Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-07-12

bv counties and that it had no right to
except from the increases money, In
tangible or any other particular class OF
property.
WILL PRESS PETITION
FOR REHEARING OF CASE.
fled and will be earnestly pressed. No
decision, however, can be reached be-
fore the October term of the court.
In the meantime, a chaotic cOndi-
ton obtains in the final affairs of
the various taxing units of the state.
This unfortunate situation can not be
met by further litigation, but an AIDE
Quate solution can only be furnished
by the general assembly.
To permit all the horizontal increases
to be set aside would result in gross
and widespread injustiees, would make
necessary the examination Of every tax
return in the state affected by the hor-
izontaI increases, the making Of new tax
duplicates and the writing of new tax
throughout the state and
sufficient increase in the tax leyies to
meet whatever reduction would result
from the change, with the inevitable re-
suit that all property not affected by
the horizontal increases would be taxed
much higher than other classes Of prop
erty SO affected.
1t IL very apparent that many tax
ing units of the state would be unable
to complete the financing Of necessary
extensions of their school facilities on
account Of the lower bonding power and
the reduced revenue resulting from the
decreased assessed values
1t is conceded that the general as.
sembly could have given the tax ooard
the power to do exactly what II old 40
1t is also clear that IT can now
Iegalize any act of the tax BOARD that
1t could have authorized when the law
was passed.
1 am persuaded that the legalliEng
of the acts of the tax board called
in question by the litigation, pre-
sents far less difficulty and VIII re-
suit In fewer injustices than any
other course.
recommend. therefore. that the
acts of the tax board in making the
horizontal increases be legalized. that
provision be made in such act so that
any taxpayer whose property has
been assessed at more than its true
cash value by reason of such IN
creases may have the assessments
corrected and the property placed
upon the duplicate at its true value.
This will correct the existing sitEa-
ton insofar as the general assembly mas
power to correct II and viii make II pos
sibie for any person whose property by
horizontal increases has been assessed
beyond its true cash value to have ths
error corrected and the injustices cured
The unusual financial situation thai
exists at this time makes IL Impossible
for the various taxing units TO sell bonds
ot the rate of interest fixed In the va
rlous laws authorizing such bond is
sues. This has resulted in delaying i'm
provements already begun and ma kln I
impossible other improvements vital 4
the best interests Of the state.
l recommend that law he enactef
raising the rate Of interest on all pub
WOULD ABOLISH
EMPLOYMENT b. REAU.
When the present employment burea'
was completed, special emphasis was lai'
upon the fact that It was necessary q
have a separate bureau for the purpos
Of finding employment for soldiers ani
those who were released from employ
ment by the termination Of the war.
The employment commission is unan
imOusly OF the opinion that the commits
sion should be abolished and ] full,
share in that opinion.
!, Therefore, recommend that ihe pres
ent employment commission immedlatei,
be abolished and the supervision OF tn
employment bureau be placed under tn
Jurisdiction OF the industrial board. Tht
action will save the state a considerable
amount Of money and not in any wa.
interfere with the efficiency Of the EN-
ployment bureau.
The ratification OF wOman's suffrage
which viii undoubtedly be consummatei
In time for the women OF the countr,
TO vote at the next general election, vii
nacessitate certain changes ia our election
laws
/ recommend. therefore. that sucl
amendments be- made to the law as ar
necessary by thfs~ amen dment 10 the fe,s
eTsl constitution. 4 non-partisan com
h. ha,du N
the two leading parties to prepare Ger
tain bills and these viii be submitted T.
you for your consideration.
The attention of the general ASSEMBLE
is called to the critical condition OF tn,
coal industry and especially as 1t af
fects the state institutions.
The purchasing committee advertised
for bids in the latter part OF June. Th'
lowest bid they received at that TIM
was $3.50 per ton for coal. The presen
situation is due largely to the shortage
Of coal cars and the congestion of thu
the state are operating not to exceed q
per cent Of their capacity, which results
In very high operating costs, shortag'
Of coal and permits the operators TO die
tate prices If the state had sufficien
ears to operate a mine 100 per cent o
its capacity and could operate a MIN
exclusively for states use through pur
chase. lease or otherwise. 1t would no
only enable the state to purchase its Goa
at a very large saving over presen
prices, but would guarantee to the STAT
a constant and ample supply of coal o
uniform quality for the institutions o.
the state.
ASKS FOR 100000
TO Buy COAL NINE.
7 recommend. therefore, that an ap
proDrfation he made of 100000 to be ex
pended by the joint purchasing commit
tee by and with the consent of the gov
ernor for the purchase of coal cars anf
the purchase, lease or operation OF 4
coal mine and that the committee b'
GIVEN the mower of eminent domain 81
as to take<SVer the minN by condemna
ten if it should be found necessary t'
do-sO-
In connection OF the recommendation
for authority to purchase. lease or oper
ate a coal mine and having in mind TN
feasibility of working out the situation
in some other way even should sucl
authority be granted the executive,
recommend that the power possessed b.
the public service commission of indiana
70 give preferential car service to tiV,
stock and perishables. be extended so al
TO include supplies furnished the various
state institutions.
Since the return of the railroads t.
private ownership and operation, the In
terstate commerce commission is about
to restore TO local authorities full contro
over the distribution and movement o.
cars. When this has been accomplished
the power herein asked for the public
service commission can be used so al
to assist the state in furnishing the state
institutions with their necessary sup
plies.
The depository law of Indiana shoulG
be amended so that all funds Of every
kind which come into the hands of the
treasurer or clerk or any Other
public official by reason of his office
shall be deposited under the depository
law. This law, if enacted. should only
apply to those officials to be elected al
the next general election.
This extraordinary session has been
called to meet certain grave emergencies