Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-12
vsl.. s1s-ssa.

contrary to organic law, therefore, to tax
one set Of these corporations on their
tangible property and gross earnings both,
simply because they have a larger volume
Of tangible property. He called 1t double
taxation.
Wilson OF Pawnee then observed that
thero we're f'some people who shy at the
word corporation the minute they hear
It like a wild horse at a street car" AS a
member Of the committee that framed the
bill. he pleaded for the Gilbert amend
ment.
LOOMS Opposes Amendment,
LOOMS of Dodge, fusion leader and one
of the authors Of the revenue bill, made a
strong and logical argument against the
amendment, contending that the constitu-
tion specifically warranted the classification
and method proposed in the bill, that OF
directly taxing the tangible property and
franchise separately. Loomis brought out
the point that the proposition embodied in
the Gilbert amendment was presented to
the joint revenue committee by Sweezy OF
Adams, one OF it's members, and wac then
denomInated the 'Sweezy idea"
ut is true.' said Mr.. LOomis, that rep
resentatives Of the Omaha Street Railway
company. did, appear before our COMMITTEES
and argue that this amendment idea would
tend to raise their taxes and was desired
by them to enable them to escape politics
and litisation,
II think there is something else back OF
this" continued Mr.. Loomis. 81 think
II 10 contained in those, figures quoted by
Mr.. Kennedy. I don't think these corpora
ticns hate politics or spend any extra
money for litigation over these things. They
have lawyers paid by the year, and that is
no argument =.
LOOMS thought the only change to make
would be to subject telephone companies
to the same method OF taxation as pro-
posed in the bill. taking 1t out OF section
= 7e, providing for the gross birmingham
ohlse tax.
After further remarks by spurlock, Ken
nedy again took the floor and in a defense
OF direct franchise assessment as op-
posed to that method contained in the GIL
bert amendment, he took occasion to re-
ply to a remark made by DR.. Wilson and
an excited period ensued.
starts the Fireworks.
"I want to notice a fling made at me by
the gentleman from Pawnee, who said
SHE'D every time. 1 heard the word cor
poratioh.' That is the second such fling
made at me under similar circumstance
anu 4 want 70 say IL Is rather singular tnal
the FIRST fling was made by a local Elkhorr
attorney"
stop right there" excitedly interposed
Douglas OF Rock, who had been struck.
do you know that to be q fact?" he
demanded, will evident excitement.
Aren't you a local attorney for thai
roadf' asked Kennedy.
II say, do you know that to be a fact?'
retorted Douglas.
NO. and IL 1t is not true I'll withdraw
the statement. but / understand tina yoU
we're once employed by that road" ~rejOinet
Kennedy.
But" continued the lone Douglas fu.
%sionist. II am credihly informed that tn,
gentleman over there ~(pointing to Wilson.
p a paid Burlington surgeon. Am
wrong? II SO. / will withdraw that, too.
he said.
You can say anything you want Il
about me-" said Wilson; II don't care"
And l don't care what you say abou
me-" rejOlned Kennedy. And I want L
say that there are som people who