Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-02-06
PLAN TO BOOST
TAXES ON MINES

A distinct movement is under way in
the Seventh legislature TO raise the tax
levy on big corporations. 1t has taken
many forms, but the most recent Is In
the practical suggestion from Gov. cut
Ter. giving names of prominent tax
dodgers" and companies which escape
through defects OF the law, whether
aided and abetted by their own efforts
or not.
The communication calls attention
TO the conditions and suggests that
some appropriate action be taken.
Earlier IN the session Speaker Joseph
tathered a house concurrent resolution.
providing for committee on inVestiga-
lion. The senate killed the measure. on
the grounds that q legislative commit
Tee had no time during the session 10
undertake such an extensive inquiry.
Senator John Y. Smith has called at
tontion 10 the condition In talking with
senate members, and Is reported TO be
preparing a bill to take the taxation OF
mines out of the hands of county as
SCISSORS and put 1t In the hands OF .
state board with power to investigate
The communication of Gov. Cutler,
y hich has been sent In to both houses
of the legislature, Is as follows
GOVERNORS LETTER.
81 beg to enclose, for the informa,
ton of your honorable body. state
ment from the treasurer OF Salt Lake
county. showing the amount of taxes
paid by certain corporations In the
county. From this statement l am led
to believe that not all corporations are
paying their just proportion of tax.
Doubtless similar showing would be
made. II fuller statements were OBJ
tanned from him. and from the treasur-
ers OF other counties, / would suggest
that you investigate this matter, with
the view of enacting legislation to se-
cure equitable taxation of the various
corporations In the state.
II observe that bill has been intro
duced In the house OF representatives
To license all corporations, domestic
and foreign, doing business In the state.
j approve OF such a measure. provided
Il can be made TO apply TO all corpora
lions doing business in the state
through commercial travellers, as this
would secure considerable revenue from
houses that are doing business IN the
state but are paying practically nothing
for the support of the state government.
In this connection, II anything can
be done 10 obtain revenue from the
large mall order houses operating I'm the
state from abroad. and paying nothing
IN the way Of tax or license. II would
be very desirable. or course you UNI
derstand that all legislation along these
lines must be very carefully guarded
In order TO be able 10 stand the oonstl-
tutlonal test, and not conflict with tho
provisions OF tho interstate commerce
act
II shall be- pleased TO confer with
your committee on ways and means, or
with any or the members OF your hon
orable body, as may be desired
Accompanying the communication IL a
1851 or the amount OF taxes paid by
several OF the largest corporations do
Ing business In Salt Lake county. pre-
pared by County Treasurer J. A. Groes-
beck, az follows.
United states Mines s. smelt.
Ing ,,.,.,.,.....,..,..,n.3 15,756s2
Utah Consolidated Mining co. 5o,27G92
Bingham Consolidated Mining
Co, .,...,..,,-..,.,,,,,,,,,,,,. 7sTl3i
Utah Apex Mining Comm. rs. $50
American Smelling q Refining
90. ..,..,.,;;..,.,,......,.... 2LbsL11