New-York tribune., 1908-02-11
HUGHES TO ASK REMEDY
FRANCHISE TAX MESSAGE.
"Poy, Then Litgdte, HIS altitude
Tosvard Corporations.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune. J

sent to the Legislature by Governor Hughes ad-
vocating legislation to remedy this evil. Inc
Governors attitude toward the corporations con-
testing these assessments is known to be ray
then tigate."
A bill was passed last year requiring any cor
poration before going into court to contest an
assessment to show it did not at that time owe
any franchise taxes Coupled with that proV1s-
ion another that since franchises are taxed
as real estate the valuations should be SUBJECT
to equalization the real estate values
This measure got to Governor Hughes among
the thrty-day bills. He approved thoroughly
of the first section but disapproved the second.
because while the law recognizes "equal1zatlon
it does not recognize anything like taxation un-
der the full value, which is what the "equaliza-
ton" of franchise values would amount to- so
the bill was killed in the omnibus Veto
There is no doubt that bill requiring COM
panies to scome into court with clean hands
or clean slates far as franchise tax debts are
concerned-would meet the Governors approval
Members of the Attorney Generals staff say
that this would be constitutional that it would
have a retroactive effect far payment of
the taxes is concerned and that it would yield
to New York City some $20OO0,OO0 in taxes
now unpaid.
NEW YORK CITY BOND BILL.
Another scheme to relieve the city of New
York from its present difficulty in disposing OF
bonds is set forth in bill introduced tonight
by Senator P. H. McCarren, which would ex-
empt such bonds from state taxation. They are
already exempted from everything except state
taxation and this would make them free from
assessment by any subdivision Of the govern
ment.
A bill introduced by Senator Foelker provides
for the review by the Supreme Court Of the re-
| fusal of the Police Fire Commissioner of New
Yok City to rehear charges against members
of their respective departments.
Senator "Christy' Sullivan offered bill max
ing insurance companies responsible for state
ments made by their agents.
Under the provisions of bill introduced by
Senator Gates. banks could invest in personal
securities and stocks other than those now
specified in the banking law, which are federal,
state, county, city, town or village bonds. This
is one of a series Of bills relating to the bank
ing question which Senator Gates introduced
"by request
Another of the series would permit state de-
postories to furnish federal, state. county or
municipal bonds security for deposits. in
stead of bond of a surety company, as now re-
quired.
The third one would limit Indictment for
crime committed In fiduciary capacity to
two years after it is discovered. The present
law requires indictment within five years OF its
commission.
A bill introduced by Senator Grady provides
that no railroad whose route on private way is
less than one hundred miles in length shall
merge with any other road without the consent
of all the stockholders of each of said COM
panies.
FAVORS FAIRS IN CENTRAL PARK.
Agricultural fairs In Central Park are one OF
the possibilities under the provisions OF bill
introduced by Senator Gilchrist, appropriating
S5OOOOO for the promotion of agriculture Or
this sum the bill provides that S25oOoo SHAH go
to the AGRICULTURAL societies and the balance to
the dissemination Of agricultural knowledge In
first and second class cities" The dlssemina-
ton is to be accomplished by exhibitions in these
cities.
In Introducing the bill Senator Gilchrist took
occasion to score the Hart-Agnew anti-race
gambling bills. appropriating S25oooo for the ag-
ricultural societies, saying that more good "ouo
be done by educating the residents of New YORK
CITY to an appreciation of country life lie
thought residents of New York would hock TO
the abandoned farms, after two or three dis
seminations"
The Senate unanimously passed the SAKE BILL
providing for an appeal to the courts where the
Police Commissioner of New York City refuses
to grant a theatrical licenses
Assemblyman Merritt introduced bill aboi-
tshing the Board of Canal Appraisers. IN ac-
cordance with the recommendations Of Governor
Hughes and substituting a special examiner and
.nnraiser To be appointed by the Superintendent
of Public Works and paid from the barge Canal
fund, Another bill amends the barge canal law
70 make the method Of appraisal of canal lands
conform to the new system OF offices.
The anti-horse docking bill has appeared
again with Assemblynan Hart, of Utica as its
father 1t makes the docking of a horses tall
q noisdemeanor. punishable by from $50 to 5000
fine or thirty to ninety days Imprisonment. or
hotb The same fine applies if a horse is docked
with ones consent his property or If he is
nresent at the operation. 1t Is a misdemeanor
10 have custody of the horse or to have 1t on
ones premises after the docking or before the
wound is healed
FOR STATE BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Two bills each seeking to create a state bu
reau of pensions, were introduced by Senators
Cassidy and Owens The Cassidy bill provides
for the appointment of a commissioner of pen
sions at an annual salary of $4,000 year, and
would establish pension scale for Civil War
veterans of S. $40 and s12 month for soldiers
sixty sixty-fve and seventy-fve years old.
spectively It provides that any soldier who
is an inmate OF a state institution who is
receiving over $40 month pension at present
from federal municipal sources or both. or
who fails to support his wife. shall not partici
pate in the pension. The bill must first be ap
proved by the voters at the next general cleo
ton.
The Owens bill includes militiamen who
wounded In state service well veterans,
and provides a scale of SS, $40 and $12 month
for veterans sixty-tWo. seventy and seventy
five years old The pension commissioner is
made appointive by the Governor. Under the