New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-23
NEW JERSEY FACES
DIRECT TAX FIGHT
Fielder Calls on Party Lead.
ers to Help Avert Threat
ered Deficit.
AUTOMOBILE BILL
IS UNPOPULAR
Governor to Hold Conference on
Subject To-day-Finds Reeve.
nue. Plans MakeShiftS.

From a stan Correspondent OF The tribune
Trenton, y J.. March New Jersey
is 10 have direct state tax after all
After weeks OF foolins with revenue rails
ing measures. most OF them makeshifts'
Governor Fielder has called conference
Of Democratic leaders for tomorrow 70
Law before them the financial condition
OF the state and urge the imposition OF
direct state tax as the only way ous of
the dilemma.
Most OF those summoned 10 the pow
wow are men who fought with President
Wilson when ne was Governor and II N
believed they will support Mr.. Fielder, ana
thus settle question which has kept the
politicians on the anxious seat for many
weeks.
Governor Fielder, according to his olo"
friends. has all along believed that a d.
rect tax was the only honest way 10 tahs
care Of the threatened deficit in thu
states funds IT is known that he has
never had much sympathy With tha
roundabout ways OF getting FUNDS when
some Of the Democratic leaders had sus-
gested. Now that there is no chance OF
getting these makeshift bills-such az
the raid on school funds-through the
legislature the Governor has summoned
to-morrows conference for the purpose
Of getting them 10 stand back OF the DE-
rect tax.
The Governor, IL is believed. will point
out TO the conferrees the unpopuiarity OF
such measures as the automobile tax
and tell them that so long az their plans
have failed it is up 10 them 10 stand
back Of him.
Politicians, as a rule. get nervous pros
tration when direct state tax is men
toned. because they fear that its effect
politically on the party responsible for
it Is fatal This would probably be true
in New Jersey were II not for the condl-
tons that now exist, which are such AZ
the present time that Governor Fielder
can insist upon direct tax without los
ing the least bit Of prestige
The non-partisan combination that has
been formed among the Republican and
Democratic bosses 10 defeat the Pierce
bank tax bill in the House puts Governor
Fielder in a position that IL almost i'm
presnable The Pierce bank tax bill
simply makes the banks pay a tax SINH
lar to that paid by the banks In New
York.
The non partisan combination that Is
fighting the bill iu the House is interest
ing There is David Baird. Of Camden,
and ex-GoveInor r. {. Stokes. Of this city.
each Of whom thinks he is the Republican
leader Of New Jersey. Joining hands with
Jim" Smith, Of Essex. Baird, stokes and
Smith are, each one of them, presidents OF
hanks. and their mutual Joining together
in this issue In which the people OF the
state are vastly interested, IT is said VIII
be helpful 20 Governor Fielder
Baird and stokes have whipped the Re
publican Assemblymen into line by fore
ing a caucus and lining them ND against
the bill. "Jim" Smith. through his smokes
man. Jim" Nugent has been able 10 hold
a number OF Essex Assemblymen In line
and between he and the Republicans the
bill has been tied up.
In effect the Preece bank bill adds about
81 900. 600 to the revenues OF municipal
ties II a direct state tax is imposed %
raise 100000. the amount paid by the
Municipalities will he offset by the taxes
collected from the banks. IL tho bank
hill fails. il means that the money will
have TO come out OF the taxpayers pock-
cts and the banks Will go on escaping their
fair share Of the burden. The Republican
Assemblymen have it in their power to
pass the bank bill