The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-04-24

tion OF a bill The underlying bone OF
contention. however, was doubtless
that so-called ad valorem tax bill APP
plying TO telephone and telegraph
companies. When the session was re-
sumed last week hostiities were re-
newed and were continued with grow
ing intensity until Wednesday. The
tension was slightly relieved when the
house committee on general taxation
reported out the house bill on this
subject
This bill differed from the measure
which had already passed the senate
only TO the extent that IL exempted
telephone companies whose receipts
were under $1,000 per year, whereas
the exemption In the senate bill was
$500 The so-called insurgents saw
In this action OF the committee a
chance to precipitate a deadlock, for
the house might pass It's bin only 20
find the senate In a mood TO stand pat
on the bill Il had already passed.
Governor VIII Sign the Bill.
II was not until Wednesday. when
the house general taxation committee
reported ont the senate bill, that peace
was restored The senate bill was at
once taken up for consideration and
passed without amendment and with
but FIVE dissenting votes. n will now
20 10 Governor Warner for his sigma
ture, which viii be promptly affixed.
Hereafter, therefore, instead Of paying
a specific tax on revenues collected
within the state, The classes OF COM
panies named VIII be assessed on an
ad yalorem basis, only companies
which do not collect 10 exceed $500 per
year being exempt Another feature OF
the bill provides that I'm reporting for
taxation express companies can COM
pute only land mileage instead OF land
and water mileage as under the pres
ent law
II r. claimed by some that the new
law IL unconstitutional because Of The
exemption noted. Attorney General
Bird does not share this belief and
furthermore submits that even though
the exemption clause may be invalid
that fact would not destroy the bal
ance OF the law lie says that the
courts would simply direct that the ex-
emption provision be ignored and all
companies taxed on an ad valorem
basis
The controversy mentioned was a
fierce one and for time bid fair to
continue throughout the balance Of the
session. Now that the real cause Of
the trouble has been overcome, matters
are In goo0 shape and bid fair TO run
smoothly throughout the balance Of the
session. Just when the end Will be
reached ~ considerable Of a problem.
The indications are that the hope OF
the majority OF the house when they
adopted a resolution TO adjourn May
will not be realized. SO much Inn
portant legislation remains 70 be cared
FOR. n is dihcult 20 see how the calen-
dars can be cleared before the end Of
May
A measure Of as much general in
ierest and importance as any which
suf awaits action on the part OF the
legislature II that which will provide
home rule for the municipalities Of the
state This subject was one OF the
principal ones discussed during last
years sessions Of the constitutional
convention and II has been very much
IN the public eye ever since. being con-
sldered extensively al the last annual
meeting of the League OF Michigan
Municipalities and at conference OF
mayors of cities. legislators and MEM
beers OF the late constitutional conyen-
ton recently held IN Detroit. The leg
q.