The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-07-23
SPECIAL SESSION
OHIO LEGISLATURE
CONVENED AT coLUM5Us-cALL-
ED BY GOVERNOR JAMES
M. COX.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE READ
Taxation Matters Only Were Taken
Up in Message-opposition Shown
BY Republican Members.


Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Columbus, GA special session of
the Ohio legislature, called by Gov.
Cox, to take up taxation matters, con-
vened Monday morning. Taxation was
the only matter touched upon in the
governors message, which was read to
the assembly. The Democratic mem
bers are virtually a unit in their de-
iensive tactics, and will resist the ef-
forts Of the opposition to inject ex-
traneous matters into the session,
which they think will not last longer
than three days. Those Of the men,
bers of both parties were on the
ground early. In addition to the re-
duction Of the state levy there were
two other collateral matters recon-
mended for consideration by the gov
ernor. These are the elimination of
the 1915 premiums for the state work
mems compensation fund from the pO-
litical subdivisions OF the state and
protection for oil and mineral rights in
school and ministerial lands. Half a
years experience has demonstrated
that the compensation premium OF 1
per cent Of the pay roll one year Is
sufficient for at least two years, and
that the, 1914 collections will be ample
to pay awards for injured public en-
ployes subject to the act. The school
situation Is being considered at the
instance Of State Auditor A. V. Don
ahey, whose Investigations led him to
charge that there is danger that the
school funds may lose by appropria-
tion Of valuable oil, mineral and tim
Der rights by private individuals in vio-
lation Of the publics right to the prop
erty, There is some sentiment among
Republicans in favor of joining with the
Democrats in the reduction of the tax
rate, save possibly the portion devoted
to the maintenance of the common
school fund The argument that the
schools will be harmed is regarded by
Democratic leaders as having been de-
stroyed by the administration Demo-
cratic legislators saying they will dis
pose of the argument against the new
law by showing the school fund of 80
for each enumerated pupil may be
taken from the general revenue fund
of $8,000,O00. Compelled to witness
the seizure by the majority of i'm.
portant strategic positions, the minor
ity is said to be ready to make a new
and bold stroke. This will be a de-
mand upon Gov. Cox to permit the
general assembly to restore the Smith
l per cent tax law by repeal of the
Fitzpatrick act of 1918, or the substitu.
tion of the plan for creation of a coun-
ty board of estimates, as originally
contemplated by the governor and
Democratic leaders. Opportunism is
controlling the leadership of the Re-
publican minority of the general as
sembly.
Republican members discussed ex-
traneous resolutions following the re-
ceipt of the governors message. One
of these, drawn by a former attache
of the house, now connected with the
bureau of a state candidate is said to
provide for an investigation of the dis
bursements of the appropriation made
for the relief of the food sufferers of
1918. At that time $500,0OO was voted
and only about one-half of the sum
spent. The avowed purpose of the
resolution is to fix the base for a
charge that favoritism was shown in
the disbursing. This, too, was cata-
logued by the majority as political
bunk" More astute are other mooted
maneuvers. One of these is to go far
ther than the governor proposes in
the reduction of the state tax levy by
moving to eliminate it entirely for
1915 and run the schools and the good
roads improvements out of the unex.
pected balance in the treasury. Still
another is proposal to increase the
exemption of personal property from
$100 to $500, which Is measure that
is advocated by the Progressive party.
This would exempt many of the mil
lions recently placed upon the dupli.
Gates under the Warnes law from tax.
alton. The line of attack upon the
financial policy of the administration
being debated is to offer a resolution
demanding an accounting of the ex.
penditures of the state government for
the past six months. This is in line
with the campaign assault of Con.
gressman Whitacre, who has been de.
manding the recommendation by the
governor of joint resolution appoint
ing committee of investigation to in
quire into alleged extravagances. II
is said that all of these matters came
before the Republican conference be
fore the legislature convened.