Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1915-01-14
IMPORTANT TAX
MEASURE OFFERED
HOLDS INCREASE IN MILL TAX
LEyIES TO FIVE PERCENT
FOR FIRST YEAR

measure in the house opening the
way to increased assessment of pro-
perty in North Dakota without caus-
ing inflated salaries of officials based
on assessed valuation, increasing the
CITY bonded indebtedness, and revenue
to state educational institutions and
funds now on special mill tax basis.
Westdahl's bill holds increase in mill
tax levies to five per cent for the first
wear and ten per cent for the second
year over the present fund. The
same provision holds true with refer
ence to debt limits, salaries, ETC., all
being limited to . seven per cent in
crease in 1915 and five per cent more
in 1916.
Other Levies Restrained
Levies for special purposes in coun-
ties and cities also are restrained In
the same manner. This bill would
permit the state board of equalization
to replenish the state treasury.
Representative Hedalen offered q
bill providing eight year terms for
supreme court justices.
Representative Tallack offered q
measure providing penalty for max
ing sale Of bank statements.
Representative Everson's bill would
create non-partisan legislative and
county officers elections.
Senator Kirkeide introduced bill
today fixing state officials terms ct
four years, limiting the treasurer and
governor to one term, fixing the su-
preme court terms at eight years, and
maintaining the legislature at the
present limits of membership.
Representative Lathrop's resolution,
asking an investigation into the
states finances, both with reference
to finances in general and the state
educational institutions, was submit
ted to the appropriations committee
by Speaker Hanson, after the house
had authorized him to take such steps.
Senator Lentz offered q set Of res
olutions covering four year terms for
state and county officers. 1t is the
third set of such bills introduced in
the senate.
Stock Land Question
A resolution offered in the house,
if adopted, would approve the govern.
homesteads for North Dakota. It is
shown that there are over 100000
acres of stock growing land in the
western end of the state, and the
opening of that land by the govern
ment would make increased wealth
for the state.
First Petition
The first petition, involving the
death penalty, reached the house this
afternoon, the petitioners asking the
abolishment of capital punishment.
Senator Vail proposed a joint COM
mittee of six members to investigate
the report of the expert accountants
now on file with the governor and
recommend whether such accountants
work should be extended to other
state departments.
Reduced Membership ...
Senator McLean's five concurrent
resolutions relating to four-year terms
for state officials, ETC., include several
novel features.
The senate membership would be
limited to between rs to 40, and the
house to between 40 and rs. Sena-
tors would hold their seats eight years
and representatives four years.
The first legislative session follow.
ing the adoption of this proposed
change would be permitted to con.
tinue 12O days, and sessions there
after would be limited to 80 days
The salary would be $40 per day.
All county officers with the excep-
ton of sheriff and county treasurer
would have four years, the two excep-
tions being placed at two years. Al.
state officers would have four year
terms.
Nothing except the reading Of the
bill was done by the senate state af.
fairs committee in its first meeting,
with the Bronson employers liability
act up for consideration.
The ladies aid of the Methodist
church will hold one q ftheir non,11ar