The Tupelo journal., 1918-03-22
LETTER FROM JACKSON
Jackson. Miss, March 16, 1918.

much work mas Deen QOle. Lie
Senate very wisely put to sleep the
house bill which sought to impose a
state income tax law much more
drastic than the one now on our
statute books. This bill was much
more sweeping than the federal bill
which is now in favor to raise reve-
nue. for carrying on the war. The
bill was reported adversely out of the
committee in the senate and is now
dead.
The House voted to impose a state
tax on all money loaned at 6 per cent.
The advocates of the bill contended
that the law would bring out of hid
ing much of the capital that now es-
capes taxation. I did not think that
the six per cent law should be dis
turbed and voted against the bill.
Some %contended that the poor man
who borrows small amounts does not
get the benefit of six per cent mony
but is made to pay 8 and 10 per cent
by some hocus pocus in fixing up n
papers. Many people do get money
at 6 per cent and T thus enabled to
buy farms and homes which they
could not buy and own unless they
get a rate of 6 per cent on deferred
payments. I feel that it would be
better to penalize the dishonest mon
ey lender who extortions on the poor
devil who has to have a small amout
by refusing him the vehicle of the
law to collect his debt than to place
an extra burden on the shoulders OF
the man and his family who are max
ing an honest effort to get a home
and provide for the future welfare
and comforts of the family. The bill
as it passed the House carries the
state tax whatever that may be.
She six per cent loans will have to be
listed for taxation. This will give
the lender about five an a half per
cent for his money and the result will
be not to raise revenue for the state
but to drive money out of the state.
People with money can buy road and
swamp land and municipal bonds that
bear six per cent and are not taxed.
A concurrent resolution proposing
to amend Section 241 of the State
Constitution making women qualified
electors, was before the Senate, land
was made the special order Friday
morning. A number of Senators be-
lieved that the people should be Civ
en- a right to settle this matter at the
polls. The vote stood II and 21 and
the deciding vote was cast gaalnst the
resolution and so the matter is dead
until another legislature assemblies.
A resolution was before the commit
tee on constitution in the House,
which seek to make women eligible
for places on the board of trustees of
state and county schools and the
e~lemosynary institutions of the state.
This resolution was reported favor
ably, out of the committee, but un-
less the House has experienced a
chance of heart since the last session
the resolution will not be submitted
to the people at the polls. Another
constitutional amendment was passed
favorably through the committee
which seeks to provide for the CLASH
fcaticn Of property for taxation by
amending section 112 of the State
Constitution. This is a very merito-
rious proposition and will doubtless
go through.
Jackson has been stirred this week
by patriotic speakers from different
parts of the country. Major General
Sage, commanding Camp Shelby at
Hattiesburg and his aids Major Nor
ris and Major Davis, appeared before
a Joint session of the House and Sen
ate and made stirring appeals. Gen.
| Sage. is not a great speaker, but Ma
Tor Morris is a soul-stirring talker
| and thrilled his hearers with fervid,
patriotic talk.
The National Council of Defense
assembled in the hall of the House OF
Representatives Friday afternoon
with President w. Fl. Smith OF the
A & M. College presiding. The Hall
was crowded with representatives
from all over the state. This confer
ence was called for the purpose of
correlating plans for conducting war
work in the state, the production of
the necessary food, the conservation
of the food in the markets and in the
hands of the people and the proper
disposition of the same, the purchase
and conservation of coal and other
matters that relate to the war. Prof.
Scherer of the University of Chicago
aJLrorcad tho accop,blv cayinC thara