton we are unable to control. and there
fore no law be framed which will reach
foreign corporations effectively. Even
though we deny their right to file certifi-
Gates, the greatest penalty is the with
holding of the right to use our courts, and
this in effect is but a slight embarrass-
ment, as the United States court can be
used for the same purpose. Liberal laws,
therefore, which will accord the same
rights as those given to individuals, re-
strictive as to their powers and the safe
guarding of the peoples interest, will ac-
compish much more than defamation
against corporations, and will at the same
time aid US by relieving the burdens of
taxation upon the homes of those who can
i'll afford to bear them
Question of Taxation.
The governor says that he has looked for
ward with pleasurable anticipation to the
day when the state Of New York would no
longer find it necessary to levy direct tax
for state purposes. In referring to the tax
alton of corporations Mr.. Odell says:
''All corporations receive from the state
certain rights. 1t seems to me- therefore, |
that capital Of this character in our state |
should pay tribute to the creating power |
for that which they have received. This |
1ustifies the present laws taxing corpora |
tions for state purposes, and all future cor
poration tax laws should be based upon |
this principle. That the present law works |
hardships to some and is not fully enforced |
in other cases is apparent. This no make |
shift remedy will correct but an entirely |
new system should be framed to meet eX- |
listing conditions and a fair and equitable |
recompense from all corporations enjoying |
state protection and favOrs should be eX- |
acted Exemptions should be given by the
localities rather than by the state, because |
1t is the former which receives the greatest |
benefit, and all corporations should there
fore pay tax based upon their earning
power. But few Of the many corporations
in the state are taxed in this manner,
and therefore an unfair discrimination ex-
lists"
AS to the correction of evils in the city of !
New York and the need of outstanding the
resources of the city, the governor says:
Every department of New York needs
corrective legislation. Especially Is this
true of those departments whose admnis-
tration is confined to county lines In this
direction | desire to call your attention 30
the fact that many Of the public officers in
that city are receiving a larger remunera-
llon TOT their services than that which is
given to the President Of the United States.
Your attention is called to a few Instances
Of this character. The sheriff of the coun-
ty OF New York receives an annual salary
OF S20OOO and one-half of the fees which
are said to amount to 100000 per year more
The claim has been made heretofore that |
the sheriff takes great financial RESPONSE
plllty ana is therefore entitled to additional
compensation. This is not now true in eff
rect because he can at all times demand a |
bond of indemnity and thus save himself
from all harm. 1t would seem to me that a
salary OF $4,000 would be annie for this
office. The same may be said of the countv
cierk ana the registrar of the county of |
New York, whose salaries are excessive |
IN the county of Kings the combined sal
aries Of the sheriff, county clerk and regis
trar amount to 100000 per annum, This
could be reduced by abolishing the fee sys- |
tenn and substituting therefor salaries. the
oalance TO be paid into the treasury for the
purpose OF reducing the taxes upon prop
erty." p'0p
Touches on Police Department.,
The police department of New York city
receives considerable attention in the gov
ernor's message. Mr.. Odell is of the opin-
ION that much of the difficulty now existing
In this department is due to divided respon-
slbility and lack of Capitalization OF |
authority. What remedy have we," he
asks, for this manifest evil, which has
brought the police force of the city of New
YORK into such disrepute? A state con-
stabulary has been suggested, but the |
strong disincltnation upon the part of the
other municipalities throughout the state
to acquiesce in this solution renders this
plan valueless metropolitan police sys-
tenn is open to the criticism that it is a !
violation Of the principle of home rule |
guaranteed by the constitution. We are
therefore brought to face this proposition, |
with no apparent remedy as yet suggested |
In my opinion there should be a complete |
of power. There is no neces- |
sity, 1t seems to me, for commissioner |
who is not In effect well as in name the |
absolute head of the police system of the
city OF New York. An efficient man, the
choice of the mayor, single-headed |
with all the powers now |
possessed by the chief of police. would at
once narrow down the responsibility and |
place 1t within the power of the chtaf l