Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-31
ANALYSIS Of TAX
BILL IN SENATE
Advocates Claim Senator Rabbit
Has Solved Problem of
Double Taxation.

Montpelier, Oct. Every general inter-
est attaches to the subject of tax legisla-
ton. which seems likely to dominate the
weeks la%wmaking at the capitol.
Analysis of the talk In the lobbies
would seem to show that on the tax
question. as at former sessions. nearly
every man has his W very definite and
at times rather unique opinion regarding
tuxation matters. Already there are be-
fore the Legislature several bills Of the
fiat rate or intangible type, none of
which would seem to conform wholly to
the promises in the party platform, or
that would give the relief promised.
should they become laws. Some Of these
have the disadvantage OF being quite
elaborate and somewhat too theoretical
to appeal strongly to the average hard
beaded m legislator.
The bill, which. in the discussions thus
far heard In the Hobbies, seems to have
met with the most favor in this connec-
ton. Is the tax exemption measure intro
duced in the Senate Monday night by
Senator Babbitt OF Windham, which
provides for exemption from taxation of
al loans made on Vermont real estate at
the rate of interest of five per cent. or
less.
This measure promises, according
to It's advocates. to be OF much benefit
in the future development of Vermont,
and especially for farming sections.
the rural communities. the agricrl-
tural interests and the small manu-
facturers throughout the State. who
need additional money at a lower rate
Of interest. Should this measure be
come a law, it's intent AMI probable
result. its supporters say. would be D
retain Vermont money in Vermont.
making 1t much easier for the Yer
mony farmer to borrow money with
which to improve and develop ais
farm. the professional man, the clerx
and the laboring man to borrow money
with which to BULL their own homes
the manufacturer to further develop
his business and to improve hrs CON
ditions and increase his employment
OF laboring men.
a law very similar in it's provisions
has been in successful operation IN
New Hampshire for the past "
years. and in Massachusetts for a con-
siderable longer period. Its effect in
these States has been very beneficial
AMI fa~rreaching.
This Is one of the measures so strong
lv advocated by Governor Fletcher
from the platform during the recent
state campaign.
Another cOmmendable feature is that
brought out by Senate Babbitt, in an
interview this afternoon. in the fact that
IT practically does away with the So
called double taxation" which has for
n generation been one of the greatest
burdens of our present system of taxa
ton. and which has been more censured
and condemned by the average taxpay-
or than any other feature of Vermont's
present taxation laws.
Senator Babbitt said further that he
believed that his bill would go far to-
wards keeping Vermont boys and girls
at home in Vermont shops, and on YER
mont farms, engaged in her varied in
t~erests, taking advantage of and bene-
fitting by the greatly added Opportuni-
ties which this measure would afford.
TOWNS TO BE EXAMINED.
Montpelier. Oct. 29.-The joint special
committee, appointed under a joint reso.
luton to select not to exceed 80 towns
in which the tax commissioner shall pro-
cure data relating to taxation Of personal
property. and the amount OF deductions
claimed on account of debts OWING, has
designated the following cities and towns
J arton, Jamaica,
Eelvidere, Montpelier,