Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-03-20
The Senate Makes Important Changes
in the Revenue Bill.
lDenYer Times.l

| ihS udy vi Niouudy.
The conferees will have an unpleas-
ant task before them. The bills of
the two houses are very unlike.
The senate has made changes in the
house bill of very material kind
changes that affect the measure in
principle and effect. 1t seems well
nigh impossible at this time for con-
ference committee to harmonize the
vastly conflicting opinions and some
are predicting that the confrees will
have to report n disagreement. A del
icate part of this matter will be the
selection Of conferees. Unless both
bodies are very astute in this regard
the assembly will be in session two
weeks longer
Even IL the conferees agree within
a reasonable time when their report
is made to the two houses long dis
cussion on the adoption of 1t may en-
sue.
The extra session is not out of the
woods as yet by any means. There
are more breakers ahead
The chief change made In the rev.
enue bill by the senate as 1t came
from the house is that relating to
mining.
The senate adopted substitute for
the mining sections which are as un-
like the house sections as night is un-
like day.
The house provisions provided for
the taxation of mines on a basis of
100 per cent on the net output while
the old law provided for 25 per cent
OH the gross The senate has just
adopted sections which provide that
the mines shall be taxed at % per
cent on the gross, except in cases
where the net proceeds are in excess
of % per cent of the gross proceeds.
| This Is designed to catch the bonanza
mines and let off the low producers
easy.
In reaching the tax upon the net
proceeds, the senate adds to the
items to be substracted. under the
house provision, the cost of labor.
The house bill provided that pro-
tiucing mines shonld be taxed on their
total net proceeds. The senate makes
the taxes 25 per cent of the gross pro
ceeds. except in cases where the net
proceeds are in excess Of % per cent
of the gross proceeds.
The house provided that the non
producing mines should be taxed on
valuation not exceeding SO per cent
of the lowest producing mine in the
county. The senate reduces this to
25 per cent of the lowest producing
mine in the locality.
Another radical change in the
house bill made by the senate is that
which takes away from the county
commissioners the power to review
the work of the county assessor ex-
cept for equalization. Under this as
sessment the county commissioners
cannot change the total or aggregate
assessment fixed by the assessor in
the county. Thus the taxpayer who
believes that he is overtaxed must
appeal to the courts. This is vital
change and goes to the heart of the
bill 1t is not believed that the house
will agree to this any more than 1t
viii agree to the radical change In
the mining section.
The senate also eliminated the Mar
tin amendment which permitted the
consideration of other evidence than
the market value of stocks and bonds
in arriving at valuation for assess
ment.
The fiat tax is made to apply to
companies incorporated for over
$40, 900, the house minimum being
$25, 900.
ance companies.
The senate amendment specifically
denies the state board of equalization
the power to assess street railways,
electric roads, tramways, etc.
1t specifically provides that county
assessors shall assess the Intangible
values ol inter-county corporations.
County assessors are compelled TO
furnish an itemized list Of all proper
ty assessed in their counties, and pub
lie utility corporations are required
business to assessors.
The meetings and records of the
state board of equalization are to be
public hereafter.
Thus it will be seen that there is
more work before the conferees than
both houses have done during the
forty-seven days that the extra has
been in session. II their work is moi
done with almost super-human sagac
. ity the two houses will reject 1t and
send them back to do it all ovei
again.
Some important amendments to the
bill were made yesterday afternoon
/ during the closing hours Of considera
ton in committee of the whole of the
J senate.
Senator Barela had adopted ar
amendment giving the state BOARD o
equalization the power to summon any
I. assessor to testify regarding his as
g sessment The Schweigert amend
: ment changing the form of tax sal,
+ certificates was adopted also.
] Mr.. Seldomridge had adopted yer!
important amendment affecting in