The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-01
AFTER DAYS WORK
Mr. LEITH WINS OUT
-
apvernor Returns the State Depository
Bill TO the House for Amendment.
Wants It Effective at Once.
Miller Bill Passes.
BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.
ontgomery. February 2s.-(Special)-
talking of the matter all the morn

nd voting down a large number
,endments the house passed the tax
ch. ifssion bill, about which there has
been a great row from the time it was
presented from the ways and means COM
mttee, several days ago. The vote was
two-thrds or more in favor of the meas
ure.
The bill requires that there shall be
commission of three. appointed by the
governor, which must meet in every coun-
ty in the state every year for the pur-
pose of equalizing the taxes. This COM
1ssion will have power to investigate
,very feature of the assessment situa-
II IN and fix values and while the MEM
b ,rs may consult with local county Off
8, they are not obligated to be gov
! led by what they say.
The taxpayer will have the right to
appeal from the levy of the commission
to the circuit court and from that to the
supreme court. The recourse here is as
general as that in any other litigation. On
the other hand, the commission will have
tho power to go into every line of evil
dcnce to ascertain what man is worth
and to put value on his holdings.
Has PIensry Power.
a, bill. aas. plenary aid equisitoliai
covers, in the opinion of many members
of the house, some of whom opposed it
vigorously. 1t applies to personal prop
erty of every kind tangible and intangi-
BILE assets and is so framed as to reach
everyone of the lines of taxation that
have not been keeping up with the pro-
cession SO far as paying just taxes is
concerned.
There is this kind of case to be
reached by the workings of the commits
sion A man has a factory that is max
ing enormous profits but is valued at a
nominal sum- what it would cost to
put 1t back If destroyed. The bill will
come in and make him pay on what the
very right is worth to him, as well as
the value of the plant itself.
Yet another kind of holding to be
reached is that of the big land owner who
will not let his property out for i'm
provement 1t will be classed and valued
at what it might be- all things consid-
cred. If developed.
Those who fought the bill were Tun-
STALL Lee of Houston. and Sample. John,
Maner and Wolff were the principal fight
ers for it. Hoffman of Mobile. also hit it
a few jolts
Governors Measure.
ure of the governor. 1t is understood, and
one for which he has used all his pur-
suasive powers upon the members. BY
the working of the measure it is expected
that the revenues 7 the state will be
raised at least s4oo.0Y which will be need
ed to take care of che many appropria-
tions being made for the schools and
old soldiers.
There is an impression that the opera
ton of the law will not fall heavily upon
the little owners. or more properly speak
Ing, the small farmers and property hold
ers. on the other hand. it is expected
that the large corporations will be hit
hard and made TO pay much more of the
tax than is now being received from that
part of the tllable vineyard. That seems
to he the opinion of the men who have
studied it most
1t is anticipated that this commission
will have to do largely in making opera
tive the new law taxing intangible as
sets Sittinss will be held at the capitol
for all matters that are state wide in
cope and foreign in residence, so that
1ere will no doubt be many hearings
re TO get at just what is meant by
angible assets. and 1t is very likely
the most of the returns just here
be after the tax commission has
<ed them out.
An Alleged Trust.
snatsr Leith. the vigorous young MEM
from Walker, took up the entire
sday morning session of the senate
a motion 10 take from the adverse
Idar the resolution he introduced
days ago looking to an inyestiga-
of an alleged fertilizer trust In the
e. He wanted commission named to
during recess to go into the matter
| make report at the reassembllng of
body next July.
Mr. Reynolds had the pay proposed in
creased from 81 to so per day.
Mr.. Hinson tried 10 have a substitute
passed that the work he done by the at
tornev general, Mr.. Gum: that the at
torney general, commissioner OF agricul-
lure and president of the convict board do
Me work Mr.. Thomas proposed the same
san as Mr.. Gum. with the secretary of
de substituted for the convict man. All
y voted down. even TO an amendment
Mr. Blackmon that the governor be
I'D to the body.
- Mr. Leth fought his way to the goal
fall the time. aud seemed TO have his fight
won. when Mr. Reese moved to send the
whole matter TO the judiciary committee
TO investigate its constitutionalty. this
being questioned because 1t would have
the legislature creating lucrative offices
which members of the body would enjoy.
Leth Wins Out.
At the afternoon session the resolution
came up again and the motion 10 recon-
nit to the committee on the Judiciary
saied. Then the resolution was passed.
1t provides that the question OF ferti-
lize- prices be investigated by com-
mission of five. who shall receive ~ "A
day. the motion of Mr.. Reynolds to make
Il 80 being recalled. Every feature of
lC0NTINUED ON PAGE ID