New-York tribune., 1905-04-21
WOULD SEIZE GAS PLANTS
OPPOSES MORTG1GE TAX.
Lively Times Nth the RepubIic0'
County Committee

The regular monthly meeting Of the Repub-
lican County Committee held in the United
Charities Building last night. lively one.
There was a wordy wrangle over the gas situa-
ton, and resolutions and suggestions were
banded around freely. The Mortgage Tax bill
came in for opposition. 1t had a few defenders.
but on vote a unanimous resolution
passed asking the Governor to veto the bill. A
resolution was offered providing for seizure
of the gas properties in this city by right OF
eminent domain. Another resolution was
offered that a committee of five be appointed to
confer with the legislative committee now in
vestigating the gas situation The arguments
waxed warm. but finally the resolution was
passed. The Governors suggestion for tax
commission to revise the tax laws and devise
definite and stable system Of taxation for New
York was Endorsed.
James A. Allen. member OF the committee
from the eth District. was the one to start the
gas agitation. He suggested that the city take
over the gas properties by right Of eminent do
main.
Mr.. Allen said the present water supply and
the workings of the water system were very
satisfactory and he could not understand why,
IL the water system worked to the satisfaction
Of the citizens OF New-York, the gas system
could not also be made to work the same way.
Congressman Herbert Parsons said there was
no question that so interested the rank and file
OF Republicans in New-York as the gas inquiry.
THE question Of municipal ownership" he said
'is going to be settled. and I believe in our
generation"
DO you think a reduction Of 20 or % cents
IN the price OF gas would reduce the bills?'
asked Abraham Gruber. why, we arc paying
as much for gas at dollar as We formerly paid
at $125"
Brother Gruber knows almost everything,
w'l admit; but did not know that he knew
about gas said L. Z. Quigg.
4 made speeches for you in three cam
paigns" retorted Mr.. Gruber and this raised
laugh.
The question OF taxation was raised. after
John c. Coleman, who said the tax laws Of the
State had been in an unsettled condition for
long time, and might be described as patchwork.
EX-JuStice Ernest Hall said the tax laws needed
revising moro than any other laws on the
statute books William c. Wilson offered the
resolution urging the Governor to veto the Mort
gage Tax bill.
I'VE ought to have a revision of the tax laws
of the State" said Mr.. Gruber. Many large
corporations, by special legislation, now escape
the tax on personal property that they should
be Obliged to pay
Charles F. Bostwicl1 said that If the bill were
signed il would only produce 81 500 600, of which
oDe-half would go to the State and the other
half to the locality in which the tax was col
lected. This, he urged, would give only $780,
600 10 the State for State purposes and out Of
nearly the entire amount in collecting the tax
The resolution urging the Governor to veto
the Mortgage Tax bin says in part:
The burden OF this tax will be placed on the
borrowing classes, and the machinery provided
TO give effect to the bill is believed to be i'm
practicable and unbusinesslike, and in the col
lection Of the tax hereunder will greatly dis
turb economic and business conditions"