The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-03-02
PROVIDES FOR TAX
ON SLEEPING CARS
Senator Morgan Introduces
Measure That Reaches Pull
man Company

| If a bill introduced by Senator Nor
gan yesterday becomes law, sleeping
| car companies operating sleepers on
| railroads within this state will pay a
| gross earnings tax. The bill is de-
signed to affect the Pullman company,
and not railroads owning their sleep
ing and dining cars, as the railroads
| pay gross earnings tax.
The bill provides that sleeping car
companies shall on July of each year
| file with the state auditor certain in
formation relative to the company and
its business, such as the location of its
| principal Office, the amount of it's cap
ital stock, the total length of the lines
of road its cars are operated over and
| its mileage of transit in Minnesota.
The state board of equalization shall
constitute board of appraisers which
shall assess the property of the sleep
ing car companies. The value of the
companies property shall be ascer-
tanned by dividing the value of the
equipment by the total mileage and
multiplying the result by the mileage
in Minnesota over which the cars are
operated. The bill was referred to the
committee on taxes and tax laws.
Divorce Bill Endorsed
Senator Gjertsen's divorce bill was
recommended for passage in commit
tee of the whole, but not until Senator
Morgan had attached an amendment
forbiddfng the guilty from remarrying
within one year from the granting of
the divorce
Under the present law neither party
can remarry until six months have
elapsed since the divorce Senator
GJertsen did not object to the amend
ment, though he thought it would do
no good, remarking that the law
would not prevent the guilty party
from remarrying the very next day in
another state.
The bill allows a divorce On two
additlonal grounds, to wit: A sentence
to the reformatory and the habitual
use of cocaine or other drugs.
A bill by Senator Jepson provides
Tor the payment of claims against the
state for animals killed under the
Krostue law of 1903, which the attorney
general holds has been repealed. 1t
reappropriates $4,000 and was re-
ierred to the committee on public
health.
Senator Mausten is the author of a
bill enumerating the qualifications of
rallroad locomotive engineers The
measure requires that man employed
as locomotive engineer must have
had three years experience as a loco
motive fireman or one year as an engi-
neer. Employing a man as an engi-
neer who has not had this experience
| is declared to be misdemeanor pun
ishable by fine of not less than 500
or more than 5000, or Imprisonment
| from so to 80 days
The bill was referred to the railroad
| committee, which subsequently laid II
over Members of the committee ex-
pressed the opinion that the measure
emanated from the engineers' union
and that the measure was uncalled for,
as the railroad companies found 1t to
tnelr own interest to employ none but
competent engineers.
Senate Passes Seven Bills
The senate turned its attention to
the calendar and passed seven bills
House bill No. 107, a substitute for
senator Campbells bill providing for
the consolidation of any private Gem
etery, plated and recorded, with an ad-
Jacent public cemetery, was passed. So
was the bill by the committee on drain
age, establishing state drainage COM
mission and providing for the draining
OF the swamp and marshy land of
the state
The house bill by Representative
floWer, bringing members elect to the
passed without negative vote
The senate likewise passed Senator
WILSON'S Dill, making DEGREES of heir
ship prima facie evidence; Senator
Rleke's bill requiring village treasurers
TO make and post or publish annual
statements: Senator Collister's bill re-
lating to the framing of charters by
cities OF 10000 inhabitants or less. and
Senator Stones bill to abolish highway
LABOR assessment, to require road over
seers of highways and to provide for
their appointment by the town board
of supervisors
On general orders, the committee of
the Whole recommended for passage
Senator Gjertsen's bill providing for a
separate ballot on the adoption of a
CITY charter or amendments thereto.
Senator Torson's measure authorizing
the extension of school district bound
aries and Senator Gjertsens bill re-
curing written promises to revive debts
barred by bankruptcy.
The senate adjourned until 10 a m.
today.
New Senate Bills
s. F. No. 245: BY Laugen-Legalizing
acts OF village councils in giving musical
entertainments. judiciary.
.. r NO. 246: BY Jepson--Validating
acts performed under section 14I, laws OF
l9oS, referring to killing of animals. Pub
S. F. No. 247;: BY Putnam-Legalizing
Incorporation of villages under Chapter
l4S; general laws of 1855. judiciary.
s. F. No. PAS: BY Coller-Legalizing
iioa a indebtedness in cities of 10, 600,
and authorizing issue of bonds to paw
same. Municipal corporations.
5. F. No. 2i9: BY Thorpe-ReguIating
lhe issue OF warehouse receipts. Grain
s. F. No $50: BY Mausten-Regulatiu ting
qualifications of locomotive engineers
Railroads.
s.. F. No. PSI: BY Morgan--Providing
method of taxation for sleeping car COM
panies in Minnesota. Taxes.
5. +. No. 252: BY Misunderstanding a
water and light board in villages having
water and light plant Municipal cor
porations.
ANH.COCAINF law