Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-07-23

The bill as passed takes away the
power of the state tax board to pass on
| appeals on future tax levies and pro-
vides that in case of controversy over
tax levy that the circuit court OF the
county be called in as arbiter.
Several amendments, as agreed to By
the finance committee Of the senate,
were added to the bill as it was passed
by the house, when it was called up for
passage under suspension of the rules.
Minority members Of the senate Joined
with the majority in passing the bin,
following a thirty minute caucus Of the
DEMOCRATIC senator's, to discuss the
amendments as reported by the fnance
committee.
| MANY, DON'T VOTE
OWN OPINIONS.
In explaining their vote on the meas<
ure, many OF the senator's declared that
they We're not voting their own opinions,
but that n view of the circumstances,
something had to be done at once
I'm my OPINION this is the best way
to get out of a serious stuation," said
Senator Cravens.
~ do not like the bill, for the reason
that It mixes the powers and duties of
the taxing units of the state with those
70 the judiciary, but as something must
be done at once, I vote aye"
Senator Douglass. in explanation of
his affirmative vote, said that this was
+ the best bill that could be framed for
getting the state out of this difficulty
The state constitution fixes the duties
Of the judiciary, but as something must
Senator E. P. Elsner, and you cannot
make any laws here that will fix addi-
tiona1 duties"
The amendments will do more to clip
the power Of the state board of tax COM
mlssioners than any other measure vet
introduced since the creation of this
arbitrary board
IL was the aim Of the Johnson bill, as
passed By the house, to protect the power
OF the state tax board IN the making OF
future tax levies by giving the board the
nnal word when appeal is taken from To-
cal taxing units.
The senate amendments wipe out this
appeal power
The amendments provide that in case
OF an appeal the Judge Of the circuit
court of the county shall sit as arbiter.
This removes the power of the state
tax commission to decide any tax levy
on appeal.
When any number Of taxpayers, noe
less than fifty, and who-are affected by
saeh leyies, file petition wi h the proper
officers Of taxing unit. sstting forth
that In their opinion the proposed tax
levy is insufficient to yield necessary
revenue, or that the tax levy will result
In more revenues than is necessary, the
circuit judge Of the county is to be called
In to sit as an arbiter
After evidence is submitted whatever
finding is made by the arbiter, shall
be final
CLIP POWERS
OF TAX BOARD.
These amendments absolutely clip the
powers of the state tax board and re-
turn to home rule" said Senator Luke
/ Dufey Of Indianapolis.
1t is pointed out by republican sen
ators that Warren T. McCray, republican
candidate for governor, stands for the
return of power to local taxing units.
When the finance committee reported
the amendments to the senate, efforts
were made to suspend the rules, but this
failed when the minority members de-
manded time for a conference.
Senators Elsner and Cravens stated
that they had no desire to delay action
on the bill, but insisted that they
Should have at least thirty minutes to
confer on them.
On motion of Senator English of Mar.
ion county the minority members wars
given half hour and the senate took
a recess until II 80
This was the second recess taken by
the senate after convening at 10 o'clock.
Action on the measure was asked at
once by Senator English, who stated
that the senate should pass the bill and
send 1t back to the house immediately
BY this manner" said Senator Eng.
hsh, mo further delay would be occa-
stoned"
DRASTIC ACTION
TAKEN By SENATE.
Drastic action was taken by the senate
in giving the local taxing units the
power to issue bonds for which petitions
now are pending before the state board
of tax commissioners.
Tho senate accomplished this by strik-
ing out of the Johnson bill the provision
in section 4, giving the state board the
power of determining the issuance Of
bonds, and amended it to read as fol-
lows:
On taking effect of this act. any mu-
nicipaI corporation through its proper
legal officers may issue such bonds or
other evidence of Indebtedness as it may
deem necessary, as provided by law, and
also provided that the state board OF
tax commissioners shall certify back to
the respective municipalities ell petf-
tionS for bond issues now pending be-
fore said board, and said municipalities
may proceed with the issuance of suvh
bonds, according to law, without the ap-
prOval of said board of tax commits
sioners.
This sweeping action of the senate re-
ttores the complete tax levying powers
formerly vested in the staet tax board to
the local taxing units and gives the local
unit power to issue all bonds and other
evidences of Indebtedness.
Another amendment passed by the SEN
ate gives the governor power. ''for good
and sufficient reasons" to remove any
member Of the state board Of tax COM
mtssioners.
In amending that section of the bill
which provides for the exemption of GER
tain bonds, notes and mortgages from
taxation, the senate voted to include from
such exemption all bonds, notes, mort
cages and other evidences Of tndebted>
ness, heretofore or hereafter issued and
Continued on Page Sixteen.)