New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-31
PASS MOTOR TAX
BILL AFTER ROW
Senators in Wrangle and
Thompson Threatens
Prendergast
SEES CONTEMPT
IN DRIVE TELEGRAM
,Argetsinger Fights Levy,
} Which Means Increase
: of 100000

Iron : star cOrrepOndsnt q The Tribunal
h Albany, Jan. 30.--The Senate debate
N.day on the Hewitt-Wells bill, which
4<ucreases the tax on automobile trucks
and motor buses by about $780, 900, did
not prevent the passage of the act, but
il resulted in two interesting develop
nents. One indicated an attempt on
the part of Senator George +. Argct-
Ringer. Governor Whitman's whip in
Yhe upper house, to rock the Republi-
can boat, piloted by Senator Brown.
The other gave promise that tomorrow
would produce some Thompson com
uittee fireworks staged for the espe-
,isl benefit of Controller William A.
Prndergast.
Senator Thompson limited tonight
that when he rises to q point of per
onal privilege tomorrow he might ask
tho Senate to cite the Controller for
.ontempt. He said he would reply then
y - MIR. Prendergast's recent telegram
- senator Burlingame about the pro-
/ >osed legislative investigation OF the
ivsTside Drive improvement contract.
80 telegram referred to "the COM
,tte which succeeded in convincing
"A rubHc that its investigation was
eing conducted by mountebanks and
! ,olitical self-seekers."
~ presume," said Senator Themp-
N "from what | know about the Eng
an language that ! am the one who
ss meant. shall have something to
Az about that tomorrow
Telegram Causes Trouble
The Prendergast telegram was i'm
sterial to the Hewitt bill, but IL took
considerable part OF the session )
rst extended debate. 1t came up IN
ktbe course of opposition TO the new
auto tax led by Senator Argetsinger'
Psnublican, and Senator Robert +.
agner, minority leader ,,u =.
X Senator Brown sponsored the PHI III
a absence of Senator Hewitt. Arget-
il myers principal objection was that
/. was being rushed through without
A. Senate k owing what It was DONG
Senator Wagner and Senator BUR
y inrame, Republicans, from Brooklyn,
td.elsred the proposed tax woulo De
u fsir 20 New York City.
H@|X he XII uNQtI uinNN1S4S ~
tax on auto trucks and auto buses
f'rom a fat rate of So to rate rang
Ring from SIS to $40 year, and II is
i <pected that il will raise about SoOo,-
I'D the first year and perhaps reach
Il 600 600 The bill was rushed to pas
&c in order to prevent confusion IN
he Secretary of States office when the
motor vehicle taxes become collectaple'
&bn Thursday.
Senator Argetsinger bolted the reser-
Walton first He said that the tax was
levied on the prosperity of commercial
activities Of the state. Senator wagner
Asupported him.
Tax Looney, Cullen Says
Ithas been stated." said Senator Gull
"thst this Legislature is tax looney.
:. as looks like it. This ought TO be
q eAifled ~ act to hamper and tax IN
Z iBstry.'
The opposition TO the bill became SO
enuous that Senator Brown asked
, recess to round up his forces,
lie the Senate was taking rollcall
find out if the Republicans wer"
rong enough to pass the bill. Tie
ergesnt-at-arms found few much
needed votes in the corridor, and the
kcess was called off. The bill was
*sssed by vote of 20 to IA.