The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-19
The Tax Bill Proper Makes It's First
Appearance Before That
Body.
Hennepin Members Propose First
Amendments Public Examin-
er's Situation.

The house spent an hour and a half
on the tax bill this morning without
reaching vote. The time was spent in a
debate between Messrs. Peterson and
Dobbyn of Minneapolis.
During the talk, however, list OF
amendments was submitted by Roberts
of Hennepin, and after the noon recess
the house got down, to business. The
Roberts amendments to the tax code are
forty-six in number. They are on COM
promise lines. They are not the result
of a general agreement, but will serve to
bring various questions before the house.
A large share of the amendments
modify the drastic and inquisitorial fea-
lures Of the bill, but Mr.. Roberts will not
press these. He stated that he would
support, instead, set to be submitted
by Mr.. Wallace. with the approval of the
tax commission. The Wallace amend
ments practically re-enact the provisions
Of the present law with reference to list
ing personal property. Those drawn by
Mr.. Roberts used the new law as basis.
They struck out the clause requiring
optional instead of compulsory for the
assessor to require the oath, and struck
out the provisions requiring the assessor
to subpoena and examine under oath the
agents Of corporations. s.
Mr.. Roberts first amendment restores
~
$100. Another amendment cures the OBJ
jections of building and loan associations
by permitting them to charge off against
their assets all obligations to stockhold-
ers. ~
He proposes several amendments to the
section on corporations. One excerpts
from the franchise tax corporations that
have not secured rights from muniucipali-
ties. This will relieve waterpower COM
panies which do only milling business
from paying a tax On their full capt.
talization. 1t also provides that mere
concession permitting such a company to
cross a street is not necessarily a fran
chise.
Eleven of the amendments relate to
Section 155, which provides for the col
objections made by county auditors and
objections made by county auditors and
treasurers. One, for instance, permits
checks to be mailed in payment Of taxes.
James A. Peterson opened the case fot
the bill in set speech of some thirty
minutes. He arraigned the present sys-
5of fbo
clared dramatically that the interests OPP
posed to the bill had been throwing dust
in the eyes of the people and had mis-
represented the measure.
Mr. Roberts then tried to get his
amendments before the house, but Mr..
Dobbyn insisted on answering his col
league. He defended the action and the
motives of those opposed to the bill, and
declared that if his objections were re-
moved he would gladly vote for it.
The constitutional convention bill is be-
fore the house. Mr.. Allen Of the judi
ciary committee got unanimous consent
to report it, but an attempt to give it it's
second reading and place on general or
ders failed. The tax bill has the right of
way.
The senate again demonstrated that it
is waiting for the house to pass the tax
bill. After voting not to abrogate the
rule regarding Introduction Of bills, the
senate trampled on the rule and the COM
mittee, several times. 1t Is predicted
that the rule will be amended tomorrow.
This will let in general legislation which
is likely to protract the session, The
lay the blame for the delay on
their tax committee. They want the bill
reported out so the Senate can make up
its mind on some points without waiting
for the action of the house. 1t is believed
that conference will be necessary. is
Saturday Is legal holiday and the
house is not likely to reach final vote
on the tax bill before Monday The SEN
ate may need the rest Of the week and the
amendments will take sew
eral days following the disposition of
the tax bill. Few expect a final adjourn
ment before March Z.
Members of the house Judiciary commit
tee say they can agree on bill for the
amendments in an hours
time if they can get the full committee
together.
The Wallace Amendment.
Mr.. Wallace proposed to offer his amend
ments this afternoon. They strike out the
nineteen sections of the code which are
termed drastic and inquisitorial. Sec
lions IL, SO, "a, 81, SO, 40. 46, 4s, 40, 81
and Sc are eliminated. The old law, as
it stands, is substituted for sections So.
SO, 40, H., AZ, 43, "A, Al and 81.
The First Amendment Passed.
This afternoon Mr.. Roberts called up