The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-04-28
INCORPORATION FEE RETURNED
Secretary of State Believes 1t Is
Not Required.

Secretary Of State Sam B. Cook has de-
clined to accept from the Louisiana Pur-
chase Exposition Company the fee usually
exacted OF corporations. This means q ma
terial saving to the company. as well as an
indication Of the attitude of the State Of
hcials towards the enterprise. Following is
the letter from Mr.. Cook explaining his po-
sition:
State Of Missouri DEPARTMENT OF State City
of Of Jefferson. April Is. lsel.7Mr. James L Blair.
whether or not the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
tion fee provided in Section s5s Revised Statutes
While the strict letter Of the law might exact
the payment Of this fee, am fully satisfied that
it could not have been the intention Of the Gen.
to impose upon it the taxes required Of corpora
tlons organized solely for pecuniary purposes.
nevoient. religious. scientific fraternal. bene-
fetal or educational purpose from its operations.
Justify the conclusion 1 think. that 1t was not
the intention to impose this corporation tax
Besdes sections OF the &C, sn,hor
izng the formation OF this company omits any
the Sf gs. To
certificate OF Incorporation to this company upon
agreement duly signed. acknowledged and re-
corded The act authorizing the organization OF
course had it expressly provided that the ordi-
nary corporation fees would not be exacted, but
think without such provision it is reasonable
to conclude that 1t not the purpose OF the
Legislature to impose this payment. Certainly
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition may properly
terprise No one will claim that its purpose is to
to make money for its stockholders Unless the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition is vastly different
from similar enterprises. the stockholders can
only hope to receive back small percentage Of
their subscriptions. much less to receive divi-
dent on their Investment. I cannot persuade
voted. by large majority. to donate TO this
great enterprise a million dollars. would want to
extend this generous aid with one hand and exact
flo foo ynrtf 10Th
public-sprited citizens Of st. Louis have SUBJ
scribed S5.o00.0m to make this Exposition one
aaent % S sesnrs ss ise ot
territory. In addition. st. Louis has voted five
millions in bonds to aid in this great work. The
A public enterprise Of such lofty purpose and
worthy OF such generous aid is not. in my iudg-
ment. corporation such as IL contemplated in
our statutes providing for the payment OF special
The only fee to which, in my judgment this
association is properly chargcable. Is for cer-
ea.s ths check u Of M. W. II. Thompson FOR ssoss.
tsisnedI ed SAM B. COOK
Mr. Blair replied Saturday as follows:
St. Louis. NO.. April q. l90l.-Honorable Sam
B. Cook, Secretary Of State. jefferson City, Mo-:
letter OF the 2Sth returning the check for $2.025
to pay for the corporation tax on the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition Company's Incorporation. At
of the incorporators of this organization their
grateful appreciation OF your action IN this
matter. The reasoning expressed In your letter
cirsion that an organization Of this magnitude.
formed for the broad and ublic,sririted purpose
only Of advancing the public welfare Of the city
ordinary tax exacted Of corporations formed
soIely for pecuniary profit seems to me to be con-
elusive. i am. very respectfully,