New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-20
Travis Opposition Fails to
Show When Legislature
Receives Measure.
CALLED VICTORY
OVER REACTlONARlES
Vote Expected To Be Reached
in Both Houses Within
Ten DAYS.

Albany. Jan. 49, Governor Whit
mans tax reform bill, accompanied by
special message urging its adoption
was received by the Legislature to-
dsv with no more opposition than MI
noritv Leader Wagner Of the Senate
could muster. The failure Of the Travis
contingent o. the Republican side 10
show itself was taken by friends
az the bill 20 mean that the Governor
had triumphed in his first fight with
the reactionaries o. the party.
But the other side OF the story -
that there is an evident desire on the
part OF Republicans IN both houses 10
try % avoid a quarrel Of any sort To-
night there was little talk OF anything
else I'm the hotel Hobbies but the Cover
nor's tax reforms and the POSSIBILITY
Of Controller Travis being able 10
arouse imposition az the eleventh hour.
senator Flon r. Brown. the majority
leader Of the Senate. said ne INTENDED
20 submit the bill 90 tax experts among
his own constituents before taxing any
stand on 70.
Nsioritv Leader Human. OF the As
sembiv. said that he was neither Tor
nor against the bill, not having studied
&c.
- the committee hearing, Of course, 10
voice his objections 90 the bill he
said "If he can prove that 10 Is more
economical 10 collect the corporation
taxes through his Office than through
The proposed tax commission Shal
be in favor of keeping the corporation
bureau where it is now
AboHshes Present Board.
Senator Emerson introduced the bill
IN the Senate and Majority Leader Hin
man introduced 70 IN the Assembly. The
bin abolshes the present State Tax
Commission and creates state az
Departmeut. 20 be presided over by
three commissioners 20 be appointed by
the Governor. The bill provides that
The first appointees are 10 hold ONCE
for one. two and three years, from
January !. 1915. their successors being
appointed for full terms OF three years.
The president OF the commission IS 20
receive $4,000, and his associates $4,000
each. The commission may appoint a
secretary at $4,000. Il may also ap-
point such deputy tax commissioners,
experts and other employees as may be
necessary and FIX their salaries. All
such appoiutees shall be in the civil
service. The following bureaus are
established by the bill:
Corporation taxes. franchise taxes,
mortgage taxes, local assessments.
equalization and statistics and such
other bureaus as the commission may
deem necessary Each bureau IS TO be
In charge Of 2 deputy tax commissioner.
The commission may require local as
SCISSORS OF tax districts 20 meet with
the commission at least once IN two
Years 20 consider matters relating to
taxation. 20 secure greater uniformity
Of valuation throughout the state ana
TO discuss desirable changes IN the law
Powers of Commission.
Among the proposed powers Of the
commission are the following; To con
fer with and advise assistant and d.
rect assessors and other othcia $
charged bv law with duties relating "a
the assessment OF property for taxa
ton: 10 furnish local assessors with
necessary instructions; 10 compile and
publish statistics relating 10 state and
local taxation and assessment, and 70
have general supervision OF the assess
ment Of property for taxation through
out the state.
The duties now conferred on the
State Controller in relation 20 the as
sessment. determination, revision, re-
adjustment and imposition OF corpora
ton taxes under Article IL of the tax
law are transferred 20 the State Tan
Department, except those relating 70
the collecting of corporation taxes as
sessed and the refunding of such taxes
paid.
I'm mis- message advocating the bill
which was drafted by Professor Bull
lock of Harvard: Lawson Purdy and
ex-senator SAKE, Of New York, and Pro
fessor Seligman, Of Columbia, the Gov
ernor said:
BY dividing the work among the
various bureaus. each in charge or q
deputy responsible for its work. the
commissioners will be relieved OF
much responsibility for details and
will be able 10 give more time 10 the
larger problems with which they have
20 deal in working out a thoroughly
comprehensive plan Of tax administra-
ton and in studying and recommend
ing changes In the substantive law
making for a scientific and practical
tax system
Corporation Taxes.
For the present the Governor would
leave the collection OF corporation
taxes 20 the Controller
Ultimately" he said. "in develop
ing the comprehensive plan, 10 will be
found advisable TO transfer 20 the
State Tax Department the other tai
assessing functions from the Con.
troller's department. but in view Of the
other increased duties placed upon the
tax commission by this bin il seem,
desirable 10 delay any further change
OF this kind until the actual organiza
ton OF the State Tax Department ha,
been put in working order and tested.
Senator Wagner said the measure
had been drafted by men who ex
pected 20 be the chief bencfciaries OF
the legislation and he strongly de
Tended the position OF Controller
Travis.
He also saw in the bill menace t,
the Legislature.
This bin means" he said "th'
strengthening OF the power OF th'
Executive 70 the belttlement OF thu
legislature think there is a menac,
in this sort Of bill. and II this sort o.
thing continues. il ultimately MAJ
mean the destruction Of the Legis
lature.'
The bill will probably come up foi
vote in both houses within ten days
Phone Wire Thieves Busy.
Morristown, y. j.. Jan. 10. The New
4 4 Il q. =.