The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-07-30


 The governor lost his grip over the taxing machinery provisions. It had not been expected and when the cleav- age appeared it was quite a surprise to both sides. Soon after debate began on the Smith amendment to restore the tax assessing laws repealed in 1915 jockeying began. Efforts to adjourn, to put off until another day further con- sideration of this chapter to table the amendment and many other dilatory permitted. e?urbd-iitGea
 motions were made and arguments of varying lengths made on motions upon which arguments Were permitted. At one time the house was in the utmost confusion and votes were called. Much time and study was required in ex- blaming just what the question was.
 The defeat of the taxing machinery proposed in the new bill throws the whole measure into confusion. It may have to be rewritten from beginning to end. Certainly all sections relating to the assessment and equalization of property will have to be rewritten.
 Judge Murphree of Etowah, chair man of the budget committee, who has been called upon to explain the meas ure at all hearings, stated after ad- journment tonight that the taxing ma chinery ran like a thread through the whole measure and that in his opinion the entire bill would have to be re- vised and re-drafted This will take time, probably week or ten days. It it not likely that the revenue measure will be passed earlier that the middle of August and perhaps not before Septem- ber
 The action of the committee of the whole today is interpreted to mean that other features of the bill will be amend ed or stricken out. It may result in the defeat of the administrations whole four year programme. The appropria- tions, all of which have been th-held pending the adoption of a revenue measure, are now endangered, it is claimed by Some of the members The governor, having lost control of the house in this one respect, it is be- lieved that his grip can be broken again At least the opposition to cer- tain features feel very much encourage ed tonight. They see some hope of se- curing relief from the proposed bur densome taxes provided for in the bud get committee bill
 WRANGLE OVER EXEMPTIONS
 Heated argument occurred over the shipbuilding, water power and cyanamid plant exemptions, which were finally eliminated from the bill, money on de- posit in bank and solvent credits and credits of value, percentage of valuation of property and the taxing system. Judge Smith of Greene succeeded at the morn- ing session in having the exemption clause in so far as it relates to money deposited in bank and solvent credits and credits of value eliminated, but in the afternoon this clause was restored to the bill on motion of Representative Tunsta,i of Hale.
 The ways, means and appropriations committee recommended that the sections exempting shipbuilding, water power and cynamid plants from taxation be stricken out and after a long and acrimonious dis cussion participated in by a dozen or more members, the sections were stricken out by vote of 4S to 30. The machine showed itself to be in good working order and when the section exempting manu- factured articles, including pig iron. ir the hands of the producer of manufac- turer thereof and at the place of produc- ton or manufacture, shall be exempt from taxation for twelve months after it's production or manufacture, was reach- ed Representative Tompkins of Houston moved to strike it out. Representative Benners of Jefferson moved as an amend ment that all exemptions was nothing more than a stroke at their own industry of the Birmingham district.
 What good will it do you to strike ar the iron industry in the Birmingham dis 1 trict?" asked Mir. Benners. "If you want | to destroy it, why don't you come out in the open and make the destruction cer- tain at one stroke?" The amendment striking out exemptions allowed farmers served to bring the wire grass statesman l to his senses and he withdrew his notion to remove manufactured articles, includ- l ing pig irxn, from the exempted list. The