The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-31
That Is Plea Oil Men Make to
Members of the Legislature.
Harvey of Clark Introduces. Oil
Tax Bill in the House.
IT MEANS Big REVENUE
Measure Requires Fourth of
Gross Output Go to State.
A Royalty on Natural Gas Also
Is Provided For.

Thousands of dollars a year in new
revenues for Kansas counties, town
ships and cities would be provided un-
der a bill in the house hopper today
by Representative Harvey of Clark
county. The measure provides roy
atty on gross production on all oil and
gas in t. state.
Harveys bill calls for a royalty of
one-fourth a cent a gallon on all oil
produced in this state. 1t also calls
for a royalty of one-fourth of cent
for each 1000 cubic feet of gas
None of the money would go to the
state, but would be paid directly into
the general revenue fund of the local
assessing district.
Based on estimates by oil men, the
Harvey bill would produce several
hundred thousand dollars a year addf-
tional revenue. There is among law
yers, however. a decided question as
to the constitutionality of the measure
and if the bill comes back from the
committee it is quite likely that red
hot fight will be staged on the floor
when the bill is called up for passage.
Producers Object.
Oil and gas producers threaten 70
seek amendments to the bill provide
ing for royalties on all coal, zinc and
other mineral productions. Threats
have also been made that amendments
will be offered calling for royalties ON
gross crop productions in retaliation
If farmer members seek to put spe-
cial taxations on specified mineral
productions. At present a royalty is
collected for oil. gas, sand and other
minerals taken from the beds of navi-
gable streams of the state. No effort
has been made, however, to collect
spe tial tax for mineral predictions on
private property or land owned CT
controlled by producing corporations.
Under the Harvey bill the special oil
and gas royalty would be collected
directly by the township, city or coun-
ty in which wells are located and
would be paid directly into the local
treasury.
! Mortgage Exemption Dead.
Rv a vote of 76 nays to 10 ayes, the
house today killed the Caudill bill
providing for exemption of mortgages
from taxation. The bill had made IS
wav thru the committee of the Whole
only to be slaughtered on final roll
call House members refused TO re-
duce the amount of taxable properly
in the state and gave the CaudHl bill
the worst beating of the year.
Amendments Monday.
House members have sidetracked
consideration of constitutional amend
ments until next week. Under a mo-
ton by Maci. of Harvey. all amend
ments will be considered Monday
morning at II O'Clock. number OF
members have planned to go home Or
visit state institutions this week and
the constitutional measures will so
over until next week.
May Build Dor1nitorics.
Wilmoth of Cloud county. has pre-
scented bills to the house extending to
state schools corporate power and per-
hitting them TO issue bonds for e.'ec-
tlon of dormitorles for Students
Rentals from the dormitofies snail be
used in retiring the bonds. Bonds is
sued for dormltoTy purposes are linz
lied under the Wilmo1h bill to $780,
90 for each school.
Record Fire Policies.
Fire insurance companies must rec
ord with the register OF deeds all fire
insurance policies in each county The
record must give the name, address
and description of property owned by
insured. 1T must also set forth the
amount of insurance written on the
property.
Must Teach in the Country.
I County superintcndents must have
+ mad seven months actual experience IN
/ rural school Work if the Legislature
adopts a provision by Highlands II
Harper county. The blind member
/ county superintendent to have taught
five years prior to their election. At
least one OF the five years must have
been spent in rural school work.
| Vagrancy Crime.
t Representative Nick Johnson of
Franklin county would make vagrancy
a rnisdemeanor punishable by state
courts His bill is directed against the
invasions of 1. w. w. and other labor
organizations. Under provisions OF
/ The bill person who refuses or fails
to work when there is work to do, or
who interferes with or interrupts the
work of others. may be held by the
court to be vagrant and fined and
sent to Jail by the district court.
! Ohio Suffracjsts Predict yfctory