The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-02-20
Bill Will Be Reported FaVOr- ably By the House
 Committee
ASSESSMENT BOARD
 MAY BE CREATED
Favorably the Bill to Increase Pen- sion Appro oprlatlon-Code Commission Members.
 Assessment Board.

 Montgomery, February 19.-(Speclal)- It is of importance to all the business interests of the state that the house committee on ways and means has agreed | oreport favorably the bill to tax in- tangible assets of corporations, these be- ing the value to be set upon such things as franehies and rights of various kinds and the value of advantages that are not enjoyed by the people as a whole, This bill s very much feared by such corpora tions as furnish light and power and street railway faci.-trs The president of a corporation of that kind with capl- tai of $2,0OO0OO says that the bill will ih- crease his taxes as much as S2OO0 a month. which, with fixed charges already carried, would make it impossible to do business in the state.
 This committee has also agreed to favor the increase of tax on fire insur- ance companies from 1 per cent to 11a per cent on premiums and life from l per cent to 21g. A hard fight has been made to defeat this so far as the fire in con- cerned, 1t being shown first that the taxes and licenses are now 8 per cent of the business done in the state, and second that the tax comes out of the people who insure after all. IL Is understood that tho bin Is introduced with the knowledge and consent of the governor, who Is said to be in favor oe all it's provisions. number of insurance men have tried 10 defeat this proposition, but the commit tee Is to omuch committed to it.
 State Assessment Board.
 The ways and means of the house has voted to report the bill endorsed to pro- vide for q state board of assessment, or more correctly speaking, state equal izaton board. It's duties are to be to equalize the taxes so that one county will not have to pay it's share of the taxes and more. The same sort of bill has been introduced In the senate by Mir. Sragins. MT, Spragns said of his bill: "I had it in mind when l came here to move for some such proposition. Unless there is a better equalization Madison county is going to cut It's assessment half in two. We are sixth in the value of farm lands when we should be about half way tho
 
 are given in at S2 and rented for $4 q year There is no fairness about this We want a board that will get the coun- ties on the same basis and will make every fellow carry his own canoe."
 The governor is in favor of something of this kind, and it is understood he figures that 1t would increase the in- come of the state the taxes on about s75,- O00,000 of valuation.
 For Old Soldiers.
 The senate committee has agreed to re- port the bill to increase the appropria- tion for the old soldiers from s473.250 last year to about $S00,0o0 This provides for raising the amounts each class is to re- ceive Under the old law they are receive ing $G0 for first class; $50 for second; $40 for third and S30 for fourth. The new bill increases these amounts to $1O0, SSi, SG4 and $50, or about that amount, the ex- act division not yet having been settled upon.
 In this connection 1t is interesting 10 note that the ways and means committee of the house has agreed to recommend that the pension matters be given over 10 a state board of pensions to look after. This commission could investigate and see that every man or woman entitled to aid received it, and at the same time pre- vent those who do not deserve 1t out This would mean also county commissions for the same purpose
 The municipal bill of Senator Strother has been reported favorably fr><fe sen- ate committee on municipal organizations. If is bill to meet emergencies, Nil, Strother says. while the general munici- pal bill fig being worked out It pro- vides for paving and all such improve ments.
 Rates for Service.
 Public hearing on tho bills to provide .tv.a. vice corporations has been set down for Friday by the house committee on munlei- pal organizatio
 The subcommittee of the sub-commit- = tee of the two public health committees have drafted a bill that they think will meet the desires for a tuberculosis sani- torium It provides for S9OO0O this year. s20000 in 190s sl5.OO0 in 19O9. and for 1oio. sl0000; after that s20O00 a year for nain- tenance. Out of the first funds mentioned the buildings are to be erected and the work begun. It is to be controlled by a. board appointed. two by the governor. two by the state health officer and two by the State Medical association.
 The senate committee on temperance has reported favorably a bil to require twenty-five householders and freeho,ders. who are bona 1de electors. to petition for license to sell liquors in any beat or town This bill was very much sought by the temperance people.
 The bill of Representative Parker to prevent the sale of coca cola In Alabama. has attracted a great deal of comment. He insists that he Is serious about it.
 Code Commission.
 There Is much speculation about possi- ble members of the recess code commis- sion and several members of the two houses are discussed fin connection with the service. The places are worth slo & s will have time enough to keep out of extra hard work.
 It is thought that the three from the Senate will be Lusk Merritt and Gardner,
 
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