The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1902-01-23
Have Assembled and Are Grinding Out
the Many Important Bills.
The Two-Cent Fare Which Usually Bobs Up, Will be
Up Again to Meet the Same Fate.

chairman of the finance committee, and
Ralph d. Cole of Hancock chairman
of the taxation committee. Both were
vigorous supporters of McKinnon and
Cole placed him in nomination. The
only committee outside of these which
seems we'll determined is that of mu-
nicipal corporations. This will un-
doubtedly go to A. G. Comings of Lo-
rain county, speaker pro tenn. of the
house and a pronounced Hanna man.
This Is really the only genuine recog-
milton, it would seem, the ultra Hanna
people are to get in the house. The
Democratic members, being in the mi
nority, have not pressed their claims
with any special fervor. But 1t is rec
ognized that Clement L. Brumbaugh
of Darke county, the leader on the
floor, will be recognized in substan-
tial way and given places on one or
two committees Of importance, and
probably chairman Of minor one.
Both parties In their last state con-
ventions endorsed and recommended
change in the existing tax laws. The
promises made then were such as
neither can get away from, if there
were disposition to do so, especially
since back of this important question
| Is a powerful public sentiment. There
fore 1t is probable that among the
early bills introduced will be one deal
ing with this vital and necessary mat
ter. The one thing recognized by all
Is that corporations are not now bear
ing their just proportion of the public
burden and the fundamental princi-
pie of any measure introduced will be
such readjustment of taxes as to in
crease the amount paid by corpora
tions of all kinds and particularly
those of "public utility" character
such as railroads, telegraph, tele-
phone and express companies. The
thing now most thought of is to place
q tax, probably OF one per cent upon
the gross earnings Of these institu-
tions. This would greatly increase
the public revenues and place the bur-
den where 1t would be the least keenly
felt. Governor Nash fayors such a
plan and 1t was he who first proposed
II. To obviate any difficulty In secur-
ing correct returns as to the earnings
Of the companies Tom L. Johnson Of
Cleveland has under way bill giving
to county or state auditors or any
authorized Official the right to exam
ine the books of these corporations at
| any time and inflicting severe pun
ishment for failure to respond to the
| demands of these officers.
Two cent fare, which, regularly bobs
up in every session. is coming again
In this and undoubtedly will meet the
same fate. The Cuyahoga members
are back Of bill compelling every
railroad company in the state to as
sess straight two cent mile rate.
The chief argument used in favor of
this will be that while, during the
lrst forty years, Ohio railroads have
frequently reduced freight rates, there
has been nodiminution in the passen-
| ger fares, although the amount of
travel has constantly increased and
returns show that at two-cent rate
there would still be comfortable
margin to pace on the right side of
the ledger. Michigan and New York,
which both have the two-cent fare, will
be used as examples to show that the
result has been one of profit to the
railroad companies and that this has
been done without impairment to the
service or reduction in the wages of
the employees. Talk Of two-cent fare
always acts as an alarm to the rail-
roads and the powerful lobby which
has heretofore worked the defeat Of
similar measures will be in evidence
again this year. The chief contention
OF the railroad companies Is that by
the reduction of passenger rates there
would come a reduction in earnings
which could only be met in one or two
ways-a decrease in the efficiency of
the service or scaling down of the
wages of employees. This claim de-
feated the Valentine bill in 1898.
Municipal oV nership of public util.
tiles such as street railways, tele.
! phone, etc, will be another matter of
legislative discussion, the chief i'm
| petus to which will be given by Mayor
johnson of Cleveland. 1t is not looked
to make more than a start this time,
but the way may be paved to n future
fulfllment of this dream of many re-
formers. The opening wedge was put
In a few days ago, through the intro
duction Of bill giving to city coun-
ellis the right to purchase street rail
ways. IL approved by a vote of the
people. Should this pass, an immedi.
ate EFFORT will be made In Cleveland
to buy the different lines there and
upon the strength of this experiment
1t is believed the benefit Of the plan
will be strongly impressed upon the
people and lead to universal adoption
!
Few better bits OF oratory have ever
been heard in the legislature than
were listened to there Tuesday In the
speeches nominating Joseph B. For
Aker and Charles w. Baker, both OF
Cincinnati, for the United States sen,
ate. In the house Prof. Frank B,
Willis of Hardin presented Foraker's
name ON behalf of the Republicans
and G. l.. Brumbaugh of Darke, Mr..
Bakers for the Democrats. In the
senate Warren G. Harding Of Marion
and John G. Boyer OF Tifin performed
the same service. The speeches were
all euloglstic of the men. filed with
eloquence and alive with wit. but none