New-York tribune., 1903-01-23
EAGER FOR A DECISION.
HASTE OYER TAX LAW.
CORPORATIONS 4Lso Wish Case Settled
Nee Plans Of 7'aration.
Ipy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

Albany, Jan. 22.-Attorney General Cunneen .hdo
as a visitor to-day Frank H. Platt- of New-York,
counsel the forty-seven corporations that are
contesting in the State courts the constitution
ality of the Franchise Tax act Mr.. Platt In
formed Attorney General Cunneen that the cor
porations concerned in the contest over the law
were as eager as he to bring the attention OF
the Court of Appeals Immediately to the law
briefs relating the consttutionality of the act
and have argument made before the court upon
them Mr. Platt added that the lawyers OF the cor
porations would do all they could to aid the Attor-
ney General in bringing the case swiftly before
the Court of Appeals AS much as the state au-
thorities, they desirous of obtaining oe-
cision early date by the Court OF Appears.
Mr. Patt subsequently said that ever since the
contest over the act began in the courts the law
years of the corporation had been desrous OF mas
tenng the action of the courts upon the test cases
He thought the Attorney General IN ABOUT ten
days might be ready to appear before the Court
of Appeals. submit his appeal from the decision
of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court
and ask Chief Justice Parker to put the case upon
the preferred calendar. 1t is hoped that the court
of Appeals may be able to give decision oy APrh
/ The legislature will certainly be here upon that
date and if any legislation is needed TO perfect
the law or it is necessary to pass some SUBSTITUTE
for it in view the Court of Appeals decision leg
islation can be prepared. There may be neeu Vi
passing laws to enable various localities TO pay
back to corporations money paid by them in pay
ment of taxes imposed by authority of the Fran
chise Tax act. The legislature also, in view or the
nature decision of the Court of Appeals, mas
it necessary to pass some new measure OF taxa
tion.
Senator Green the chairman of the Senate Com
mittee on Taxation and Retrenchment said to-day
that the bill or bills amending the Franchise Tax
act recommended by Governor Odell would not De
submitted by him to the legislature early next
week II is highly doubtful if any amendatory
acts will be passed prior TO the decision Oh the
Court of Appeals. There was a feeling here
among leading members Of the legislature to-day
that the Court of Appeals may uphold the constl-
tutionaity Of the law. Possibly this feeling was
based upon the fact that the Appellate DIVISION OF
the Supreme Court only decided tnat the act 10
unconstitutional by vote OF TO Z -
While the Republican leaders do not wish to
submit to S ns & %bch mond pTo1oke de-
bates they intend to bring forward az once if Tax
6 ThGh they It tfk is hat the first Of
these measures, bill providing for stamp tax on
ate on Monday night. 1t is said it will also pro
vide for stamp tax on all papers @ ssieu i,Sca ny q
and, in fact all papers exGeptlng realty sggeste3
filed with county clerks Inc GoVepn9r b tb i9e9me
from it anticipated to be only SIOoo o Now o ~ ~
is said there is a hope of obtaining Sz'""'VVo oy
Senator Green had consultation with Governor
is exhibiting great interest on the suoJect' as IL
is his keen desire TO continue the presenT almost @
So, 5,000 600 in indirect revenue must be dls-
covered If direct State taxation is to be avoided
legislature it is expected will exert their influence
quietly to prevent the passage of any more ndlrect
Republican party assume again the responsibility
Of direct taXaten Senator Grady the Dem4eTatc nc
impede the swift transaction Of business in the h
Democrats to speedy work on legislative measures
of importance will continue. The Republican leaders
o Ta an are ii nG of the at an
extremely early date, and they are resolved to pass
If they nave stay here until summer.