New-York tribune., 1901-04-22
TAX LOWEST SINCE 1855.
SUBSTANTIAL RESULTS OF GOVERNOR
ODELLS POLICY.
REDUCTION OF STATE EXPENSES AND IN
CREASE OF CORPORATIONS ASSESS
MENTs-REvIEw OF LEGIs-
LATURES WORK

CREASE OF CORPORATIONS ASSESS
MENTs-REvIEw OF LEGIs-
LATUREs WORK.
Albany, April p (SpeciaD.-Governor Odelfs
administration Of the affairs Of the State has
been so economical and through his initiation
the legislature has so increased the taxation or
corporations that the State tax rate will be the
lowest since 1855. The statement as to the
tax rate made to-day by Mr. Aids. the
chairman Of the Assembly Committee on Ways
and Means. In the presence Of Senator Higgins
the chairman of the Senate Committee on Fin
ance.
The lowest State tax rate Of recent years was
that OF 1as mills. in 1891; but the Democratic
State administration of that year had the
benefit of 100000 just received from the
United States Government, In repayment of the
direct tax" The Assembly that year had a
Democratic majority. but the Senate had
Republican majority. and therefore also con-
trolled the finances of the State. The chair
man of the Senate Finance Committee in 1891
Senator Sloan of Oswego, a very economi-
cal man.
'The tax rate of this year" said Mr.. Aids,
will be less than that of 1891 and people VIII
have to go back to 1855 to find smaller one.
We shall try to make it IL mills, the rate in
1850 but 1t may be slightly above that. But
we now know that 1t will be less than 1as, as
in 1891
Governor Odell is Justly entitled to praise
for this forthcoming low State tax rate. not
only because he specifically. in his annual mes
sage to the Legislature. recommended that ad-
ditional taxes be imposed upon insurance and
trust companies and other corporations, ana
that the surplus of savings banks be taxed, but
also has taken an active part In the framing
of the appropriation acts of the Legislature.
THE GOVERNORS BUSINESSLIKE POLICY.
Already the Governor has inspected the Cen
eral Appropriation act appropriating $4,000
000 and taken out the items which he thought
Objectionable. and he intends to read the Supply
BILL which appropriates 50. O0O and the Sup
Elemental Supply bill in the same manner. 1t
is also an open secret that the Governor was
consulted about the amount that should be ap
propriated in the bill which has been passed for
the erection of new buildings by the State Com
mission In Lunacy and reduced that amount
from 81 100000 to SI50.0O0. The maintenance
account OF the State Commission In Lunacy has
also been reduced by him without harm TO the
institutions in it's care. The Governor intends
that the State tax rate shall express precisely
the amount OF appropriations to which he will
give his consent. No money will be needlessly
raised by needlessly large tax rate founded
surely veto. The Governor has kept In touch
with the legislature and It's finance committees.
and. as business man intending TO give a busfz-
nesslike administration. has therefore been in
a position to enforce economy and wise
of the States funds. When the appropriation
acts come into his hands he will understand
just as thoroughly the members OF the legis-
lature the character Of the various items in
those bills, and the necessity for the expenditure
OF money proposed.
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS
The total appropriations made by the legis-
lature." said Senator Higgins to-day will be
about S22200000 That is about 81 600 600 less
than last year You can hardly. in such a big
State as this. with many institutions in its
care, keep down the appropriations to a sum less
than that Besides. we have tried to exercise our
economies in wise sprit-not TO be too niggard-
iy or to embarrass any department by cutting
its appropriation too low. We probably could
give the State lower tax rate than we will
give IL we should estimate the income from the
new taxation laws at a greater sun, than ,a
do. But think it is best to be conservative
not TO rely upon the maximum sum II is esti-
mated these laws will bring but rather the
minimum sum- The bills taxing trust COM
paiies' savings banks and insurance companies
1t is believed will bring in $3,OOOOOO Then we
nave an amendment to the General CORPORATION
Tax law, providing for the taxation of mann
featuring corporations. which 1t is thought will
bring in 100000. Our plans for the tax rate
were rather upset yesterday by the pronosal for
the expenditure of 100000 in the purchase Of
lands on the Palisades for the Palisades State
Park"
What will be the amount of the direct State
taxation this year. Senator Higgns?" inquired
The Tribune correspondent.
About S7.OOO,OOO," answered Senator t1,oo,rs
The direct State tax levied last wear was
slo'o4. .lo3 39 In recent years the FOLLOWING
amounts In direct State taxes have been levied