Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-08-07

fit to violate the laws of Vermont in manifest effort
to embarrass the State the collection of the increased taxes
imposed upon those public service corporations by the Legs
lature Our people, if dissatisfied under protest
and secure correction OF the tax.
If the involved great the taxes out of pro-
portion those paid by Others the situation would be entire
y different matter of fact the express companies had
doing enormously profitable business for and
paying absurdy low taxes into the State treasury of YER
mont and their in refusing for months to file the
bonds their taxes required by our laws the small
exhibition tho part of great corporations have
noted in long time nothing of the bad example set
by them in refusing to obey the law.
The difficulty of reaching foreign voator of the law
like express companies fully evident upon brief
consideration These companies only have their head
quarters outside of the State but they also depend upon rail-
roads for equipment and the hauling Of their traffic from one
section another that is not easy for authorities
to get at them.
In the next place the question is what course to take
if reach them AS already indicated in these
columns the law provides that where foreign corporation
neglec comply with the law in the respects hitherto
poted be prevented from doing further business
in the State.
enforcement of provision might work greater
business interests in Vermont than to the express
companies themselves for in this want quick trans
portaton of many things especially necessaries of life
Any consideration of the possibility that the posto1ce
department may eventually extend its service to meet this
need does help solve present problems although the course
pursued by these public service corporations well calculated
to help the public in preparation for the taking over
of such business by the government
Readers of the Free Press may read elsewhere how
President of the United States Express
eve will make earnest effort to comply with the
of the Interstate Commerce Commission for general
reduction by October 49, though he thought would
physical mpossbty accomplish the task within the
period named
The significant point that President Roberts did not
defy authorities but the contrary expressed
disposition comply with the order for lower rates. and
other companies represented as concidng with his
views
The action Interstate Commerce Commission, al
most concident with discovery Of the true situation in Yer
mont the most drastic that could possibly be taken with
reference these public service corporations yet they rea-
lie the cutting Of melons in addition to enormous
dividends made resistance their part ndeensbe
from financial standpoint and they do not care to DEFY the
authority of the federal government particularly at this time
when Bureson is talking about extending
the postal package service.
The action taken by the California public service
mission in summariy ordering marked change in rates in
that State almost simultaneously with the of the fed
era body though slightly in adance makes it absolutely i'm
possible for the companies to plead that their
is controlled by either of the federal State bodies
as defense against the others order for reduction They
get the reduction in either event.
This Vermont situation is in which the express
companies justly plead interstate Jurisdiction The ques-
ton is of rates regulating service but of complying
first with simple law regarding procedure in guarding Yer
mont's financial interests and paying taxes.
Vermont corporations comply with the laws go out
business One question whether the Vermont authorities
be deed by such public service corporations
press companies for months and enjoy privileges denied
corporations.
This is than question of money viola
ton OF law however 1t is assault upon dignity
Vermont and afront to people, these companies
suppose because they rich and live beyond the ursdc
ton of our courts and other State authorities they defy
he people of Vermont they in error
in like this the authorities warranted in TAX
ing vigorous action 1t cannot be pleaded that express
companies have been dealt with too hasty too sum-
mary If they think they cannot be reached they have
not studied the constitution of Vermont which formu-
lated by farvsoned for of the independent
and spirited bodies of people in America.
No State has dealt so lenieny with the express COM
panies and indeed with all foreign public corporations
has Vermont but they should therefore,
monters will not stand vigorously dignity and our
rights.