El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-02-24
Texas House
FaUOrSAiding
Oil Industry
The Senate Has Passed
Two Drastic Measures
Affecting Business.

Austin. Tex. Feb. eEislation
( inimicaI TO the development Of the oil
industry in Texas does not appear to
be popular with a majority of the
/ lower house. and the sentiment among
: the members is apparently not in
] Gripping or hinderins but in promot-
ing and fostering this industry which
/ from present indications promises to
be the leading one in Texas within the
. next year or two
Discuss Tax on Oil.
IN the house today the entire morn
I ing session was consumed in the con-
[ sideration OF the house bill by TiHot-
I son and others which seeks to impose
! a . percent tax on the gross Ts-oduc-
Z ton by oil producers The bill came
I'D with a committee substitute fix
I ing the tax at . percent and, before
action was taken on the adoption of
I the substitute. Gaddis. Of Beaumont,
offered an amendment proposing q
graduated tax Of ~ percent on wells
producing 200 barrels a day or over,
. percent on wells producing 25 TO
50 barrels. = percent on wells 50 10
100 barrels, = percent on wells Of
100 TO $50 barrels and ! percent on
wells Of $50 10 200 barrels daily Dro-
duction- In support OF this amend
ment. Gaddis said that il was the only
way in which an equitable tax may be
levied and not inJure the small pro-
Queer
DO not pass a law which viii put
the small producer out OF business,
pleaded Mr.. Gaddis.
Representative John Davis. OF Dal-
las. opposed the graduated tax amend
ment on the ground that its constitu-
tionality was doubtful He favored
the committee substitute proposing a
= percent tax
Representative Mack Kyler, Of
Erath. had a communication read
from W J. Oxford. general attorney
OF the Thurber Coal Co. in which he
wrote that a . percent tax would be
injurious 10 the small producer. Mr..
oxford believed a I percent tax would
be just
Dud1ey's Cattle Bill Passed.
Senator r. n. Dudley. Of FL Paso, I
obtained the final passage in the SEN
ate today Of his bill carrying an ap-
preparation OF $4,000 for the live
stock sanitary commission to cooper
ate with the federal government in
stamping out tuberculosis among cat I
tie
The bill by senator Buchanan. Of I
Scurry. proposing the sale or lease by I
the state Of the minerals situated on I
state lands was considered This is I
the bill which seeks to increase the /
royalty 10 be paid TO state on mineral /
lands leased for prospecting purposes /
and also increases from 10 cents to 50 |
per acre the price OF mineral lands /
leases.
Soft Drink DeaserS Protest.
The senate was flooded with petit 4
tons today from soft drink dealers
throughout the state. protesting .
against the passage OF bills now pend /
Ing in the legislature Ievying a tax on .
such dealers
Senator NcNealus. OF Dallas. OBJ /
tanned the final passage Of his bill in
which he seeks to give landlords a
preference lien on all property to Sc
cure the payment Of rent The senate
also passed finally the senate bill
which seeks 10 give commissioners
courts the right TO increase the sal
zry Of the probation officer from $500
10 $1,000 a year in all counties having
2 population OF 100000 or more and
cities OF $4,000 population
A bill was introduced by senator
SEQ. W Dayton, OF GraysOn. propos-
Ing that dealers in paints. varnishes
and oils shall label the percentage OF
zach ingredient plainly.
On the other hand the upper branch
has already passed two measures
both by senator borough OF Bowie
which Il IS claimed may seriously af-
-ect the oil industry One Of these
proposes to extend the provisions OF
The present blue sky law so as to IN
slude unincorporated concerns, lin
ted partnerships and require the filing
with the secretary Of state Of plans Of
common law agreements
and other data before offering stock
or sale. while the other is considered
lrastic in its provisions and ap-
llies 10 all corporations. Incorporated
IT unincorpOrated. It also requires the
fling Of a bond with the secretary Of
a ~ 10 Hn A. i'm .
The first measure has been on the
OF the house for over a week
md every time Il IS called. there is
objection
The other measure has not as vet
leen reported B. the house committee
n private corporations. although
here IS a similar bill by representa-
i've Mack Taylor. Of Brath covering
he same subject which has received a ] ?
avorable report The other measures I
ffecting the oil industry. including
he gross receipts tax measure which
eeks TO impose a gross production
ak OF IL percent. have not as yet
leen considered in the house nor in {
he senate. Z
Lease school Lots for Oh.
Representative King Of Erath has {
btained the adoption in the house OF
resolution directing the attorney
-eneral TO make an investigation Of ]
epOrts that school trustees and 9TH {
Is in the vicinity Of the oil fields {
bout Ranger are leasing school dis 7
riot lots for few dollars coupled
With a small royalty" and others are
cling these royalties fro just enough
o pay expenses The members from 4
,rath wants the attorney general to / +
scertain by what authority such !
transactions are being made, and TO / i
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