Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-29
TEST ON FRATERNAL TAXES
Higklandsrs Appeal from the Decision Of
the District Court,
BATTLESHlP NEBRASKA IS DELAYED
Builders Unable TO say when e. VIII
4 he Completed. a. Government IL
slow Providing Il with
Ordnance.
TTLEsHlP NEBRASKA is DELAYED
fFrom a staff Correspondent


LINCOLN, March 2S.-(Special.)-A brief
was filed this afternoon in behalf Of the
Royal Highlanders to prevent the taxation
OF their reserve fund. The lower court OF
Hamilton county decided against the order.
The order claims exemption from taxation
on the following grounds:
!. The entire property sought TO be here
taxed Is used exclusively for charitaole
purposes"
J. The legislative and executive depart
ments continuously and without question
for thirty years since the adoption OF our
constitution. and under the identical statute
now in force, construed that constitution
and statute to exempt from taxation the
property Of fraternal beneficiary associa-
lions used exclusively for the purposes OF
said association, and such construction and
exposition is conclusively binding both upon
the state and the courts.
3 The appellant, in arriving at the
amount of the credits, II any, which II was
required to return for taxation. had the
right to take an account of It's business
and deduct its outstanding liability from
the amount Of the Items listed in classes
and 4.
In the argument in support OF their con-
tenuon the attorneys for the lodge say
among other things;
The question here presented TO the court
is a, new one Never, so far as we are able
year 1906 made any attempt to tax the
mortuary funds of a fraternal beneficiary
association. Nebraska enjoys the unique
distinction OF being the pioneer in this
movement No other state has thus far
seen 1T TO follow its lead. On the con-
trary. our sister states have proceeded on
the rational theory that the provision made
by these societies is the best possible pro-
lection for the dependents provident safe
guard against a day of certain disaster;
that II is the greatest aid to the state yet
devised to reduce TO a minimum poverty,
dependence and crime, and for these reasons
merits and should receive all possible en-
enlargement from the state.
Nebraska waits on ordnance.
Governor Mickey this morning received a
letter from Moran Brothers, builders Of
the battleship Nebraska, stating the con-
tractors could not tell when the ship would
be ready for commission. The governor
some time ago wrote to the firm asking
when the ship would be ready for commits
sion and the letter received this morning
was in reply to that The reason no date
can be fixed, the letter stated was be-
cause the government has to furnish the
ordnance material, and there is no telling
when this will be ready for the vessel
Were the material on the ground now, the
letter stated. the vessel could be finished
within six months
Good Times for Treasury.
Based on the amount OF money invested
for the state treasury in the history Of the
state. During that time Treasurer Nor
tenson has invested 100000. against S2s2. OOC
invested for the same period last year
Today $4,000 in warrants was taken up by
the treasurer. Under the provisions Of the
| Sheldon bill enacted into law by the late
| legisa ture there has been collected Sis, 900
and this sum represents a portion of the
| big investments.
Notwithstanding this enormous amount
of money invested. which seems to indi.
cate a large amount Of prosperity, this
state debt still hovers around the s2,oO0OO
mark. with little indication OF any material
reduction during the year. About the tim,
the bills contracted by the last Legislature
are all paid up then another legislator,
will begin. and thus there will be more
bills to pay.
Pollard COnfers with Friends.
Congressman Pollard is still in Lincolr
and during the day he conferred with
number of politicians and business mci
relative to his candidacy. Since it becam,
known that he was going to have opposi
ton Mr.. Pollard said he had receive,
many letters from over the district an,
even from Lancaster county, assuring hin
OF support and asserting that he would b.
given a second term.
Chairman Teegarden left for his hom
this morning and-will return to atten,
the committee meeting a week from Fri
day night. 1t has not been decided whethe
a primary will be called but many of Pol
lards friends are urging him to thi
course.
Agriculture In Junior NOrmaIa.
Agriculture will be taught in the JUNO
normal schools of the state this summe
and the instructors will be supplied fror
the Agricultural college at the expens
of the university. This suggestion, cam
from Prof. A. e. DAWSON, principal of tn
college, in a letter to Superintendent Nc
Brien. At a meeting held recently tn
letter was discussed by Chancellor An
drews. Prof. Davisson. s. H. Thompson G
Holdrege. Superintendent McBrien, Deput
Superintendent Bishop and G. II. Thoma
of McCook, and the suggestions made
the letter were adopted.
Clearing House Organised.
Representatives Of the Lincoln banks, eS
eept the Farmers and Merchants met a
the Lincoln hotel last evening and OF
|