The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-04-05

HON. WILLIAM CHANDLER.
[Chairuan OF the House Committee on Rail
roads,
selves and then undertake to reform
their ways and lay out a different de-
sign on the trCstle 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 80 new laws
have been enacted. The people have
the remedy i'm their own hands and
until they apply it they should he
sparing Of their criticism OF the legiS-
lature for dilatOriOusness during the
first three months Of the session. They
need not loOl, for any relief rs long as
the constitution remains unchanged.
Railroad Tax Bills.
The hearings of the numerous rail
road tax bills, SO-called, which were
adjourned Il 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
his say. These hearings are presided
over by Chairman Chandler OF the
house railroad committee, who has
given much time and study to the sub
ject, and who is the author of one Of
the principal bills under discussion:
The bill not only applies to the pro
perty of railroad companies. but also
to that Of telegraph, telephone and eX-
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 Vaiorem Basis.
The Chandler bill provides for the
taxation Of the property of the several
classes of companies named on an al
valorem basis, but this is not the only
one that is being considered. There
are several more along the same lines,
and i'm addition Representative Mccall
is making a 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 a great deal Of favor by
many legislators, and there is no doubt
that determined effort Will be made
to give it the right of way over the ad
valorem tax bill. The argument made
j. that II 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 if taxed on an ad
valorem basis under the Cooley ap-
praisement, and then fOreclose all
trouble or question of constitutionality
with its incidental delays and eX-
pensive litigation by increasing the
rates TO figure that Will produce the
revenue desired. Notwithstanding this
sentiment, however, the chances are
altogether i'm favor OF the enactment
of an al valorem law.
Interurban Road To BE Considered.
The railroad tax bills are not the
only railroad measures that will be
considered this week. n hearing hav
Ing been set for Thursday morning or
The Chandler bill bringing electric