The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-16
Every Effort Will Be Made to Keep
the Track Clear for Tax
Legislation.
Legislators Out to Make CAMPAIGN
Records Will Be Blocked
Caucus Will Rule.

Advocates Of the new tax code, which
will be adopted or rejected by the legis-
lature in extra session next month, ex-
pect to see the measure put through in
ten days or two weeks, and without in
furious amendments. -y@
They admit that large element in both
houses of the legislature is intending to
tear the bill wide open, and to overwhe1m
it with amendments. If the contemplated
program is carried out, however, the bill
will go through almost unscathed.
An extra session cannot be handled like
the regular ninety-day affair. 1t comes
just before state campaign, and to pro-
tract it, or to pass a bad bill, would mean
disaster for the republican party, which
has big majority in both houses.
Business must be rushed, and the repub-
lican members of both houses must steer
to a definite course, in order to make
the session successful "
Caucus Action Will Rule.
Caucus action will rule, unless the "hy.
ing squadron" shows its hand and bids
defiance by refusing to enter into a eau.
Gus agreement.
The legislature is called to meet Feb
4. An effort will be made to secure a full
attendance of republican members or
Monday evening, Feb. 3. This will be
preliminary to series of caucuses. A
resolution will be introduced that even.
ing, binding the republican members tt
ever date the caucus decides on will bt
put through the next day in the form O
joint resolution This Will make it i'm
possible to drag the session out beyont
a specified time, and will make it ,neces
sary for the members to get down to bust
ness and stay there. "A likely date fol
the adjournment is Friday, Feb. Fl. Thi!
will give practically three weeks for work
s Limit ON legislation. ~.
This first caucus may also decide on {
resolution limiting the introduction o
bills to tax matt ers, except on recommen'
dalton of the governor. This will shut tn,
gates on general legislation. It will holt
the houses down to the tax code and sucl
emergency measures as the governor re-
quests. The plan will also head off bill
present ed by legislators who are to com,
UP for reelection and want to make
record purely for campaign purposes
Much legislation of this sort is alread,
contemplated.
aYf mo oh A hot
convene at II O'Clock. The former organ
ization will be undisturbed, except in cas-
| of officers who do not care to return. /
| message from the governor will then b.
presented, in which he will introduce tn
| report Of the tax commission With thi
report will come the new tax code AM
the bill for amendment Of the constitu
ton. These bills will be introduced il
each house in regular form. The chair
men Of the committee on taxes and ia.
laws will probably perform the Office, A
R. McGill in the senate, and c. L. Wal
| lace in the house.
At the same time host of amendment
will probably appear. Copies Of the ney
law are now in the hands of members
many of whom will have changes to sug
gest. They will have them drawn in tn
| form of amendments, ready to introduce
the first day or DO. All will be referret
| to the tax committees, which will proba
bly, handle the various topics through sub
committees.
Amendments Considered in Caucu.
| Another republican caucus will conside
| these amendments, and agree on their re
lection or adoption. Bound by caucu
action, the amendments will be added t.
! the bill or go down to defeat.
BY working evenings in caucus and day
in committee Of the whole, the bill can b.
put through in short order. Then If tim
remains some general legislation may b.
accomplished, the amendment of the boart
of control bill, for instance. 1t is ex
pected that the governor, in his message
will ask an appropriation to help the at
torney general in fighting the Northern
Securities case. This can be passed II
| five minutes.
This Is the program of those member
l
who mean business. 1t is believed to hav
the sanction of the governor in a genera
way He has heard from number o
legislators within a week. nearly all com
mending the new tax code, and favorinl
! prompt action on it. The governor will
not ask that the Legislature pass the bill
word for word. as It comes to them. but h
| is in favor Of the system as whole, AM
will use his influence not to have it Grip
pied.
The strongest opposition will come from
1.-THE public service corporations. who vii
be hard hit by the franchise tax. It Is no
believed, however, that they will max
any strenuous efforts to knock out thi
feature. II they take any hand, It will b
to cripple the measure in an indirect way
State Auditor Dunn suggested in re
cent interview In The Journa tina
i the attendance Of the three tax commits
sioners be secured 1t the capitol d,arin